It is one of the 4 sacred months of the Islamic Lunar Calendar
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. The word ‘Muharram’ literally means ‘forbidden’. This essentially denotes that due to the sacred status of this months, certain actions are particularly forbidden in this month. The word Muharram and Haram (the name of Khana e Kaaba) are derived from the same Arabic word, there both the house of the Allah and this sacred month share the association of being spaces of purity and worship, where every act, good or bad carries more weight compared to normal days.
War Is Forbidden In Muharram
Historically, war was forbidden during the month of Muharram, one of the reasons for that was that it was the time when Pilgrims from far off places were still returning to their homes. As Muslims are well aware, this command by Allah (swt) was not respected and war was waged against the Prophet’s (PBUH) grandson Hazrat Hussain (AS) during this month, culminating in the tragedy of Karbala.
Charity During Muharram
Because the decedents of the prophet were denied food and water during Muharram and because the month is highly scared and the first of the Lunar calendar, giving charity of food and water and fasting is highly recommended during this time. Particularly on the 10th day of the month, that being Ashura. As said by a beloved of Allah (swt):
“Whoever fasts Ashura it is as if he fasted the entire year. And whoever gives charity this day it is like the charity of an entire year”
(Ibn Rajab Lat’if al-Ma’arif)
Keeping this in mind, we at Ummah Charity International expand our charitable initiatives, particularly our food and water donation drives during the sacred month. The support of our generous donors during this time is what enables us to make this work possible, therefore we ask you to extend a helping hand this year, by donating your Sadaqah to those less fortunate than you.
The Tenth Day of Muharram
The tenth day of Muharram al-Haram is called Ashura. Shia Muslims observe it as a day of mourning to commemorate the death of the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, Hussayn Ibn Ali. According to legends, Imam Hussayn once raised objection to the legitimacy of caliph Yazid and revolted against him. This led to the battle of Karbala, and the beheading of the revolutionary leader and imprisonment of his family, on the day of Ashura in 680 AD. Sunni Muslims believe that the religious leader Moses led Israel through the Red Sea and got victory over Egyptian Pharaoh and his army of war chariots on the 10th day of Muharram. There is another belief that Adam and Eve were created by God on the 10th day of this holy month.