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Muharram is celebrated by the Muslims
Muharram is the 1st month of Islamic calendar
Significance of Muharram
Muharram is regarded as the most blessed month for the Muslims. Muharram is popular as the Hazrat Iman Hussain who was grandson of Prophet Muhammad suffered during this period. So this period is commemorating martyrdom of Hussain. This lasts for the first 10 days of this month. On the 1st day of this month Muslims celebrate as their new year.
Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar and is always shorter 11 to 12 days than solar calendar. Therefore it has a little difference as compared to the Gregorian calendar; hence Muharram shifts from year to year.
History
Muharram is the month which has the most religious significance for the Muslims all over the world. The word 'Muharram' is considered identical with "Ashura" that is the 10th day of this month. Ashura is the most important day for the Shias and Sunnis. The Shia believes that on this day Hussain became martyr on the battle of Karbala in the 680 A.D. For Shia Muslims this day is called as the 'day of grief'. In this month the Muslims are not allowed to fight as it is said that it is unlawful to fight in this month. If people fight in this month legends say that it is 'haram' that is it is "forbidden".
In this month while Hazrat Imam Hussain along with his family and a number of followers was on a journey when there were surrounded by the Yazid, one of the Muslim of his time. As they were siege, they were deprived of food, water and money; many of them were put to death. This entire incident took place in Karbala after 61 years of Hijrah. Hence it is not a month to celebrate as the battle of Karbala began. The Shia Muslims consider it as a sorrowful month. While the Sunni Muslims celebrate this day as the festival and sacred day and "Ashura" is observed as a very happy day. The Sunni Muslims observers fast on this day because the Prophet Muhammad saw the Jews fast on this day, as Jews remember their freedom from Egyptians on this day. Hence forth Prophet Muhammad liked their tradition for he believed that Allah is the one who saved the Israelites from Egyptians. Sunni Muslims are suggested to fast on either 9th or on the 10th day of Muharram.
Celebration of Muharram
It was a tragic incident for the Shia that is the 10th day of Muharram so this is considered as the day of sorrow. This occasion starts from the 1st day of Muharram and continues till the 10th day of Muharram. For this 10 day they wear only black cloths, as this color is a color of mourning. For these 10 days the Shia Muslims keep themselves away from all the entertainment events that will distract their mind from remembering the sorrowful incident that had happened on that day. The first 9 days of Muharram there are Majalis that are conducted, where the Shias narrate the incident of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his followers. They fast for these 10 days and there are huge processions where the Shias beat themselves with chains, cut themselves with sharp objects and knife. During this procession they chant "Ya Hussain" loudly as they express their grief on the death of Hussain. This procession is popularly known as the 'Matam'. They also carry 'taziyas' that is a bamboo and paper replicas of the victim tomb. Along with this they also carry green alams that are the standards of Husain's army which are made up of gold, silver, brass and copper. These processions are carried through the town from each and every street.
Traditional food
As this day is celebrated as a festival for Sunni and for the Shia it is a sorrowful occasion so there are number of dishes that are prepares on this eve. Traditional food prepared on this eve are as follows Imli til ke chawal, pake gosht ke kabab, sheesh ke kabab, Biryani, khichada, kheer and special item prepared on this eve is the 'Chonga'.
Muharram is observed by both the Shias and by the Sunni Muslims. The difference between them is that for one observer this is a sorrow moment and for the other it is a celebration time.
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