Why Is Muharram Celebrated? History, Traditions & How to Celebrate at Home

Introduction: Why Muharram? The Meaning you Seek To Know

If you have searched “Why is Muharram celebrated?”, “Muhammad Moharram history and significance,” and “How to observe Moharram at home,” what you are really searching for is how to know one of the most sacred months in Islam.

Moharram is not a time for celebrating. If you open up websites, you would find a month of shoah, self-criticism, sacrifice, and spiritual rejuvenation. It is the start of the Islamic new year, where Imam Hussain, the Prophet’s child, died for saving the morality in the Battle of Karbala.

Moharram, especially the 10th Moharram, Ashura, is a very emotional event for what may be more than a billion Muslims across the globe.

Today people are also looking for how to share shock Moharram quotes, Ashura status, Islamic remembrance posters, and Moharram images and wishes. Creativity, like the Snap Visionary, the AI Islamic Quote Image Maker App, and the Festival Poster Maker App, can help convey the shock of Moharram remembrances with respect, dignity, and seriousness.

Let us look at why Moharram is a sacred month with its history and significance, traditions, and how to observe Moharram at home.

What Is Muharram?

Moharram is:

  • First month of the Islamic Hijra lunar calendar. 
  • One of the four sacred months in the Koran
  • A month of fasting and prayer (especially for Sunni Muslims)
  • A month of grief and remembrance (especially for Shia Muslims)

The word “Moharram” translates to the Arabic word meaning “forbidden,” signifying that during this sacred month, warfare was not practiced.

Common questions for this topic include

  • Moharram year
  • Why Moharram is sacred
  • Why Ashura is dead
  • Story of Karbala

Read more about the history of Moharram, the story of Karbala, and its significance in Islam. 

The history of Moharram: The story of Karbala

The Battle of Karbala

  • In 680 AD (61 AH), the Battle of Karbala was fought in Iraq, along the banks of the Euphrates.
  • Imam Hussain refused allegiance to the corrupt Umayyad ruler Yazid, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad.
  • Imam Hussain and his close family members and followers faced a vast army. Even though thirst and hungry, they stood for truth and justice.
  • Imam Hussain died on 10th Muharram (Ashura).

How is this event important?

Moharram and Ashura are associated with the fight against:

  • Oppression
  • Injustice
  • Tyranny and Agony
  • Morality and Dignity

This is why Moharram is not a holiday for celebration and feasting, but a time of sharing the pain and need for justice

What is Ashura?

Ashura is a:

  • Day of remembrance, grief and plea, observed on the 10th of Moharram
  • Day of prayer and fasting (sunnah) in the Sunni tradition.
  • The day on which Muhammad and the Israelites were saved from Firaun,  the Egyptian Pharaoh by Allah

Each of the 4 Islamic divisions have brought their own traditions to this day.

Moharram customs and traditions around the world: Why Is Muharram Celebrated

1. Majlis

Conversations by scholars and preachers about the lessons of Karbala, seeking moral improvement.

2. Processions (Tazia)

  • The holding of processions depicting the death of Imam Hussain.
  • The carrying of a “representation” of the shrine of Imam Hussain, the Tazia.
  • Wearing black for mourning

3.  Amiability and service

Distributing water, a sign of the thirst endured in the Battle of Karbala, known as Sabeel

4. Fasting

Most people fast on the 9th and 10th of Moharram as prescribed by Allah.

The spiritual importance of Moharram

Research into the “significance of Moharram in Islam” brings out the spiritual power of this month.

  • Patience in trouble
  • Defiance of injustice
  • Having moral discipline
  • Having mercy
  • Self-reflection and repentance
  • A time to refresh faith.

How to observe Moharram at home (Respectfully and Meaningfully)

Some Hindus, Muslims, and others may not necessarily go to large gatherings. They look for how to spiritually observe Moharram at home. Some options are

1.  Do Reflections about the story of Karbala

Read authentic readings about the life and sacrifices of Imam Hussain. Talk over the moral messages

2.  Say Prayers & Dalil

Offer:

  • Personal prayer
  • Quran reading
  • Request Allah for mercy

3.  Go on a fast during Ashura

Though Sunnis fast on the 9th and 10th of Moharram, it is also preferred to fast on the 10th and 11th of Moharram for many traditions.

4.  Do charitable offerings

Help the needy and ancient people with:

  • Buying water supplies for distribution.
  • Helping the less privileged in the community.
  • KJB. Brought to you by Khartoum Journal Bureau.

Meaning of Moharram and Ashura images and wishes on this day

People also want to share Moharram quotes and Ashura wishes on Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp with:

  • Islamic reflection posters
  • Karbala memorial graphics
  • Minimalistic Moharram status images
  • Bespoke Moharram graphics of consolation

All the above can be done by the AI Islamic Quote Image Maker App called Snap Visionary.

The ethic of Moharram: Snap Visionary App

The spiritual message of Moharram is the social message of every sacrifice made by Imam Hussain.

Ignore the extravagance of the festival and the idea of celebrating hardships of centuries ago, but remember the lessons:

  • Conquest of truth over lies
  • Morality over power
  • Truth over lies
  • Morality over villainy

And be sure to share your thoughts with others about the moral thread between life, death, and social stability when you share pictures for Moharram.

The message of Moharram extends beyond the Muslim faith.

  • It teaches us to prefer:
  • Fairness to force
  • Honesty to lying
  • Water to power. 

The story of Imam Hussain is one of history‘s greatest stories of morality.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions): Why Is Muharram Celebrated

1. Why are we commemorating Moharram?

Moharram remembers the beheading of Imam Hussain, the Prophet’s child, and the start of the Islamic New Year.

2. What happened to Imam Hussain on the 10th of Moharram?

He was headed in the battle of Karbala, where he was refused to surrender to the Umayyad, and died defending the truth

3. Is Moharram a time for celebration?

 Moharram is the Holy month with historic grief; it is not a celebration

4. How can I show respect for Moharram at home?

You can seek forgiveness and comfort from Allah, help the less privileged, read about the story of Moharram, share the lessons with family, recite the Quran, and share sincere pictures with friends on social media.

5. Is it compulsory to fast on Ashura?

According to many Islamic traditions, fasting on Moharram is highly regarded but not mandatory.

6. Can I post happiness pictures on Facebook and WhatsApp about Moharram?

No, you should share pictures not celebrating but reflecting on the lessons of the events in Moharram.

Conclusion: Moharram is a month for reflection, morality, and divine thought.

Although Moharram is not for celebration, understanding why Moharram is can help us learn the strong social and moral messages behind the historic events of Moharram.

It helps us learn how to:

  • Defy evil and tyranny
  • Fight for justice
  • Be morally upright
  • Uplift your faith.

In shared prayers, in fasting, charity work, and sharing Moharram images and messages, Moharram challenges everyone to think about morality.

This Moharram, express the Morality with respect

With the Snap Visionary, you can:

  • Make exquisite posters of Moharram quotes and concepts. 
  • Design Moharram condolence images.
  • Generate Islamic script posters for Moharram.

Design your personal go, Moharram meditation Photoshop message. Because the morality behind Moharram transcends faith and continues to teach humanity a powerful story.

Download the Snap Visionary App Today.

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