Published: 05:51 AM, 30 July 2022
Muharram and its significance around the globe
Sujayendra Das
During every English calendar year there are various festivals of Muslim religion is celebrated all around the globe. It was couple of days the entire Muslim World celebrated Eid Al Adha and now on August 9, 2022, the entire Muslim World will be celebrating Muharram amidst the specter of communal amity and harmony among people of all religions and languages based in different parts of the globe. Being a person of Muharram is not an easy task for me. However with the best of ability and initiative by me I shall try to render exciting anecdotes about this festival. As per myth goes by, Muharram is rated as one of the four sacred months of the year when the warfare is totally forbidden. This festival is scheduled to be the second holiest month after Ramadan.
The tenth day of Muharram is known as Ashura. It is also from traditional point of view, we find that Muharram is the first month of Islamic calendar year and is followed by Ramadan. Basically the term, 'Muharram' is referred to as forbidding of any sign in different parts of the globe. This forbidden aspect is rated as 'Holy' as there are many Muslim who use the term 'Holy' as because there are many Muslim who consider this period as period of prayer and reflection of life in its broader perspectives. As per religion norms concerned, this festival will remain as festival of fast during the Holy Ramadan period. As per the tenets of Islamic calendar, we find that Muharram is the first month of Islamic calendar year. The said festivity is also referred to as second holiest month after Ramadan. Tenth day of Muharram is also known as Ashura. To be more elaborate in this regard the said festival is also referred to as the mourning of Muharram. Shia Muslims hereby mourn the tragedy of Husayn Ibn Ali's family, thereby Sunni Muslims start fasting on Ashura. Thus in the subsequent paragraph it is my humble task to analyze deeply about the significance of Muharram in today's scenarios around the globe.
Significance of Muharram in today's scenarios around the globe:
The way global political and social scenes are leading to, the time has rightly arrived at that the key festivals of Hindu and Muslim festivals should be given key focusing to imbibe bonds of friendship and fraternities among Hindu and Muslim brethren. Muslims around the globe observe Muharram to pay obeisance to the sacrifice of innocent lives. Also the day of observance of Muharram is significant for the Muslims as well as for humanity around the globe that this particular day is sacred and full of purity for the citizens of Muslim nations. On this particular day, Shia Muslims also observe the day as a mark of paying obeisance to Imam Hussein.
The way global political and social scenes are leading to, the time has rightly arrived at that the key festivals of Hindu and Muslim festivals should be given key focusing to imbibe bonds of friendship and fraternities among Hindu and Muslim brethren. Muslims around the globe observe Muharram to pay obeisance to the sacrifice of innocent lives. Also the day of observance of Muharram is significant for the Muslims as well as for humanity around the globe that this particular day is sacred and full of purity for the citizens of Muslim nations. On this particular day, Shia Muslims also observe the day as a mark of paying obeisance to Imam Hussein.
History behind Muharram:
As per the historical significance behind the celebration of Muharram, whatever historical data is available with me I am trying to highlight for the cognizance of many of my online readers of India and Bangladesh. As already stated in the beginning that Muharram as a festival is celebrated all around the globe. But due to time constraints and realizing the patience of my elite online readers I try to focus upon two leading South Asian nations, India and Bangladesh. Coming to the historical aspect it has been deciphered that it was around fourteen centuries ago on the day of Ashura, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, Imam Hussain and his child were brutally murdered by a cruel and oppressive ruler in the Battle of Karbala. Although Imam Hussain was slained in the battled. But his message of love, kindness, justice and equality have become sources of inspiration and motivation among citizens of the globe. This signifies real victory as per social and cultural ethics are concerned. The same feelings should be ingrained by the citizens of both India and Bangladesh.
Anecdotes behind Muharram:
To write about anecdotes behind Muharram is not an easy task. The real anecdotes behind Muharram is no doubt a tragic one. It was on the 10th day of Muharram, also called Ashura, in the 61st year of Islamic calendar, the ferocious battle of Karbala took place. The battle took place between a small group of supporters and relatives of Prophet of Muhammad's grandson Imam Hussain, and a much larger military of Yazid 1, the Umayyad caliph. Imam Hussain' humble army consisted of only his friends and family members. Among friends and family members, women and young persons have the upper edge. But their dominance were short lived as they were surrounded by heavily armed enemies from all quarters. The enemies captured Hussain and all his team members thereby depriving them of water and food thereby making their lives miserable in desert for three consecutive days. The cruel opponent soldiers killed Hussain and his six year old kid. The women were captured and taken to the destination to a safer destination. The anecdotes which I have just highlighted for the cognizance of my revered online readers must sound truly an emotional one thereby Muslims honor the sacrifice with the observance of mourning period during the month of Muharram.
As per the historical significance behind the celebration of Muharram, whatever historical data is available with me I am trying to highlight for the cognizance of many of my online readers of India and Bangladesh. As already stated in the beginning that Muharram as a festival is celebrated all around the globe. But due to time constraints and realizing the patience of my elite online readers I try to focus upon two leading South Asian nations, India and Bangladesh. Coming to the historical aspect it has been deciphered that it was around fourteen centuries ago on the day of Ashura, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, Imam Hussain and his child were brutally murdered by a cruel and oppressive ruler in the Battle of Karbala. Although Imam Hussain was slained in the battled. But his message of love, kindness, justice and equality have become sources of inspiration and motivation among citizens of the globe. This signifies real victory as per social and cultural ethics are concerned. The same feelings should be ingrained by the citizens of both India and Bangladesh.
