Muharram 2023 Date in India: The months of Islamic calendar are Muharram 2023, Safar, Rabiʽ al-Awwal, Rabiʽ al-Thani, Jumada al-Awwal, Jumada al-Thani, Rajab, Sha’ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhu al-Qadah, and Dhu al-Hijjah.
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar which is considered as the second holiest month, only after Ramadan. The tenth day of the month, called as the Day of Ashura (Arabic word for number 10) is the day of mourning on which the Muslims mourn the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali and his family. Muslims abstain themselves from engaging in any kind of joyous activity and eat very little.
Sunni Muslims observe complete fasting on the day of Ashura. Complete details related to Muharram 2023 such as its significance, ritual, celebrations, etc are provided here in this article.
Muharram Date 2023
The date of Muharram 2023 remains the same when calculated using the Islamic calendar (lunar), but it keeps changing in the Gregorian calendar (solar). As per the Gregorian calendar, every year Muharram falls approximately 11 days earlier than the previous year. Muharram in 2023 starts on 19th July and Ashura begins from 27th July 2023.
Holiday on Muharram 2023
Muharram is a public holiday in many states of India and all the public offices, schools and banks within the state will remain close on this day. Many private offices can also observe a public holiday on the occasion of Muharram or can provide restricted holiday to the Muslim employees.
Shops and markets, especially in regions with majority population of Muslims, normally remain close or have reduced opening hours.
Martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali
When Husayn ibn Ali refused to submit to Yazid as he believed that he was against the teachings of Islam, Yazid’s army captured him along with his family near Karbala. They were tortured for 10 days and were deprived of water from the 7th day onward.
On the tenth day of capture, Husayn and 72 of his followers were killed at the Battle of Karbala on the order of Yazid. Other survivors were captured and imprisoned in Damascus for the rest of their lives.
Mourning on Muharram 2023
The mourning of Muharram 2023 begins from the first night of the month and continues up to 10 days. The tenth day is the Day of Ashura which is the main day of mourning and fasting. Muslims wear black clothes on this day and spend long hours in mosques offering prayers. Processions are carried out in the streets as well and they sing and cry loudly as an act of mourning.
Many people abstain completely from food on this day while others consume very little amount of food. Chest-beating, self-flagellation with chains and forehead-cutting are also some practices associated with Muharram that is an expression for grief over the martyrdom of Husayn and his family at the Battle of Karbala.
Incidents in the month of Muharram 2023
Other than the martyr of Husayn ibn Ali, there are many other incidents as well that occurred in the month of Muharram. These incidents occurred in different time periods but were observed in the month of Muharram only. Check out these incidents one by one.
On 1st day of Muharram in the year 1979, the Grand Mosque was seized.
In 680 CE, on the 3rd day of Muharram, Husayn ibn Ali entered Karbala and establisheed camp with Yazid’s forces already present.
The 5th day of Muharram marks the death anniversary (urs) of Baba Farid, a Punjabi Sufi saint, who died in 1266 AD. The urs is celebrated for six days during Muharram in Pakpattan, Pakistan.
On the 7th day of Muharram access to water was banned to Husayn ibn Ali by Yazid’s orders.
On 8th day of Muharram, referred to as the Muharram Rebellion, the Bengali Muslims of Sylhet lead one of the earliest anti-British uprisings in the subcontinent in the year 1782.
10th day of Muharram, called as Referred to as the Day of Ashura Husayn ibn Ali was martyred in the Battle of Karbala.
In the 1879, Muhammad Sirajuddin Naqshbandi was born on the 15th day of Muharram.
25th day of Muharram marks the martyrdom of Zayn al-‘Abidin, fourth Shia Imam, who was killed by Marvanian in 714 AD.
The 28th day of Muharram marks the death anniversary (urs) of Ashraf Jahangir Semnani, an Indian Sufi saint, in 1405 AD.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answer: 28th and 29th July 2023
Answer: It is the tenth day of Muharram
Answer: Ashura is the 10th day of Muharram.
