Muharram 2025: Know, Date, Origin, Significance And More About The Revered Festival

Muharram has a great significance in Islam. It is the first month of the Islamic calendar and this month is considered to be a very holy month. It is thought that the positive actions taken during this time produce numerous rewards. The Islamic calendar indicates that this Muharram is expected to start on the night of 26-27 June 2025. In India, Ashura is typically observed on the 10th day of Muharram, which falls on Sunday, July 6, 2025.

About Muharram

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and holds deep religious and emotional significance for Muslims worldwide. Marked by mourning, reflection, and devotion, especially for Shia Muslims, Muharram commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (the grandson of Prophet Muhammad) at the Battle of Karbala. It is a time of spiritual renewal, prayer, and remembrance of the values of justice, sacrifice, and truth.

What is the meaning of Muharram?

Muharram is one of the four sacred months in the Islamic calendar and marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year. However, unlike joyous New Year celebrations elsewhere, Muharram is a solemn and reflective time for Muslims, especially for Shia communities around the world. The word Muharram means "forbidden," and it is considered a sacred month during which warfare is traditionally prohibited.

The most significant event associated with this month is the martyrdom of Imam Hussain ibn Ali, the beloved grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He was killed on the 10th of Muharram, known as Ashura, in the year 680 CE, during the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq.

What is Ashura?

Ashura is a day of deep mourning and remembrance. Shia Muslims commemorate it through *majlis (gatherings), processions, recitations, and reenactments of Karbala’s events. Many also observe fasting, offer prayers, and engage in charity. For Sunni Muslims, Ashura is also significant as it marks the day Prophet Musa (Moses) and his people were saved from Pharaoh’s tyranny. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) recommended fasting on this day as an act of gratitude and devotion.