What Happened on the 10th of Muharram?
Key Moments That Shaped Islamic History
What is Muharram?
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months of Islam, not including Ramadan. During these four months, fighting and violence are generally prohibited, and thus Muharram is considered a month of reflection, spiritual closeness, and a marker of major events in Islamic history. Muharram is known as “the Month of Allah” and is a time where Muslims generally increase in worship and get closer to Allah (S.W.T.)/God. It is a month filled with great importance in Islamic history and tradition.
The 10th day of Muharram, known as Ashura, commemorates many key cornerstones in Islamic history, and Muslims mark this day as a symbol of Allah’s victory and where Allah (SWT) gave victory to the prophets and their followers.
To commemorate Ashura, many Muslims voluntarily fast as a way of getting the sins of the previous year forgiven. Many Muslims also fast on the 9th or the 11th of this month as a way of distinguishing Islamic practice from the practice of other traditions.
But what happened on Ashura, and why is it so important in Islamic history?
Key Events that Happened on the 10th day of Muharram
The Martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali (R.A.), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and his family:
In 680 A.D., Husayn ibn Ali (R.A.), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was martyred at Karbala in modern-day Iraq. This battle saw Husayn ibn Ali (R.A.) and his loyal supporters resist the tyranny and cruelty of the illegitimate Caliph Yazi I. The martyrdom became a symbol of resistance against oppression, a symbol that echoes today in the struggles of the Palestinians of Gaza and their struggles against the tyranny of Israel.
Prophet Musa/Moses (A.S.) and his followers were saved from the Pharaoh:
Ashura also marks the day that Prophet Musa/Moses (A.S.) and his followers were saved from the tyranny of the Pharaoh.
Prophet Nuh/Noah’s (A.S.) Ark landed on Mount Judi.
Ashura was the day when Allah (S.W.T.) brought the ark of Prophet Nuh (A.S) back on dry land. The ark landed on Mount Judi.
The Acceptance of the Repentance of Prophet Adam (A.S.):
After Prophet Adam (A.S.) and his wife, Hawa/Eve, ate the forbidden apple despite the command of Allah (SWT), they were sent to Earth. Ashura was the day when Prophet Adam’s (A.S.) repentance was accepted by Allah (S.W.T.).
Prophet Yunus/Jonah (A.S.) was freed from the belly of the whale.
Prophet Yunus (A.S.) stormed away from his people in frustration and was swallowed into the belly of a whale. Ashura was the day when Allah (S.W.T.) freed the Prophet Yunus (A.S.) from inside the belly of the whale.
Significance of Muharram
As these events show, Muharram is a month of reflection, worship, spiritual growth, and a reminder to stand firm against tyranny, to persevere against the toughest odds, to own one’s mistakes, and to strive in the cause of Allah (S.W.T./God).
Have you ever stood up for something true, even when it was hard? I’d love to hear your story