Muharram 2024 date, history and significance: Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and is considered one of the most sacred months in Islam. The tenth day of Muharram is known as Ashura and is commemorated by all Muslims. The day marks the martyrdom of Husayn Ibn Ali al-Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. Here is all you need to know.
The Islamic calendar, which started with migration or the Hijrah of Prophet Muhammad and his companions from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD, is based on the lunar cycle, which means that the dates of Muharram vary from year to year in the Gregorian calendar. In 2024, the crescent moon for Muharram was not visible in Saudi Arabia on Friday, July 5, which was the 29th day of Dhul Hijjah.
This resulted in Saudi authorities announcing that the first day of Muharram 1446 would be after evening prayers on Saturday, July 6, 2024, and July 7, 2024, the first day of Muharram in Saudi Arabia, marking the start of the Islamic New Year, as per the Gregorian calendar. So, in 2024, the tenth day of Ashura will be observed on the evening of July 16th.
Muharram 2024: History and significance
Muharram is a sacred month in Islam, with all deeds, good or bad, carrying greater weight during this time. Muslims are encouraged to engage in acts of worship, charity, and reflection to please Allah. For Shia Muslims, Ashura commemorates the martyrdom of Husayn Ibn Ali al-Hussein. This event is a powerful symbol of the struggle against injustice and the willingness to sacrifice for truth and righteousness.
Muslims flagellates himself with knives on chains during a Muharram procession (AP)
Shia Muslims mark Ashura with intense mourning rituals, including recitations of elegies, reenactments of the battle, processions, and public displays of grief. In essence, Muharram and Ashura serve as a reminder of the importance of faith, sacrifice, and standing against oppression within the Muslim community.
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First uploaded on: 16-07-2024 at 16:19 IST