Islamic New Year – What is Muharram? And what is its importance?

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, known as the Hijri calendar. It is considered a holy month, second only to Ramadan in terms of importance. The great importance of the month of Muharram in Islamic culture and history comes from several factors:

1- Islamic New Year:

The beginning of Muharram is the beginning of a new Hijri year, as most Muslims celebrate the first day of the Islamic year on the first day of it. The month of Muharram begins after the sighting of the new moon on the last day of the Islamic calendar. It is a time to meditate, renew faith, and set intentions for the year ahead, just like New Year's celebrations in other cultures. This year, Muharram is expected to start on July 7, 2024, and next year on June 26, 2025, according to the um al-Qura calendar.

2- Celebrating Ashura:

The tenth day of Muharram, known as Ashura, is of particular importance; it is the day when God's prophet Noah came out of the ark, and it is also the day God saved the prophet Moses from the tyranny of Pharaoh, crossing the sea with his people. As it is a day of mourning and commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the tribe of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD, this event is pivotal for Islam as it serves as a reminder to stand against injustice and oppression.

3- Spiritual Meditation:

The month of Muharram is a good time for Muslims to engage in self-reflection, repentance, and spiritual growth. Many Muslims use this month as an opportunity to strengthen their relationship with God through frequent prayer, Quran recitation and almsgiving.

Spiritual meditation during the month of Muharram is a deep personal and internal practice of Muslims, encompassing various aspects of faith, dedication and self-improvement. Spiritual meditation during this holy month is manifested in the following points:

Reflection on Sacrifice: Ashura prompts Muslims to reflect on the final sacrifice of Imam Hussein and his companions in the Battle of Karbala. This meditation instills a sense of humility and gratitude for the sacrifices made by those who stood against injustice, and inspires believers to emulate their courage and resilience in the face of challenges in their lives.

Repentance and forgiveness: The month of Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar year, which leads Muslims to reflect on their past actions and ask for forgiveness for any negligence or sins. It is a time to repent and ask for God's mercy and forgiveness, as believers seek to start the new year with a clean record and a renewed commitment to godliness.

Worship and Sincerity: Muslims engage in worship during the month of Muharram, including prayer, Quran recitation, and supplication. Many believers seek to strengthen their relationship with the Lord of the worlds through prayer, especially on the nights of Muharram, in pursuit of spiritual elevation and closeness to God.

Meditation and Self-Evaluation: Muharram provides an opportunity for reflection and self-evaluation, as Muslims assess their spiritual progress, moral behavior, and adherence to Islamic principles. Believers reflect on their intentions, actions, and relationships, and strive to identify areas for spiritual improvement and growth in the coming year.

Renewing commitment to faith: Muharram is a time to reaffirm one's commitment to Islam and its teachings. Muslims reflect on the core values of faith, compassion, and justice, and seek to assimilate these principles into their daily lives and interactions with others.

Thanksgiving and satisfaction: Spiritual meditation in the month of Muharram often involves expressing thanks for God's blessings and virtues, as well as satisfaction with spending it. Despite the challenges and experiences they face, believers are reminded to remain patient, flexible and thankful for the opportunities for forgiveness offered by Muharram and the Islamic New Year.

4- Community Cohesion:

Muharram is the time when Muslims come together as a community to commemorate historical events, share meals and support each other. Gatherings often include lectures, poetry, and rituals to honor the sacrifices of Imam Hussein and his companions.

But community bonding during Muharram extends beyond religious rites and rituals; it includes a sense of solidarity, empathy and support among Muslims. Here's how community bonding looks like this month:

Majalis and gatherings: Muslims gather in mosques, community centers, and homes to attend majlis, which are private gatherings where clerics give sermons and lectures on the importance of Muharram and the events in Karbala and the lessons learned from them. These gatherings provide a platform for community members to meet, learn, and engage in spiritual reflection.

Shared meals and hospitality: During Muharram, it is common for Muslims to host communal meals, in which food is offered free of charge to attendees as a form of charity and hospitality. These meals strengthen the bonds between community members as they break bread together and share stories, fostering loneliness and belonging.

Support networks: Muharram is often a reminder of the importance of supporting each other, especially in times of adversity. Communities may organize charity campaigns, blood donation camps, or volunteer efforts to help those in need, and show compassion and solidarity within the community.

Cultural expression: The month of Muharram also provides a platform for cultural expression through various art forms, including poetry, recitations and processions. These cultural activities not only honour the memory of Imam Hussein, but also bring people together, celebrate common heritage and foster a sense of belonging within the community.

Interfaith dialogue: In some societies, Muharram serves as an opportunity for interfaith dialogue and communication, inviting non-Muslim Muslims to learn about the importance of the month, share their traditions, and promote understanding and tolerance across religious lines.

Overall, the month of Muharram serves as a focal point for community cohesion, as Muslims come together to celebrate, reflect and support each other, emphasizing the values of compassion, unity and solidarity within the ummah (community). This month's spiritual meditation encourages Muslims to deepen their faith, seek forgiveness, and strive for spiritual growth and moral excellence as a new year begins.