Muharram 2022: History, day and significance of Ashura

Muharram is the first month of the Hijri or Islamic calendar. Considered to be the second holiest month after Ramadan, and one of the four sacred months of the year when war is forbidden, Muharram is a time for reflection and penance.
Muslims refrain from donning new and vibrant outfits, especially on the Day of Ashura, and getting married or engaged. People visit mosques to offer prayers. During Muharram, one recites religious hymns called Nohas. Charitable acts are done in the month of Muharram. Donations to the poor and food distribution events are organised.

Ashura is the tenth day of Muharram. For Sunni Muslims, Ashura is a day for fasting to show gratitude to God for saving Moses and his followers by parting the Red Sea.

According to Islam, the Prophet Muhammad called the month of Muharram as the ‘sacred month of Allah’. This year, the month of Muharram began in India on 31 July. Ashura will begin in the evening of August 7 and end in the evening of 8 August this year.

Since the Islamic calendar is based on the cycle of the moon, it is 13 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. Therefore, the date of Ashura varies every year.