The Symbolism of Muharram
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 فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ
“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [in a year] in the register of Allah the day He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them.”
(Surah At-Tawbah 9:36)
These sacred months are: Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab. Among these, three are consecutive (Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, and Muharram), and Rajab stands alone. They are sacred because fighting and bloodshed were prohibited during these months, to ensure safety for those travelling for Hajj or ‘Umrah.
Traditionally, one month was needed to travel to Makkah (on foot or camel), one month to stay and perform the pilgrimage, and another to return. These three months ensured protection for the pilgrims. Similarly, Rajab was often used for performing ‘Umrah, and it also needed to be free of conflict. Allah says:
فَلْيَعْبُدُوا رَبَّ هَٰذَا الْبَيْتِ • الَّذِي أَطْعَمَهُم مِّن جُوعٍ وَآمَنَهُم مِّنْ خَوْفٍ
“So let them worship the Lord of this House – Who has fed them against hunger and secured them against fear.”
(Surah Quraysh 106:3–4)
How the Islamic Calendar began
After the Prophet ﷺ passed away, and during the caliphate of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (may Allah be pleased with him), the need arose for a formal calendar. As narrated in authentic sources such as Imam al-Bukhārī’s Tārīkh and other works of history, ʿUmar consulted the companions about where to begin the Islamic calendar.
Some companions suggested beginning from the Prophet’s birth year, the Year of the Elephant. Others proposed starting from the year of the first revelation, or from the Prophet’s death. However, the most widely agreed opinion was to begin the calendar from the Hijrah (the migration to Madinah), as this marked a new phase of the Muslim community and the establishment of the Islamic state.
Although the Prophet ﷺ arrived in Madinah in Rabi‘ al-Awwal, the companions kept Muharram as the first month of the year, because the Arab tradition already recognised it as the beginning of the year. So they simply marked time from the Hijrah but retained Muharram as the start of the Islamic calendar.
This is why today we say we are in 1446 AH – meaning 1446 years after the Hijrah (Hijrat al-Nabī ﷺ).
The virtues of Muharram
The Prophet ﷺ described Muharram as the “Month of Allah”:
أَفْضَلُ الصِّيَامِ بَعْدَ رَمَضَانَ شَهْرُ اللَّهِ الْمُحَرَّمُ
“The best of fasts after the month of Ramadan is in the month of Allah – Muharram.”
(Sahih Muslim)
In particular, the 10th day of Muharram – known as ‘Āshūrā’ – is highly virtuous. The Prophet ﷺ fasted on this day and encouraged others to do so. When asked about it, he said:
صِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ إِنِّي أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِي قَبْلَهُ
“Fasting on the day of ‘Āshūrā’, I hope that Allah will expiate [the sins of] the year before it.”
(Sahih Muslim)
The Prophet ﷺ also mentioned that this was the day Allah saved Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) and his people from Pharaoh. The Jews of Madinah fasted in remembrance of this event, and the Prophet ﷺ said:
نَحْنُ أَحَقُّ بِمُوسَى مِنْهُمْ فَصَامَهُ وَأَمَرَ بِصِيَامِهِ
“We have more right to Musa than they do.” So he fasted it and encouraged the Muslims to fast it.
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
To distinguish from the Jewish practice, the Prophet ﷺ recommended fasting either the 9th and 10th, or the 10th and 11th, though fasting only on the 10th is also permissible.
Other reports and misconceptions
During Muharram, many lists circulate attributing various historical events to the 10th of the month, such as the repentance of Adam, the rescue of Ibrahim from the fire, or the birth of certain prophets. However, there is no authentic evidence for these reports. The only well-established event is the salvation of Musa (peace be upon him) on the day of ‘Āshūrā.
The martyrdom of Imam Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him)
Tragically, the 10th of Muharram is also the day when Imam Hussain, the beloved grandson of the Prophet ﷺ, was martyred in Karbala, along with members of his family. This is a day of grief and reflection, especially for many Muslims, as it reminds us of the price of standing for truth and justice in the face of tyranny.
The deeper meaning of Muharram: a symbol of resistance and steadfastness
While Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar, it also carries deep symbolic meaning. Although the Hijrah (migration) of the Prophet ﷺ did not occur in Muharram itself, he arrived in Madinah during Rabi‘ al-Awwal, we nevertheless commemorate the Islamic New Year in Muharram. The Hijrah represents more than a historical event; it embodies the spirit of resistance, perseverance, and trust in Allah.
For thirteen years in Makkah, the Prophet ﷺ remained firm in the face of brutal persecution. He endured the hostility of Quraysh, who insulted, rejected, and physically attacked him. At times, they placed animal entrails on his back while he was in sujood by the Ka‘bah. He was pelted with stones, mocked, accused of sorcery, and called a liar and a madman.
