The month of Muharram is an incredible and blessed one. This month in Islamic calendar is considered most sacred as per below Quranic verse,

“Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are Sacred, (i.e. the 1st, the 7th, the 11th and the 12th months of the Islamic calendar). That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein” [Soorat at-Tawbah 9:36].

What is Muharram and Muharram begins after the sighting of the new moon on the final day of the Islamic calendar.

For what reason is Muharram celebrated?

The tenth day of Muharram, called Ashura, is a significant day for Muslims. It means the day Nuh (Noah) left the Ark, and the day that Prophet Musa (Moses) was saved from the Pharaoh of Egypt by God, crossing the Red Sea with his people.

Sunni and Shia Muslims address Muharram in a different way. For Sunni Muslims, this month is the start of the Islamic New Year and represents peace and reflection.

For Shia, Muharram recognizes the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein Ibn Ali. After scrutinizing the authenticity of the caliph Yazid, Hussein was killed during the Battle of Karbala, which occurred upon the arrival of Ashura in the year AD 680.

Because of the brutality of the fight and the murder of the Prophet’s grandson during a month when battling is prohibited, numerous Shia mourn the bravery of the Prophet’s family.

Fasting during the month:

The Noble Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:”The best fast after the fast of Ramadan is to fast in the month of Muharram.“

Even though the fast during the month of Muharram isn’t required, one who fasts these days of his own will is qualified for an incredible reward from Allah, the Almighty.

What is Muharram the Hadeeth referred to above signifies that fasting in the month of Muharram is the most rewardable among voluntary fasting. It doesn’t imply that the honor guaranteed for the fast of Muharram can be accomplished uniquely by fasting for the entire month. Unexpectedly, fasting any day during this month has its benefits. Consequently, one should benefit from this open door as much as could be expected under the circumstances.

The day of ‘Aashooraa’:

What is Muharram Although Muharram is a sacred month as a whole, yet, the 10th day of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days.

The day is named ‘Aashooraa’. according to Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, when the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) migrated to Madeenah, he found that the Jews of Madeenah used to fast on the 10th day of Muharram.

They said that it was the day on which Prophet Moosa (Moses), [may Allah exalt his mention] and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously and Pharaoh was drowned in its waters.

On hearing this from the Jews, the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “We are worthier of Moosa than you,” and he urged the Muslims to fast on the day of ‘Aashooraa’. [Abu Dawood]

It is recommended to fast the ninth in addition to the tenth of Muharram.

This is the way Muslims considers Muharam dissimilar to how non-muslims siblings and sisters are imagining that Muslims would beat themselves on day of Muharam (also insinuate that there are different conventions followed by shiah Muslims like running over the finished stones which is likewise not said by Prophet)

CONCLUSION: Subsequently next time you meet your Muslim companion you better not wish him ‘Happy Muharam’ since this is a day of grieving however not to be praised in any methods as referenced above. Since those exercises are not supported by Prophet