The lunar year (Hijri) begins with the month of Muharram. In Islam, four months in a year are considered sacred. Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an, “The number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve (in a year)- so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred: that is the straight usage…” (Surah Tawbah, 9: 36). A hadith reported by Abu Bakar (RA) that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said that “The year is twelve months of which four are sacred, the three consecutive months of Dhul Qa’dah, Dhul Hijjah, and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab of (the tribe of) Mudar which comes between Jumaada and Sha’baan.” (Musnad Ahmad)

Importantly, this month is also considered as the month of Allah. Ibn Kathir (R) mentions that “Allah has chosen elites from his creation: from among the angels He chose Messengers, from among the mankind He chose Messengers, from among speech He chose remembrance of Him (Dhikr), from among spaces on earth He chose the mosques, from among the months He chose the month of Ramadan and the sacred months. So, venerate that which has been chosen by Allah, for people of understanding and wisdom respect that which has been chosen by Him.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer)

In Bangladesh, the Islamic new year has started on 09 July 2024 and, thus, Yawm al-‘Ashurah (the 10th day of Muharram) will be observed on 19 July 2024 this year.

The Islamic Hijri year is welcomed by the Muslims in different ways. As the year starts with sighting moon, Islam recommends making a du’a during sighting the new moon. “Allahu akbar, Allahumma ahilluhu ‘alaina bil amni wal i’mani was salamati wal Islami wat tawfiqi lima tuhibbu rabbana wa tarda rabbuna wa rabbuka Allah” (Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, bring us the new moon with security and Faith, with peace and in Islam, and in harmony with what our Lord loves and what pleases Him. Our Lord and your Lord is Allah.) (Jami At-Tirmidhi) Principally, Islam does not prescribe any act for celebrating new year as it does not bring anything good to us except making du’a for each other, seeking forgiveness from Allah.

The month of Muharram has become more significant to Muslims as it is considered a sacred month when war/battle has been prohibited. In the explanation of the above mentioned ayat (Surah Tawbah, 9:36), Ibn Katheer (R) mentions in his Tafseer that Qatadah (RA) stated to explain the Allah’s saying, “So, do not wrong one another during these four months. Wrongdoing during the sacred months is more serious and incurs a greater burden of sin than in other months....” However, it is agreed upon by Muslim scholars that if the idolaters start fighting against Muslims in these sacred months, it is, thus, permissible for them to protest it.

Based on the Qur’an and Sunnah, there were many historical as well as religious events held in the month of Muharram. Moreover, most of those events were occurred on the 10th day of this month which is called in Arabic ‘Ashura.

Moreover, after migration to Medina, the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) commanded His followers to observe fasting on the day of Ashura and a day more for contrasting the trend of Jews and Christians. A hadith revealed the story as stating that when the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) fasted on Ashura and commanded the Muslims to do likewise, they said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! It is a day that is venerated by the Jews and Christians.’ The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) replied: ‘If I live to see the next year, Insha’Allah, we will fast on the ninth day too.’ But it happened that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) passed away before the next year came.” (Sahih Muslim).

After the departure of prophet Muhammad (PBUH), one of the most disheartening tragic events occurred was Prophet’s grandson Hasan (RA)’s brutal murder along with all His family members in the Karbala on the day of Ashura. Even though about 1400 years have passed, Muslims do not forget the story and celebrate the day with grief and sadness.

We need to think over why the grandson of the Prophet (PBUH) died in such as tragedy and set our duties. The situation of our last breath is not important but our intention and acts. Success in this world is not important but to fight against wrong doers. Steadfastness in any crucial situation towards establishing justice is one of the most significant characters of a strong believer that was shown by Hussan (RA). It teaches us how much to be loyal and committed to a moral value and even to sacrifice the life for it.  

The month of Muharram brings many things to the Muslims. It is not merely the beginning of a new year; it creates many opportunities and brings hopes for us. Hence, we should make du’a for each other and observe fasting on the prescribed days and set strategic plans for making this year more fruitful. May Allah (SWT) help us to do justice to the holy month!

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The writer is a scholar in Islamic studies and researcher on Islamic views on contemporary issues. Email: [email protected]