The Tragedy of Karbala The very sad event that took place in the month of Muharram is the martyrdom of Al-Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him). It is a long and tragic history, but I will do my best to summarise what happened. My sources are based primarily on authentic Sunni narrations. While…
Muharram and the beginning of the Islamic Year Reflecting on the sacred month In the Islamic calendar, there are four months that are considered sacred (ash-hur ḥurum). As Allah says in the Qur’an: إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ… مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ…
This booklet covers the importance of Muharram – the sacred month and the first month of the Islamic calendar, and the inspiring lessons from the Hijra, a pivotal moment in Islamic history. Through exploring these significant events, we hope to offer insights into how we can improve our lives today. Highlighting the power of truth,…
If you do not help him, God has already helped him, when those who disbelieved expelled him, and he was the second of two in the cave. He said to his friend, ‘Do not worry, God is with us.’ And God made His tranquility descend upon him, and supported him with forces you did not…
Why we talk about Hijrah in Muharram Although we often talk about the Hijrah in Muharram, it is important to clarify that the Hijrah actually took place at the end of Safar and the beginning of Rabi’ al-Awwal. The reason we celebrate it in Muharram is because it is the beginning of the new year…
Continual struggle The Prophet (peace be on him) had given dawah (invited people to Islam) tirelessly for 13 years until 610 CE, and withstood escalating torture and persecution and threats during this time. Only a very tiny minority had accepted the divine message he had brought. We do not have accurate statistics, but we estimate…
Todays reminder is about unity and not returning to the habits of pre-Islamic (Jahiliyya) times. In Surat al Imran, Allah Almighty says: ﴿١٠٣﴾ وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا ۚ وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنْتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُمْ بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا وَكُنْتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِنَ النَّارِ فَأَنْقَذَكُمْ مِنْهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ…
Today’s reflection is about the Hijra (the migration of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be on him to Madinah) and Muharram. Every year people celebrate the New Islamic Year. The conflation of Muharram with the Hijra was introduced later, as in fact the migration took place in Rabbi al-Awal not Muharram. The date of Hijrah The…
The Islamic calendar begins and ends with a sacred month. It ends with Dhul Hijjah and begins with Muharram. The best days to fast after Ramadan are in Muharram Muharram is a special month. The Prophet was asked which siyam (fasting) and which salah was best after the obligations and this is what he said…
Rajab and the sacred months The number of months, according to Allah, is twelve months—in the decree of Allah—since the Day He created the heavens and the earth, of which four are sacred. This is the correct religion. So do not wrong yourselves during them. (9:36) Rajab is a sacred month. One of the 4…
Muharram: When did floodgates of fitnah open and how do we deal with Karbala? Why is our Ummah constantly suffering? Hudhaifa Ibn Al Yaman (may Allah be pleased with him) was the collector of all the narrations from the Prophet (peace be on him) regarding fitnah – if anyone wants to know the details of fitnah…
Muharram: Commonly asked Questions Hijra did not take place in Muharram People always connect Hijra with Muharram, but in fact the Prophet (peace be on him) made his Hijra towards the end of Safar and arrived in Madinah in around 12th of Rabbi al Awwal. Why do we commemorate Hijra in Muharram? In Omar’s time…
Hijra: How Migrants Escaping Oppression Can Be a Source of Goodness As every New Hijri Year begins, we reflect on the Prophet’s (peace be on him) migration from Makkah to Madinah. What the reason for it? Persecution. Injustice. Disregard for human rights. Freedom of Expression The Prophet (peace be on him) was asking for…
Muharram: Never Give Up Allah’s Messenger (peace be on him) was inspired divinely at the age of forty. Then he stayed in Makkah for thirteen years, and then was ordered to migrate, and he migrated to Madinah and stayed there for ten years and then died. (Bukhari) 1. Try your Best and Exert Yourself For…
Muharram Reflections on the Hijra (Migration) The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said on the day of the Conquest of Mecca: There is no Hijra (migration) after conquering Makkah but (only) jihad (striving in the way of Allah) and niyyah (sincere intention) [have great reward]; when you are asked to set…