Yet, not once did the Prophet ﷺ give up. He was relentless in his da‘wah, knocking on door after door. He called his family, his close companions, the people of Makkah, and even pilgrims visiting from outside the city. Still, only a small number accepted Islam in those early years.
Historians estimate that Makkah’s population at the time may have been around 4,000 people. After thirteen years of effort, roughly 100 to 120 individuals had embraced Islam. But Allah never told him that it was a waste of time. Those early believers, handpicked and nurtured by the Prophet ﷺ, would go on to carry the message of Islam to the entire world, even as far as China.
The Prophet ﷺ stayed in Makkah as long as he could. He was not seeking to leave his beloved city. In fact, he once said:
وَاللَّهِ إِنَّكِ لَخَيْرُ أَرْضِ اللَّهِ، وَأَحَبُّ أَرْضِ اللَّهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ، وَلَوْلَا أَنِّي أُخْرِجْتُ مِنْكِ مَا خَرَجْتُ
“By Allah, you are the best of Allah’s land, and the most beloved land to Allah. Had I not been forced to leave you, I would never have left.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 3925 – Hasan)
He was forced out due to increasing threats to his life. Quraysh placed him and his companions under siege in the valley of Banu Hashim for three years, denying them food, trade, and contact. They were left to eat leaves to survive.
Yet, even under these extreme conditions, the Prophet ﷺ remained firm. This is the true meaning of the Hijrah, not just a journey from one city to another, but a symbol of rejecting oppression, holding on to faith in adversity, and trusting in Allah’s plan when no earthly doors remain open.
The Prophet ﷺ did not migrate for political power or safety. He migrated after exhausting every means to deliver the message in Makkah, showing patience, mercy, and unshakable character. He hoped for support from other regions, and unexpectedly, the people of Yathrib (later known as Madinah) responded to his call. Allah opened a way from where no one expected.
وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مَخْرَجًۭا • وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ
“And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out, and will provide for him from where he does not expect.”
(Surah At-Talaq 65:2–3)
Perseverance and steadfastness
This is one of the core lessons of Muharram and the Hijrah: steadfastness (thabāt) and resilience in the face of trials.
The Prophet ﷺ never gave up. When pressured by Quraysh to disassociate from the poor and enslaved Muslims, he refused. Even when they offered him wealth and power, he did not compromise. Allah praised his firmness:
وَلَوْلَا أَن ثَبَّتْنَـٰكَ لَقَدْ كِدتَّ تَرْكَنُ إِلَيْهِمْ شَيْـًۭٔا قَلِيلًۭا
“And had We not made you firm, you would have inclined to them slightly.”
(Surah Al-Isra 17:74)
Instead of giving in to pressure, the Prophet ﷺ showed us what it means to persevere, even when results seem small, and the opposition seems powerful.
The legacy of Ibrahim (peace be upon him)
This principle of steadfastness can also be seen in the story of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him). When confronted by idol worshippers, he remained firm in his faith. Even when they lit a great fire and flung him into it, he did not recant. Allah honoured his faith with a miracle:
قُلْنَا يَـٰنَارُ كُونِى بَرْدًۭا وَسَلَـٰمًا عَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ
“We said, O fire, be coolness and safety upon Ibrahim.”
(Surah Al-Anbiya 21:69)
Just as Allah saved Ibrahim for his unwavering belief, He granted relief to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ when he had suffered enough. The Hijrah was the turning point, where persecution gave way to progress, and hardship opened the door to victory.
Steadfastness and the power of imaan
Allah saved Musa (peace be upon him) from the tyranny of Pharaoh. He also saved the Banu Isra’il from slavery and humiliation, and He gave refuge to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by guiding him to Madinah, a city whose people, the Ansar, became the most loyal supporters of the Prophet ﷺ. They carried the message of Islam across the world.
Throughout the Qur’an, Allah repeatedly reminds us of the importance of steadfastness in religion. This lesson is vividly illustrated in the story of the People of the Cave, the young believers who resisted tyranny and held fast to their faith. Their story is told at the beginning of Surah Al-Kahf, which is recommended to be recited every Friday or Thursday evening.
إِنَّهُمْ فِتْيَةٌ آمَنُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ وَزِدْنَاهُمْ هُدًى
“Indeed, they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance.”
(Surah Al-Kahf 18:13)
Though they were unknown and seemingly insignificant, Allah elevated their status. They were not kings or prophets, just sincere young believers. Because of their steadfastness, Allah preserved them and made them honoured in the Qur’an. They slept in a cave for 309 years, protected by Allah.
