Moharram is considered one of the most sacred months of Islamic calendar. It is the first month, so marks the start of every Islamic New Year. According to Hadith and Quran, Muslims are advised to respect the month and not commit any wrongdoing. The sigficance of this month further increased after Imam Hussein P.B.U.H was martyred on the 10th of Moharram. This day is called an Ashura. This completely changed the significance of Islamic history related to Moharram. After the death of the Prophet, Muslims were divided into two sects, one believed that Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H were the last messenger of God, and there were no successors as he never announced anyone to be his successor.
The other group believed that there should be successors. So Abu Bakr stepped up and became the first Caliph, followed by Umar, Usman and finally Ali. Ali was Prophet’s own son-in-law as well and had two sons, Imam Hassan and Imam Hussein. In the battle of Karbala, Imam Hussein was martyred, beheaded, and his head was presented to king of the time. This jolted the whole Muslim community. The battle itself was so harsh on Imam Hassan, Imam Hussein and their family that they were cut off water supply for many days, and Imam Hussein died in the condition of utmost thirst. Ali was assassinated as well and his other son Imam Hassan was poisoned. But the assassination of Hussein was the highlight of Moharram. This is how the Shia and Sunni sects came into being. Shias believe that Ali and his sons deserved enough to replace Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H. They mourn all this month. The mourning is a combination of few things. They first regret the death Hussein and then repent on how they could not save Hussein from being assassinated.
For Shia, Moharram is a mass mourning event. They start wearing black clothes since the start of the month, and engage in ritual that reminds them of the battle of Karbala. In most gatherings, a Shia Zakir, redescribes the battle of Karbala, and Shia Muslim mourn, and at times torture themselves for the way Imam Hussein was tortured once. Women do not wear makeup or jewellery in the month, and no happy gatherings like wedding or engagement ceremonies are observed in this month. In India, the rituals are most concentrated in Luckhnow, as it the centre of Muslim community.
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