Anecdotes behind Muharram:
To write about anecdotes behind Muharram is not an easy task. The real anecdotes behind Muharram is no doubt a tragic one. It was on the 10th day of Muharram, also called Ashura, in the 61st year of Islamic calendar, the ferocious battle of Karbala took place. The battle took place between a small group of supporters and relatives of Prophet of Muhammad's grandson Imam Hussain, and a much larger military of Yazid 1, the Umayyad caliph. Imam Hussain' humble army consisted of only his friends and family members. Among friends and family members, women and young persons have the upper edge. But their dominance were short lived as they were surrounded by heavily armed enemies from all quarters. The enemies captured Hussain and all his team members thereby depriving them of water and food thereby making their lives miserable in desert for three consecutive days. The cruel opponent soldiers killed Hussain and his six year old kid. The women were captured and taken to the destination to a safer destination. The anecdotes which I have just highlighted for the cognizance of my revered online readers must sound truly an emotional one thereby Muslims honor the sacrifice with the observance of mourning period during the month of Muharram.
Ways of celebrating Muharram in India:
In India Muharram is celebrated on a broader scale. It is prior to and on the day of celebrating Muharram, Muslims take part in processions purely on barefoot. They chant religious hymns and whip their chests until and unless blood is emanated from their chests which dearly signifies the sufferings of Imam Hussayn. Sunni Muslims observe this fasting for at least three days. During this solemn moment, Muslims of India don't participate in any euphoric moment. They just celebrate by visiting mosque, praying to Allah, for well-being of their family members and entire humanity. Also member of Muslim communities spend time with family members during the days of festivities. In the same manner Muharram is celebrated all over India, apart from capital city New Delhi, despite there might be some variations in the celebrations, but those are of rare occurrence.
Ways of celebration of Muharram in Bangladesh:
Among the observances of Muharram in Bangladesh, I have little bit historical anecdotes about the celebrations in Dhaka, the capital city of this important nation of South Asian Sub Continent. The key venue of the celebration in Dhaka, is Husaini Dalan Imambara. As a token of mourning, Shias dressed themselves in black robes for a period of ten days. During these periods of time, Shia Muslims refrain themselves from involving into any sort of euphoria. Also there is a strict bar of any wedding ceremony during the days of Muharram. Act of restraint during Muharram: During the time of Muharram there should not be any feelings of irate attitude among different sects of Muslims. Rather there should be fullest power of restraint upon us so that our lives become smoother and ethical oriented.
In India Muharram is celebrated on a broader scale. It is prior to and on the day of celebrating Muharram, Muslims take part in processions purely on barefoot. They chant religious hymns and whip their chests until and unless blood is emanated from their chests which dearly signifies the sufferings of Imam Hussayn. Sunni Muslims observe this fasting for at least three days. During this solemn moment, Muslims of India don't participate in any euphoric moment. They just celebrate by visiting mosque, praying to Allah, for well-being of their family members and entire humanity. Also member of Muslim communities spend time with family members during the days of festivities. In the same manner Muharram is celebrated all over India, apart from capital city New Delhi, despite there might be some variations in the celebrations, but those are of rare occurrence.
Ways of celebration of Muharram in Bangladesh:
Among the observances of Muharram in Bangladesh, I have little bit historical anecdotes about the celebrations in Dhaka, the capital city of this important nation of South Asian Sub Continent. The key venue of the celebration in Dhaka, is Husaini Dalan Imambara. As a token of mourning, Shias dressed themselves in black robes for a period of ten days. During these periods of time, Shia Muslims refrain themselves from involving into any sort of euphoria. Also there is a strict bar of any wedding ceremony during the days of Muharram. Act of restraint during Muharram: During the time of Muharram there should not be any feelings of irate attitude among different sects of Muslims. Rather there should be fullest power of restraint upon us so that our lives become smoother and ethical oriented.
Conclusion:
Summing up the above views, one lesson which we may learn from the observance of Muharram, is that there should be total restraint one our part. This is also a glaring lesson for people of other religions like Hindu, Christian and others of both India and Bangladesh. Apart from various religious festivals we should not forget that act of restraint is equally relevant in our social, cultural, corporate and familial lives, which should be treated as biblical among citizens of India and Bangladesh.
Sujayendra Das is a Columnist, The Asian Age, Dhaka
Summing up the above views, one lesson which we may learn from the observance of Muharram, is that there should be total restraint one our part. This is also a glaring lesson for people of other religions like Hindu, Christian and others of both India and Bangladesh. Apart from various religious festivals we should not forget that act of restraint is equally relevant in our social, cultural, corporate and familial lives, which should be treated as biblical among citizens of India and Bangladesh.
Sujayendra Das is a Columnist, The Asian Age, Dhaka
