Islamic New Year: What Is Ashura And When It Observed In 2023 In India? Know All About Muharram

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar or you can say an Islamic New Year and is considered to be a sacred month. It is a time of mourning for Muslims, as it commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

On the Day of Ashura also called the 10th day of Muharram, Muslims around the world observe a fast and attend special prayer meetings. They may also engage in other religious activities, such as reading the Quran, reciting poetry, and giving charity.

Muharram 2023 images | Photo: Freepik

The Day of Ashura is a public holiday in many Muslim-majority countries while in India the festival is a gazetted holiday, which means that government offices, schools, and businesses are closed on Ashura.

Since Islamic New Year began people around the globe want to know when is Ashura and what is it. So here we listed all details about the holy festival, keep scrolling to know more:

Islamic New Year 2023

Muharram or the first month of the Islamic calendar in India began on Thursday, 20 July 2023. The month of Muharram is observed for 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the new moon. The 10th day of Muharram, known as Ashura, is a major day of observance for Muslims around the world. On Ashura, Muslims commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, and also a time of remembrance for the Muslim Ummah.

When is Ashura 2023?

Ashura will be observed on Friday, July 28, 2023, in India. Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar, and Ashura is the 10th day of Muharram. It is a day of mourning for Shia Muslims, who commemorate the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. Sunni Muslims also observe Ashura, but they do not see it as a day of mourning. However, they observe fast, pray, and reflection on the day of Ashura as a way of showing gratitude to Allah.

In India, Ashura is a public holiday. Schools and most businesses are closed on the day of Ashura. Muslims often attend special prayers and processions on Ashura. They may also fast or give to charity.

Here is the tentative schedule of events for Ashura in 2023 in India:

Friday, July 28, 2023 - The 9th of Muharram. Some Muslims may observe fast on this day.

Saturday, July 29, 2023 - The 10th of Muharram, also known as Ashura. This is the main day of mourning for Shia Muslims. There will be special prayers and processions in mosques and other public places.

Sunday, July 30, 2023 - The 11th of Muharram. This day is a day of reflection and mourning for Shia Muslims. There may be fewer public events on this day.

Please note that the dates for Ashura are tentative and may change based on the sighting of the new moon.

What is the meaning of Ashura?

"Ashura" the 10th day of Muharram comes from the Arabic word for the number ten, and the word Muharram comes from the Arabic word haram, meaning forbidden.

What is Ashura?

Ashura is the tenth day of the month of Muharram in the Islamic calendar which fall on 29th July this year. It is a day of religious significance for Muslims and is observed by fasting, mourning, and gathering for religious commemorations.

The most important event associated with Ashura is the martyrdom of Hussain Ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. He was killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD, along with his family and followers.

The battle was a major turning point in Islamic history, and Ashura is a day when Muslims remember the sacrifice of Hussain and his companions.

In addition to mourning the death of Hussain Ibn Ali, Ashura is also a day of fasting. Muslims who are able to fast on Ashura are rewarded for doing so. The fast is observed from sunrise to sunset.

Ashura is also a day of gathering for religious commemorations. In many Muslim countries, there are public processions and gatherings where Muslims come together to remember the battle of Karbala. These gatherings often include speeches, readings from the Quran, and prayers.

Ashura is a day of great importance to Muslims. It is a day of mourning, fasting, and religious commemoration. Muslims around the world observe Ashura in different ways, but all share the common goal of remembering the sacrifice of Hussain Ibn Ali.

History of Ashura

The history of Ashura is a complex and multifaceted one. The day commemorates a number of events that are important to both Sunni and Shia Muslims, but the most significant event is the martyrdom of Hussain Ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad in the battle of Karbala which took place 10th of Mu?arram 61 Al-Hijri.

Hussain the grandson of Prophet Muhammad was a 7th-century revolutionary leader, who was believed to be the rightful successor to the Prophet Muhammad.

In 680 AD, Hussain with his followers went to Karbala in modern-day Iraq, to challenge the Umayyad caliph Yazid. Where he and his followers were brutally killed by the Umayyad army which was much larger and better equipped. Since their deaths became a rallying cry for Muslims worldwide and became an annual day of mourning.

The Day of 10th day of Muharram also called Ashura is also important to Muslim communities because it is believed that on this day Moses and his followers obtained victory over the Egyptian Pharaoh.

Why do Shias observe Ashura?

Shia Muslims observe Ashura as a significant day of mourning and remembrance. It commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, and his follower in the Battle of Karbala in the year 680 AD.

Imam Hussein, along with his family members and followers, stood up against the oppressive and tyrannical rule of the Umayyad caliph, Yazid. On the tenth day of the Islamic month of Muharram, which is known as Ashura, Imam Hussein and his companions were brutally killed after enduring immense suffering, including thirst and hunger.

Shia Muslims observe Ashura as a day of mourning and reflection. The commemoration typically involves processions, gatherings, and recitations of elegies that express grief and highlight the sacrifices made by Imam Hussein and his followers. These events aim to keep alive the memory of Imam Hussein's stand for justice and serve as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against oppression and injustice in the world.

Why do Sunnis observe Ashura?

The Day of Ashura is observed differently by Sunnis. They observe Ashura as a day of remembrance and gratitude for the liberation of the Israelites from the oppression of Pharaoh in ancient Egypt. According to Islamic tradition, Prophet Moses and his followers were saved from the Egyptians on the 10th day of Muharram, which is known as Ashura.

Some Sunni Muslims choose to fast on the day of Ashura as an act of worship and to follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have fasted on the day of Ashura even before the obligation of Ramadan fasting was established.

The Prophet Muhammad recommended fasting on the day of Ashura as a means of earning reward and seeking forgiveness for the previous year's sins. However, he also encouraged Muslims to fast an additional day to differentiate themselves from the Jewish community who also fasted on Ashura.

Is fasting compulsory on Ashura?

For Sunni Muslims, fasting on the day of Ashura is recommended but not compulsory while Shias don't take part in any fasting on this day.

Significance of Ashura

Ashura is the tenth day of the Islamic month of Muharram, according to Islamic Calendar. It is a significant day for Muslims worldwide for a number of reasons.

For Sunni Muslims, Ashura commemorates the day that Allah (SWT) parted the Red Sea to allow the Israelites to escape from Pharaoh's army. This event is mentioned in the Quran, and the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) encouraged Muslims to fast on Ashura as a way of showing gratitude to Allah.

For Shia Muslims, Ashura commemorates the martyrdom of Hussain Ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. Hussain was killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD, and his death is a source of great sadness and grief for Shia Muslims.

On the day of Ashura, Muslims observe a number of different rituals and practices. Sunni Muslims typically fast on Ashura, while Shias engage in acts of self-flagellation, such as chest-beating or self-flagellation with chains, wearing black clothes as a symbolic expression of grief and solidarity with the suffering of Imam Hussein. It's important to note that these practices are not universally followed by all Shia Muslims and vary based on cultural and regional traditions.

Ashura is a time for Muslims to reflect on the importance of faith, sacrifice, and justice. It is also a time to come together as a community and mourn the loss of Hussain.

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