Every Islamic month has its religious and historical values. Like, the month of Ramadan is termed as the most sacred month of Islamic calendar in which Muslims perform fast for 30 days. Likewise, month of Muharram/Moharram is also vital because of many bases, one because it is the first month of Islamic calendar, and another because of a historical incident attached with it. That incident has deeply affected the whole Muslim fraternity and their beliefs, fundamentals and philosophy till date.

The date, 10^th of Muharram, which is also declared by government of India as a holiday is the day when Muslims commemorate the death of Imam Al Hussain.

History:

Imam Hussain bin Hazrat Ali is the grandson of The Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (SAW). Imam Hussain is son of Hazrat Ali and Fatima Zahra, daughter of Prophet Muhammad (saw), Imam Hussain’s elder brother is Imam Hasan. (Mercy and Peace be upon the prophet’s(saw) family)

Imam Hussain was martyred on 10^th Muharram 61 AH i.e. 10^th October 680 A.D with a group of 72 people including his family members, friends and followers at the Desert of Karbala in Iraq by the army of that time, tyrant yazid.

Yazid was a self proclaimed ruler of Islamic empire who not only disregarded the highest authority and first family of Prophet(saw) known as ahl-e-bait which includes Ali, Fatima, Hasan and Hussain but his materialistic greed for power and leisure also uprooted the discipline and laws of Islam.

Imam Hussain stood against the terror of yazid and with his handful of heroic warriors; he bravely fought with the powerful yazidi army who also stopped the water supply for three days for caravan of Imam Hussain by raising barricades on the only river Furahat in desert trodden land of Karbala.

Commemorating Muharram

Muslims remember the pain and sorrow of Imam Hussain and his followers for whole 10 days of Muharram starting from 1^st to 10^th of Muharram every year.

Various religious programs followed by oration, processions and other activities take place by Muslim community.

The Muslims are divided into various sects and sub sects, mainly in Shia and Sunni manner of Islam.  Though both sects are recognized as Muslim but they have mixed religious principle, precisely if to talk about Muharram, these both sects vary vastly from each other. Majority of world population of Muslims are Sunni.

As this editorial is subjected to Shia Muslims of Udaipur, I further continue with more details on this minority sect of Islam.

Shia/Shi’ites in Udaipur

In Udaipur, there are more than 150,000 Muslims (both shias and sunni). Dawoodi Bohras and Shia Athna Ashari are two main Shia sub sects living in the city since long, where Bohra community holds majority of Shia population with more than 15000 people, Athna/Ishna Asharis are merely 50-75 in number.

Activities in Muharram

Shias, both Bohras and Ishna Ashari highly regard 10 days of Muharram as most sacred days and indulge in various religious activities. They mourn for 10 days and detach themselves from routine activities or any festivity. Any joyful celebration is strictly prohibited in these 10 days.

They recite story of karbala in a poetic manner and beat their chest in grief remembering the furious battle of karbala and martyrdom of Imam Hussain. They keep fast on the 10^th day of month known as Ashura and many keep it for all 10 days.

They also set temporary water counters known as sabeel and offer water to everyone in the memory of thirst Imam Hussain and his followers went through for 3 days. Many also wear black clothes to show their distress.

This year, to address Dawoodi Bohras (shabab) Janab Taha Bhai Saheb grandson of Bohra Spirtual Leader Syedna Muhammad Burhanuddin is conducting religious sermons (waaz) at moiadpura Mosque. In Dawoodi Bohra (youth) Mulla Peer Ali deliver waaz at wazirpura mosque.

In Shia Ithna Ashari community, Maulana Shamshad Ahmed Rizvi from Delhi is addressing people at Imam-Bada located at Anjanta Hotel Lane, Hathipol.

In History, we have learnt about many great personalities who have raised voice against evil and in most cases good won by killing evil.

History of Karbala is very unusual where Imam Hussain was killed by tyrants but his death ignited a new revolution and set an example to the world that 1400 years back how a man stood against terror and sacrificed his life to save the precision, Islam is stood upon, firmly.

Imam Hussain is still alive in his preachings and will be forever.