Their story teaches us: even if the world forgets you, if you remain firm in your faith, Allah will never forget you.
We see this pattern again in the example of Bilal ibn Rabah (may Allah be pleased with him). He was a former slave, tortured in the scorching heat of the Makkan desert, with a boulder placed on his chest, yet he never abandoned his declaration of faith. His lips continued to utter: “Ahad, Ahad!” (One, One).
Similarly, Sumayyah and Yasir (may Allah be pleased with them) were martyred under torture, but they did not give up their imaan. Allah honoured their sacrifice. Even though they left this world early, they gained something far greater: eternal reward in Jannah.
So what if someone dies a few years earlier in this world? If what Allah has prepared for them is far better, what have they truly lost?
This is the value of steadfastness in faith. Allah says:
يُثَبِّتُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱلْقَوْلِ ٱلثَّابِتِ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ
“Allah keeps firm those who believe, with the firm word, in worldly life and in the Hereafter.”
(Surah Ibrahim 14:27)
And in another verse, Allah says:
إِذْ يُوحِى رَبُّكَ إِلَى ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ أَنِّى مَعَكُمْ فَثَبِّتُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟
“When your Lord revealed to the angels: ‘I am with you, so strengthen those who have believed…’”
(Surah Al-Anfal 8:12)
These verses apply not only in the battlefield but in daily life. Our struggle with the self (nafs), with Shaytan, with distractions and desires, all of these are spiritual battles. Allah strengthens the hearts of those who turn to Him.
How can we strengthen our imaan?
Our imaan can fluctuate, up and down like the stock market. But Allah has shown us seven means to gain spiritual strength:
- Truthfulness
Be sincere in your belief. Not perfect, but truthful. When you’re honest with Allah, He strengthens your heart. - Doing your part
You must do your homework. Don’t say “I rely on Allah” and take no action. Prepare for what is required of you, whether that’s prayer, work, or an interview. Effort and tawakkul go hand in hand. - Obedience
Even with shortcomings, strive to obey Allah. If you fall, come back. Allah will strengthen you for your sincerity. - Seeking forgiveness and making du‘a
Ask Allah to make your heart firm. Say:
يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ
“O Turner of hearts, keep my heart firm on Your religion.”
(Tirmidhi) - Dhikr (remembrance of Allah)
Regular remembrance keeps the soul anchored. A heart filled with Allah’s remembrance is not easily shaken. - Reading Qur’anic stories
Learn from the lives of the Prophets and righteous people. Their trials mirror ours, and their outcomes remind us that Allah always delivers relief. - Reflecting on the struggles of believers today
Think of the people of Palestine, enduring bombardment, starvation, and torture, yet their imaan remains unshaken. How? Because Allah is with them. They are not backed by superpowers, but they have the power of faith.
The power of imaan: when allah strengthens the hearts
What we are witnessing today, especially in the steadfastness of the people of Palestine, is not fiction or exaggeration. It is the reality of imaan in action. The resilience they show, despite constant bombardment and brutal conditions, is a living example of what the Qur’an and Sunnah teach us about the power of faith.
They continue their prayers, their du‘as, and their trust in Allah. They live in obedience, remain sincere, and call upon Him daily. This is why their strength is beyond our comprehension. They are ordinary people, but because they are with Allah, He has made them extraordinary.
When Allah is with you, you are stronger than you ever imagined.
Allah tells us in the Qur’an about the People of the Cave:
وَرَبَطْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ إِذْ قَامُوا۟ فَقَالُوا۟ رَبُّنَا رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ…
“And We made firm their hearts when they stood up and said, ‘Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth…’”
(Surah Al-Kahf 18:14)
It was not worldly means that gave them courage. It was Allah who strengthened their hearts because of their sincerity. You may be misunderstood, accused, or underestimated by others, but if your heart is connected to Allah, that’s all that matters. He will bring you relief from trials in ways you never expected.
Real stories of steadfastness
We also find in Surah Al-Buruj the story of the People of the Ditch (Ashab al-Ukhdud), who were burned alive for believing in Allah. Yet, they never gave up their faith, and Allah praised their patience and sacrifice.
When the Ahzab (Confederate forces) surrounded Madinah in the Battle of the Trench, the believers did not panic. Instead, they said:
هَـٰذَا مَا وَعَدَنَا ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَصَدَقَ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ ۚ وَمَا زَادَهُمْ إِلَّا إِيمَـٰنًۭا وَتَسْلِيمًۭا
“This is what Allah and His Messenger had promised us, and Allah and His Messenger spoke the truth. And it only increased them in faith and submission.”
