Muharram: The First Month of the Islamic Calendar

By Ali Ahmed

Al-Muharram (ٱلْمُحَرَّم) marks the first month of the Islamic calendar. Succeeding the 12th month, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram marks the beginning of the new year for Muslims. The month holds significance for Muslims for several reasons.

The name of the month, “Muharram” provides us clues as to the sanctity of this month. “Muharram,” an adjective in Arabic, literally translates as “illicit, impermissible, forbidden” in English. Sometimes, the month is referred to as “al-Muharram-al-Haram.” With this name, we see the word haram which can mean either “sacred” or “forbidden,” depending on context. From both of these, we see that the month of Muharram is a sacred month in Islam, in which sins are discouraged to a greater extent and good deeds are encouraged.

In addition, evidence for the importance of this month can be found in the Quran. In Surah-at-Tawbah, Allah (SWT) tells us, “Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them…” (Quran 9:36). In the surah, Allah (SWT) refers to the four sacred months: Rajjab, Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, and Muharram.

In this month, Allah (SWT) has made several actions impermissible. For one, during Muharram, Allah (SWT) prohibits Muslims from war. In Surah-al-Baqarah, Allah (SWT) discourages war, saying, “They ask you about the sacred month - about fighting therein. Say, ‘Fighting therein is great [sin], but averting [people] from the way of Allah and disbelief in Him and [preventing access to] al-Masjid al-Haram and the expulsion of its people therefrom are greater [evil] in the sight of Allah. And fitnah is greater than killing…’ ” (Quran 2:217). In this ayah, Allah (SWT) prohibits warfare unless absolutely necessary.

Another important part of Muharram is the day of Ashura, which occurs on the 10th of Muharram. Yawm al-Ashura marks a day of mourning for Muslims after the death of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the son of Ali ibn Abi Talib. On this day, Shia Muslims often fast and Sunni Muslims are recommended to fast. This marks a period of mourning for Muslims on that day.

In addition, Yawm al-Ashura holds significance to the Bani Isra'il (also known as the Israeilies, or more literally the “sons of Isra’il”). According to the Quran, the Bani Isra’il were rescued from the Pharoah (Fir’aun) by Musa (AS) on Yawm al-Ashura. According to Sahih al-Bukhari, as narrated by ibn ‘Abbas, “The Prophet came to Medina and saw the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura. He asked them about that. They replied, ‘This is a good day, the day on which Allah rescued Bani Isra’il from their enemy. So, Moses fasted this day.’ The Prophet said, ‘We have more claim over Moses than you.’ So, the Prophet fasted on that day and ordered (the Muslims) to fast (on that day)” (Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Verse 222). As such, it is sunnah (reported from the prophet, but not obligatory) for Muslims to fast on the day of Ashura.

As you can see, the month of Muharram holds special importance and sanctity to Muslims around the world. As the month of Muharram is almost upon us, try to do more good deeds and gain more hasanat (good deeds) from Allah (SWT). In addition, during the month of Muharram, make an extra effort to pay close attention to any wrongdoings and make dua to ask for forgiveness of your sins. Insha’Allah, may Allah (SWT) forgive us of all of our sins and may he grant us all Jannat-ul-Firdaus.