Muharram is the month with
which the Muslims begin their lunar Hijrah Calendar. It is one of the four
sanctified months about which the Holy Quran says, "The number of the months
according to Allah is twelve (mentioned) in the Book of Allah on the day He
created heavens and the earth. Among these (twelve months) there are four
sanctified."
These four months, according to the authentic traditions, are Dhul-Qa'dah,
Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. All the commentators of the Holy Quran are
unanimous on this point, because the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), in his
sermon on the occasion of his last Hajj, declared: "One year consists of twelve
months, of which four are sanctified months, three of them are in sequence;
Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and the fourth is Rajab."
The specific mention of these four months does not mean that any other month has
no sanctity, because the month of Ramadan is admittedly the most sanctified
month in the year. But these four months were specifically termed as sanctified
months for the simple reason that their sanctity was accepted even by the pagans
of Makkah.
In fact, every month, out of the twelve, is originally equal to the other, and
there is no inherent sanctity that may be attributed to one of them in
comparison to the other months. When Allah Almighty chooses a particular time
for His special blessings, the same acquires sanctity out of His grace.
Thus, the sanctity of these four months was recognized right from the days of
Sayyidina Ibrahim, alayhi salam. Since the Pagans of Makkah attributed
themselves to Sayyidina Ibrahim, alayhi salam, they observed the sanctity of
these four months and despite their frequent tribal battles, they held it
unlawful to fight in these months.
In the Shariah of our Noble Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), the sanctity of these
months was upheld and the Holy Quran referred to them as the "sanctified
months".
Muharram has certain other characteristics special to it, which are specified
below.
Fasting During the Month
The Day of 'Ashurah'
Misconceptions and Baseless Traditions
Lamentations and Mourning