(Surah Al-Ahzab 33:22)
They knew this was a test. But instead of weakening, their imaan grew stronger.
Similarly, in another test, Allah says about the believers:
ٱلَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا۟ لَكُمْ فَٱخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَـٰنًۭا وَقَالُوا۟ حَسْبُنَا ٱللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ ٱلْوَكِيلُ
“Those to whom people said, ‘Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them’ – but it only increased them in faith, and they said, ‘Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.’”
(Surah Aal Imran 3:173)
These responses weren’t just emotional reactions, they were the result of deeply rooted imaan, sustained by Allah.
Faith in action: holding on despite the pain
The Prophet ﷺ foretold the difficulty of staying firm on faith in trying times. He said:
يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ، الصَّابِرُ فِيهِمْ عَلَى دِينِهِ كَالْقَابِضِ عَلَى الْجَمْرِ
“There will come a time upon the people when the one who is patient upon his religion will be like one holding a burning coal.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
Holding on to faith may hurt. It may feel isolating. It may come with social, emotional, or physical consequences. But letting go, even briefly, means losing something far greater.
This is not a test of muscle, money, or intellect. The real support comes from Allah alone:
وَمَا ٱلنَّصْرُ إِلَّا مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
“And victory is not except from Allah. Indeed, Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.”
(Surah Aal Imran 3:126)
Strengthen your imaan
There are seven key ways the Qur’an teaches us to grow in steadfastness:
- Truthfulness:
Be honest with Allah and yourself. Don’t pretend. He sees what’s in your heart. - Effort:
Do your part. Prepare, strive, and fulfil your duties. Trust is not an excuse for laziness. - Obedience:
Stay within the commands of Allah as best as you can. Repent when you fall short. - Du‘a and Istighfar:
Keep asking Allah for guidance, forgiveness, and firmness. - Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah):
Regularly remembering Allah keeps your heart awake and aware. - Reading the Stories of the Prophets and the Righteous:
Learn from their trials and triumphs. If they were helped, so can you be. - Reflecting on Today’s Examples:
Like the people of Palestine, ordinary people with extraordinary faith, showing us that imaan is not just a word, but a force.
Victory belongs to Allah – so seek His support
True victory only comes from Allah. That is the reality of this life, no matter the struggle, spiritual, emotional, political, or physical.
When we face trials and enemies, we must turn to Allah with the same du‘ā that the believers before us made:
رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًۭا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَٱنصُرْنَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
“Our Lord, pour upon us patience, make firm our feet, and give us victory over the disbelieving people.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:250)
We ask Him to strengthen our imaan, purify our hearts, forgive our sins, and help us stand firm against oppressors and tyrants. These supplications are not just emotional responses, they are spiritual weapons.
Allah tells us in the Qur’an that He narrates the stories of previous Prophets and their followers to strengthen the heart of the Prophet ﷺ, and by extension, to strengthen ours:
وَكُلًّۭا نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلرُّسُلِ مَا نُثَبِّتُ بِهِۦ فُؤَادَكَ
“And each [story] We relate to you from the news of the messengers is that by which We make firm your heart.”
(Surah Hud 11:120)
So when we read about the patience of Nuh, the bravery of Musa, the sincerity of Ibrahim, and the mercy of our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, it is not just history. It is a roadmap for how to respond when our own faith is tested.
Tests are part of the journey
Allah reminds us clearly:
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ مَّسَّتْهُمُ ٱلْبَأْسَآءُ وَٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ نَصْرَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌۭ
“Do you think you will enter Paradise without such trials as came to those before you? They were afflicted with suffering and adversity, and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those with him said, ‘When will the help of Allah come?’ Surely, the help of Allah is near.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:214)
These verses are there to prepare us: Allah will test us, not to discover our strength, because He already knows, but so that we discover ourselves.
Tests reveal our gaps. They expose our weaknesses and remind us that we need to work on ourselves. If we fall, we learn. If we’re shaken, we seek Allah’s support more sincerely. In doing so, we become stronger, more humble, and more prepared for what’s to come.
So we end this reflection with a heartfelt prayer:
اللَّهُمَّ ثَبِّتْ قُلُوبَنَا عَلَى دِينِكَ
“O Allah, make our hearts firm upon Your religion.”
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسْرَافَنَا فِي أَمْرِنَا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانْصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ
“O Allah, forgive us our sins and our excesses in our affairs, make our feet firm, and help us against the oppressive people.”
May Allah keep us steadfast upon His deen, strengthen our imaan, purify our hearts, and count us among the righteous.
Āmīn.
Delivered by Shaykh Haytham Tamim to the Convert Club on 17th July 2024