HAPPY MUHARRAM AUG 30

 

Muharram is one of the four sacred months for the Muslims across the globe.  Prophet Muhammed completed his journey from Mecca to Medina during this month.  Prophet Muhammed's grandson Hazrat Imam Hussain and his family and followers were tortured and killed by the army of Yazid I at the battle of Karbala in 680 AD.  

The Battle of Karbala was fought on the 10th day of Muharram between Umayyad Caliph Yazid and Imam Hussain , whom many considered the rightful Caliph.  Imam Hussain was in Mecca but he received letters from the Muslim of Kufa to come and deliver them from the rule of Yazid.  When Hussain was proceeding to Kufa, Yazid's commanders forced him to move to the desert of Karbala.  There his followers along with women and children were held for 10 days with cruelties and injustices done to them.  Their access to water from the river Euphrates was cut off.  Imam Hussain tried to talk peacefully but they continued with their cruelties and finally on the 10th day fighting broke out.  They were tortured and killed.  After his death, the Muslim community was divided into Shia and Sunni sects.  This month observes Muharram as a mark of Mourning the death of Hazrat Imam Hussain where many Muslims observe partial fasts.  Shia community wear black clothes.  The mourning period starts from the first night of Muharram and goes on for 10 consecutive nights.

Imam Hussain had no intention to wage war.  He wished to free people from an unjust rule and guide them back to the true path of Islam.  Later he refused to bow to what he considered tyranny.  He knew he was right.  His choices show that to challenge oppression you  need courage of conviction more than armies.  Imam Hussain's family never got to mourn for him, bury his body or conduct the rituals.  His mother Fatima and his family were prevented from doing this so Muslim community mourns for him who remember and respect his true path of Islam.

This year due to COVID-19 pandemic , people will mourn the period by offering prayers at their homes.  There will not be Muharram processions