Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Muharram
Muharram
Muharram is not a festival in the celebratory sense as it mourns the Karbala tragedy when
Imam Husain, grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was martyred in the early days of Islamic
history. It is observed in different ways in various parts of India.
Profusely decorated taziyas (bamboo and paper replicas of the martyr's tomb), embellished
with gilt and mica are carried through city streets. Mourners beat their breasts lamenting and
grieving over the murder, accompanied by drum beats. Wrestlers and dancers enact scenes
depicting the battle at Karbala and at each step young men beat their breasts crying "Husain!
Husain!" in collective sorrow.
This tragedy is observed with great passion in Lucknow, in particular, as it is the centre of
Shia culture and religious activities, and accordingly a large number of taziyas and the alams
(standards of Hazrat Imam Hussain's army) are taken out all over the city. In places other
than Lucknow, the taziyas are taken out and buried in the local burial ground known as the
Karbala.
Importance Of Fasting
Fasting in the month of Muharram is highly desired, especially on the tenth day, 'Ashura. The
Messenger of Allah (saas) has been reported as saying when asked which prayer is better
after obligatory prayer: "Prayer in the middle of the night." He was asked again which fast is
better after Ramadan. He said: "In the month that is called Al-Muharram."