Muharram 2022 Holiday: All You Need To Know

Holidays

Muharram is the New Year of Muslims across the world. Sunnis fast throughout this day, while the Shia community expresses grief. Muharram 2022 will be celebrated in India on Tuesday, August 9 2022.     

Relevance of Muharram

Shia Muslims lament Hussain Ibn Ali’s death in Karbala battle on this day. He is Ali’s son and Prophet Muhammad’s grandson. Karbala is a well-known pilgrimage of Iraq, located on the Euphrates river bank. Hussain was killed at Karbala in 680 AD (approximately).  He fought with the army of Yazid I and was defeated on the battlefield. 

Ashura, Muharram’s tenth day, is an event that celebrates his courageous sacrifice. It is believed that on Ashura, Moses defeated the Egyptian Pharaoh.      

Celebration Highlights of Muharram

The Shia community expresses sorrow from Muharram’s first night. The recalling of Hussain’s martyrdom resumes for the following two months and eight days. First 10 days of this occasion are more crucial. 

Muslims wear black attire and offer prayers on the first day of Muharram. Here, the colour black represents sorrow. Shias conduct processions and travel barefoot in the streets on the 10^th day. They sing aloud to remember Hussain’s bravery. Celebrations will be the same for Muharram 2022.  

Muharram Is a Public Holiday

The last day of this festival is a public holiday in India. So, government offices, banks and post offices remain closed on this date. Islamic stores and firms usually either stay closed or have short working hours. India witnesses prayer meetings, marches and parades during this day. 

Muharram 2022 in Indian States   

Muharram is a crucial Islamic occasion. Muslims from all parts of India celebrate this festival. Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka are well-known for celebrating this auspicious occasion. One can visit these states during Muharram to experience the actual magnificence of this event. 

Special Aspects of Muharram

Are you waiting for Muharram 2022? Know these interesting facts about this festival:

• The month of Muharram is a holy month for Muslims. After Imam Hussain’s demise, his family members were imprisoned. So, the term ‘Muharram’ signifies unlawful, impermissible and forbidden. 
• There is a belief that fasting compensates for the wrong deeds of the new year. However, some Muslims would not fast after Zawal as an act of respect.
• During this event, Shia Muslims whip themselves using pointed objects to honour Hussain and his family. On the other hand, Sunni Association fasts during Muharram. They remember Prophet Moses and do not participate in this ceremony. 
• The Minangkabau community of West Sumatra and the people of Tabuk also organise this festival. 

Final Word 

Muharram is a precious occasion of the Muslim culture, and it promises new opportunities for the coming Islamic year. Hussain Ali’s execution promotes Islamic identity, tourism and social cohesion. Muharram 2022 will spread the message of kindness, equality and justice across the world. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who celebrates Muharram in Kerala?

Mappilas are a part of the Muslim community that constitutes twenty-five per cent of Kerala’s population. They mainly stay in Malappuram district and Calicut and participate in this occasion. The Muslim community of Kerala has been observed to mourn ‘Ya Hussain’ and beat their chest on the roads. Besides, Muslims who engage in Tazias use tiger masks as their attire.  

How is Muharram in Hyderabad celebrated?

Around 90% of Hyderabad’s population takes part in Muharram to remember the tragic death of Hussain. Shias organise a procession that starts from Dabeerpura Flyover and ends in Alawa-e-Sartouq Mubarak. In addition to the parades, they arrange short Majlis on this day, and the red flags replace the black flags.     

Is there any book to read during Muharram?

Muslims need to read Ziyarat Ashura (a book comprising salutations to the Karbala martyrs) on this occasion. The prayer is devoted to Hussain Ibn Ali’s shrine and the Karbala battle. Hussain and his family were water-deprived from the 7^th to the 10^th day. Terrorist ruler Yazid killed Ibn Ali and his seventy-two followers on the battlefield. 

What is the timing of Muharram?

A new moon’s first crescent marks the beginning of Muharram month. The Islamic calendar is ten to eleven days shorter than the Gregorian or solar calendar. The lunar month of this festival keeps shifting from year to year.      

How do Muslims celebrate Ashura?

Muslims usually perform the following rituals on Ashura:

• Observing fast
• Giving gifts
• Performing Nafl Salat prayers
• Showing affection to an orphan
• Performing Surah Ikhlas a thousand times
• Taking a  bath
• Putting Surma in eyes
• Cutting one’s nails
• Being cordial with enemies
• Performing Ashura

Sunni community keeps Roja (fast) on this day according to Prophet Muhammad’s Hadith. They usually fast on the ninth and tenth day of the occasion.

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