Muharram ul-Haram – Significance, Rulings, and Historical Events

Muharram al-Haram – Significance, Rulings, and Historical Events


Written by: Qari Usama bin Abdul Salam

❖ What is Muharram?​

Muharram al-Haram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Qur’an.

1. Muharram in the Qur’an​

Allah ﷻ says:


إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّهُورِ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًۭا فِى كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ… مِنْهَآ أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌۭ
“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve… of which four are sacred.”
(At-Tawbah: 36)


According to the Mufassirīn, these four sacred months are: Dhul-Qaʿdah, Dhul-Ḥijjah, Muharram, and Rajab. Muharram is the third in sequence among these sacred months.

2. Muharram in the Hadith​

(A) Muharram – “The Month of Allah”​

The Prophet ﷺ said:


أفضلُ الصيامِ بعد رمضانَ شهرُ اللهِ المحرَّمُ
“The best fasting after Ramadan is in the month of Allah, Muharram.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1163)


Calling Muharram “Shahr Allah” (The Month of Allah) is a sign of its great virtue.

(B) Fasting on the Day of ʿĀshūrāʾ​

The Prophet ﷺ said:


صيامُ يومِ عاشوراءَ، أَحْتَسِبُ على اللهِ أن يُكفِّرَ السنةَ التي قبلَهُ
“Fasting on the Day of ʿĀshūrāʾ, I hope from Allah, will expiate the sins of the previous year.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1162)

(C) Differentiating from the Jews​

The Prophet ﷺ said:


لَئِن بَقِيتُ إِلَى قَابِلٍ لَأَصُومَنَّ التَّاسِعَ
“If I live until next year, I will fast on the ninth (of Muharram as well).”
(Sahih Muslim)


Note: It is better to fast on 9th and 10th Muharram or 10th and 11th Muharram.

3. Conduct in a Sacred Month​

Avoid:
① Murder, fighting, disputes, foul language, sin, and oppression
② Innovations in mourning, chest-beating, wailing, and shirk-based rituals
③ Extremes in expressing love for Ahl al-Bayt

4. Recommended Acts in Muharram​

Act	Evidence
Fasting (especially 9th & 10th)	Sahih Muslim
Nawafil prayers, charity, seeking forgiveness	General virtues
Reciting Qur’an	Spiritual benefit
Piety and God-consciousness	At-Tawbah: 36

5. Important Historical Events in Muharram​

(A) ʿĀshūrāʾ – 10th Muharram​

① Salvation of Musa (AS) and Bani Israel

• On this day, Allah saved Musa (AS) and drowned Pharaoh.
• The Jews observed fasting on ʿĀshūrāʾ.
• The Prophet ﷺ said:
  
  نحن أحق بموسى منهم – “We are more deserving of Musa than they are.” (Bukhari)
  

② Martyrdom of Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī رضي الله عنهما – 61 AH

• The tragic incident of Karbala occurred on 10th Muharram.
• Though it is a painful historical event, Shari‘ah does not allow innovative mourning practices.

6. Protection from Innovations & False Beliefs​

Wrong Practice	Islamic Ruling
Chest-beating, self-flagellation	Haram
Exaggeration in mourning Imam Ḥusayn (RA)	Un-Islamic
Distributing special foods (e.g., niyaz, khichra)	Bidʿah
Ritual mourning gatherings	Not from the Sunnah

Love for Imam Ḥusayn (RA) is part of faith, but it must be expressed according to the Sunnah — free from cultural exaggerations and innovations.

Summary: Blessings of Muharram​

Aspect	Description
Status	Sacred month, “Month of Allah”
Special Day	10th Muharram (ʿĀshūrāʾ)
Acts of Worship	Fasting, nawafil, charity, dhikr
Prohibitions	Sins, innovations, excessive mourning
History	Musa (AS) saved, Husayn (RA) martyred

Final Message:
“Muharram is a month for reform, worship, piety, and learning lessons from the life of Ahl al-Bayt — not for innovations, mourning rituals, or exaggerations.”