The holy month of Muharram has a great significance in Islam. This is the first month of the Islamic calendar. The first important and tragic incident took place when Hazrat Umar Radi Allahu Anho was stabbed with a knife during the Fajr prayer in Masjid e Nabvi (Salal Lahu Alaihi WaAlihi WaSallam). It was 26th of Zil Hajj, the last month of Islamic calendar. A few days later, on the very first day of the month of Muharram, Hazrat Umar (Radi Allahu) got martyrdom due to the severity of the wound and went to the eternal life in Heaven.

Hazrat Umar (Radi Allahu Anho) is not only admired by the Muslims but also by the non-Muslims for his administration, valor and strict adherence to Islamic teachings. The style of leadership and the implementation of the law impressed the whole world. The Umar Laws are still serving the humanity as the primary guideline towards the implementation of justice in the society.

The Great Sacrifice

The Islamic year starts from the reminder of the great legacy of Hazrat Umar (Radi Allahu Anho) and it follows the coming days with the reminder of another tragic event signifying the greatest sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (Radi Allahu Anho) – the beloved grandson of Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) along with his sacred family and committed companions, for the supremacy of Islam against the tyranny of Yazid and his devotees.

This particular event features the great sacrifice signifying the devotion of the grandson of our Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Unfortunately, this great sacrifice has been spoiled with many contradictory thoughts which ultimately divided the Islamic world. We should just focus on the spirit of that huge sacrifice rather than arguing on the details of that incident.

Everyone is the witness of the fact that even after more than a millennium, the dignity of the great Islamic figure, Hazrat Imam Husaain (Radi Allahu Anho) is admired and it will continue being eulogized forever.

As a Muslim, we should learn the lesson from the history. Hazrat Imam Hussain (Radi Allahu Anho)’s audacity and determination to stand against tyranny, falsehood and injustice of Yazid and his satanic group, gives us the lesson to remain with the truth and reject the falsehood no matter what the situation is. This great sacrifice also reminds us that life is not a bed of roses and we must remain prepared for the sacrifice in order to guard the dignity of Islam – the only true religion in the sight of Almighty Allah and its beautiful teachings.

Brief Account of the Event

After the death of Hazrat Amir Muawiya (Radi Allahu Anho), who was the companion of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), his son Yazid became the controversial caliph. Islam asks the Muslims to raise voice against unjust rulers and this is exactly what Hazrat Imam Hussain (Radi Allahu Anho) did. Hazrat Imam Hussain (Radi Allahu Anho) firmly rejected to accept Yazid as the caliph.

This was a huge setback for Yazid as he knew that Hazrat Imam Hussain (Radi Allahu Anho) was a mighty figure respected by all the Muslims. The people of Kufa originally invited Hazrat Imam Hussain (Radi Allahu Anho) and they promised to accept him (Radi Allahu Anho) as the new caliph. But things did not remain the same and the people of Kufa were tyrannized by the newly appointed governor.

Journey to Kufa (Iraq)

People in Madinah tried to stop Hazrat Imam Hussain (Radi Allahu Anho) from going to Kufa. They suspected that people of Kufa might not fulfill their promise. But Hazrat Imam Hussain (Radi Allahu Anho) did not reject the invitation as he (Radi Allahu Anho) thought it to be against the spirit of Islam to reject the invitation of other Muslims especially when they are being tortured.

Karbala was the place where things got worst and Hazrat Imam Hussain (Radi Allah Anho) knew the place where the war would take place. Karbala is situated at the bank of the river “Farat” (Euphrates). The Yazid’s army refused the access to the water for the companions of Hazrat Imam Hussain (Radi Allahu Anho). On the 10th of Muharram the torch bearers of Islam were brutally martyred including Hazrat Imam Hussain (Radi Allahu Anho) and his family members by the Yazidi forces. The Yazid’s army did not even hesitate to martyr the innocent children.

The whole tragic event reminds us that as a Muslim we must not hesitate to stand with the truth and righteousness. We should resist the evil and falsehood in order to glorify the dignity of the religion and humanity.

End of Pharaoh in Egypt

It was the month of Muharram, when Allah Almighty destroyed the last Pharaoh and helped and saved Prophet Musa (PBUH) and his followers. The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) advised the Muslims to practice fasting on two consecutive days during Ashura (the 10th of Muharram) as Jews used to fast on 10th Muharram for Hazrat Musa (PBUH)’s victory over Pharaoh. Fasting on 10th of Muharram signifies the gratitude to Allah for helping Hazrat Musa (PBUH) and his followers. By fasting on either 9th and 10th or 10th and 11thof Muharram, Muslims get distinguished from Jews, this was the core logic behind advising Muslims to fast for two days consecutively.

And Only Allah Almighty Knows Best!