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Muharram
is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one
of the four months of the year in which fighting is
prohibited. Since the Islamic calendar is lunar, Muharram
moves from year to year when compared with the Gregorian
calendar.
Muharram
is so called because it was unlawful to fight during
this month; the word is derived from the word ‘haram’
meaning forbidden. It is held to be the most sacred
of all the months, excluding Ramadan. Some Muslims fast
during these days. The tenth day of Muharram is called
Yaumu-l 'Ashurah, meaning, ‘the tenth day’,
and it is a day of voluntary fasting. Fasting differs
among the Muslim groupings; mainstream Shia Muslims
stop eating and drinking during sunlight hours but do
not fast until the evening. Sunni Muslims also fast
during Muharram and on either the ninth or the eleventh
day, the choice of which additional day being at the
discretion of the individual.
The
Battle of Karbala took place on Muharram 10, 61
AH (October 9 or 10, 680 CE) in Karbala, in present
day Iraq. On one side were supporters and relatives
of Muhammad's grandson Husayn ibn Ali; on the other
side was a military detachment from the forces of Yazid
I, the Umayyad caliph.
Husayn
ibn Ali's group consisted of notable members of Muhammad's
close relatives, around 72 men, of which some were either
very old or very young. Husayn and some members of his
group were accompanied by some of the women and children
from their families. On the opposite side, the armed
forces of Yazid I were led by Umar ibn Sa'ad and contained
at least 40,000 men
Shia
traditions state that Husayn ibn Ali's group killed
over 20% of the enemy before being defeated. Husayn
himself killed 900 soldiers, despite the fact that he
was thirsty and hungry for 3 days. It is stated that
he died to resurrect Islam.
The
battle field was a desert region located beside one
of the branches of the Euphrates River. The battle resulted
in the military defeat of Husayn ibn Ali's group, the
death of almost all of his men, and the captivity of
all women and children.
The
Battle of Karbala is one of the most significant battles
in the history of Shia Muslims.
This
battle also had significant effects on formation of
subsequent revolts against the Umayyad dynasty.
The
battle of Husayn ibn Ali is commemorated during an annual
10-day period held every Muharram, culminating on its
tenth day, Ashura. complete
information
Islamic
Events
On 1 Muharram, the Islamic New Year is observed by some
Muslims.
On 1 Muharram, Shi'ite Muslims begin the observance
of the Commemoration of Muharram which marks the anniversary
of the Battle of Karbala. Imam Husayn entered Karbala.
On 7 Muharram, access to water was banned on Husayn
by Yazid's order.
On 10 Muharram, the Day of Ashurah is commemorated by
Muslims as the anniversary of the death of Husayn bin
Ali, the grandson of Muhammad. But the Shi'ite Muslims
attach much greater importance to this day.
On 25 Muharram, Fourth Imam Hazrat Zain-ul-Abedin was
poisoned.
On 27 Muharram, Mesum was killed.
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