Innovations and Un-Islamic Customs in Muharram – A Shar‘i Guide

Innovations, Customs, and Shar‘i Guidance in Muharram​

Written by: Qari Usama bin Abdul-Salam

Muharram – A Month Misused by Innovations and Foreign Customs​

Muharram is one of the sacred months in Islam, during which many great Islamic events took place, especially the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (RA). Sadly, many have turned this month into a season of innovations, imitation of non-Muslims, and un-Islamic rituals.


Below is a review of such practices—particularly imitations of Shi‘i customs and Hindu traditions—from which every Sunni Muslim must abstain.

Common Innovations and Imitations in Muharram​

1. Azadari, Mourning, and Chest-Beating​

• Chest-beating, lamentation, self-flagellation with chains (zanjeer zani).
• Resembling the mourning rituals of disbelievers and non-Muslims.

The Prophet ﷺ said:


لَيْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ لَطَمَ الْخُدُودَ، وَشَقَّ الْجُيُوبَ، وَدَعَا بِدَعْوَى الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ
(Bukhari 1297, Muslim 103)
"He is not from us who slaps the cheeks, tears the clothes, or calls with the call of the pre-Islamic era."

2. Wearing Black Clothes as a Sign of Mourning​

• Adopted as a Shi‘i identity symbol during Muharram.
• No evidence from the Prophet ﷺ, the Sahabah, or Ahl al-Bayt.

3. Tazia Processions / Carrying Flags​

• Making tazia (a model of Imam Husayn’s tomb) is taken from Hindu customs.
• Disrespectful to Ahl al-Bayt, as it reduces their remembrance to idol-like objects.

4. Noha (Lamentation) and Wailing​

• Men or women reciting poetry to incite crying and emotional outbursts.
• Practiced despite the Prophet ﷺ’s clear prohibition.

5. Considering Muharram Unlucky​

• Avoiding marriage, business, or joy during this month.
• Contrary to the Qur’an, which declares all months appointed and sacred. (Surah al-Tawbah: 36)

6. Exclusive Mourning for Imam Husayn (RA)​

• Remembering only Husayn’s (RA) martyrdom while ignoring other great martyrs among the Sahabah.
• Battles like Badr, Uhud, and Yamamah also saw many Companions martyred—no such exclusive mourning exists for them.

7. Distributing Water as a Ritual of Worship​

• Serving water in Muharram due to the “water blockade” sentiment.
• While giving water is a good deed, making it a Muharram-specific ritual is an innovation.

8. Special Foods (Haleem, Sweets, Niyaz)​

• Distributing food in the name of Imam Husayn (RA) as niyaz is a bid‘ah.
• Nazar is an act of worship and must be for Allah alone.

The Prophet ﷺ said:


مَنْ نَذَرَ أَنْ يُطِيعَ اللهَ فَلْيُطِعْهُ، وَمَنْ نَذَرَ أَنْ يَعْصِىَ اللهَ فَلَا يَعْصِه
(Bukhari 6696)
"Whoever vows to obey Allah should fulfill it, and whoever vows to disobey Allah should not fulfill it."

9. Processions with Music and Drums​

• Processions, special clothing, and musical instruments influenced by Hindu practices.
• A mockery of Islamic values and a resemblance to disbelievers.

What Should Muslims Do in Muharram?​

1. Observe the fast of ‘Ashura (9th and 10th Muharram) – Sahih Muslim 1132.
2. Uphold patience, piety, reform, and sacrifice.
3. Avoid all innovations and rituals not from Qur’an and Sunnah.
4. Remember martyrs without engaging in un-Islamic mourning.
5. Keep children and youth away from bid‘ati environments.
6. Maintain equal love for both Sahabah and Ahl al-Bayt.

Conclusion​

Most Muharram rituals today are innovations adopted from Shi‘i, Hindu, and non-Muslim customs. Avoiding them is obligatory.


Shar‘i Principle:
Any act not established from the Prophet ﷺ or the Sahabah, when made into a religious ritual or custom, is bid‘ah—and every bid‘ah is misguidance.


"Every bid‘ah is misguidance." – (Muslim 867)