Muharram-ul-Haram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is a really profitable, sacred, and holy month for Muslims throughout the world. Muharram is a month defined by deep emotions, history, reflections, prayers, and memories. Muharram moreover provides us with many strong and impactful lessons that we can use in our perpetual life.
Let's learn about these 10 powerful lessons, and get an understanding of how people in Pakistan observe these rituals in the first month of the Islamic calendar.
Muharram-ul-Haram is the first month in the Islamic calendar which starts after the completion of Zul-Hijjah. Since the Islamic calendar emerged on the lunar cycle, Muharram will become different any year on the English calendar.
In 2025, Muharram-ul-Haram will begin on the night of Thursday, June 27 and Ashura (10th Muharram) will take place on the day of Tuesday, July 7. These dates are recognized with solemnity and introspection by Muslims around the world — most purposefully in Pakistan.
The 9th and 10th of Muharram, distinguished as Ashura days, are the most significant of the month. It is during these days that we remember the great tragedy of Karbala. On the tenth of Muharram, Imam Hussain (R.A.), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and his partners were martyred for status up for truthfulness and justice. The lesson we gather from this is daring, sacrifice, and status up for what is right, chiefly when every odds is resisting you.
Muharram is one of the four sacred months in Islam, which is why it is very difficult for our Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) to fast on the 9th and 10th. It is a month of peace, of patience, and remembering those that made great sacrifices for the sake of Allah.
The 9th and tenth of Muharram are public holidays in Pakistan. Schools, workplaces, and businesses are closed. Many people are at home, watching Islamic religious TV packages, and going to majalis (religious gatherings), wherein they could listen to pupils provide history about Karbala and speak approximately the lessons learned from the lifestyles of Imam Hussain (R.A.). Some households put together nazr-o-niyaz (loose food) and deliver meals to their neighbors, buddies, and those who're negative.
On Ashura, several people in Pakistan march in processions (known as jaloos) through the streets of cities and towns. They wear black apparel to reflect mourning, walk in silence remembering the painful tragedy that passed off in Karbala.
There are also individuals that may go to the Imambargahs where clerics narrate speeches, stories and reflections on Karbala. In addition, some individuals will donate blood or participate in the organization of food and water stations for the mourners; acts that signify the sense of unity and love for the teachings of Islam.
The story of Karbala inspires us with the wealth to recall that despite challenge and suffering we are strong and can be patient. Imam Hussain (R.A.) and his relatives never lost hope smoothly in calamity when they were hungry for days and had no water to drink.
We furthermore learn from them the value of sabr (patience) and reliance on Allah when tested.
One of the lessons to be learned from Muharram is that it is always great to tell the reality. Imam Hussain (R.A.) did not consent to a tyrant king's supremacy; he would never receive injustice at the cost of his life. He stood for justice and clarity.
This is a valuable lesson about doing the proper thing and telling the consistency, steady when it is demanding.
Mochi Gate is one of thirteen gates of the old walled city of Lahore, Pakistan. It has cultural and religious significance and plays an important role as the area surrounding Mochi Gate sees heightened activity during the month of Muharram.
Multiple majalis (gathering) and jaloos (procession) can be organized from here. It is one of the best-known Muharram locations in Pakistan.
The Mochi Gate community is very active during Muharram in keeping the history of Karbala alive. The residents clean the streets, put beautiful decorations on Imambargahs, and organize programs for the narration of the events of Karbala.
Every year, we have thousands of people come from all parts of Lahore to participate in these events. The community provides free food, water and other beverages such as sabeel to everyone, as a representation of hospitality and oneness in humanity.
This community encapsulates how people of various backgrounds can join together to memorialize history as well as maintain their faith and beliefs.
Muharram shows us that we are each one community. Regardless of where we originate from, what race we suit in, or what language we speak, we are all Muslims and we altogether recollect the equal story. In this manner, Karbala reminds us to stay together and to aid one another.
When humans walk in jaloos together, or eat together in a majalis, it closes hearts together. Togetherness is one of the most beautiful things that we can learn from Muharram.
Muharram-ul-Haram does not constitute merely a month of grief, but also serves as a month full of lessons. We recall the halation of multiplicity because we believe that by honoring the day with respect and love, we can live our lives in a better way. The lessons of dignity, patience, sacrifice, unity, and peace still matter today.
In Pakistan, people attract these days with love, care, and respect. From smaller cities to larger ones like Lahore and Karachi, humans honor the message of Imam Hussain (R.A.) utterly and devoutly.
Thus, as we access Muharram, let us not forget and exercise these 10 enormous instructions, no longer only for the duration of this holy month then again one by using in the future.