Let’s preserve our unique and exemplary culture
Moharram is the first month of Islamic calendar met to commemorate the sacrifice of Imam Husain (a.s) by grief and sorrow and show the world how good doers get eternity and bad doers get hatred.
Actually this is a movement against the evil forces of entire world including terrorism. This is not only a festival of Muslims, in fact this is a festival of humanity and sacrifice.
The month of Moharram is of great religious significance to Muslims all over the world. The word ‘Moharram’ is often considered synonymous with ‘Ashura’, the 10th day of Moharram month.
It is believed that Husain (a.s), the grandson of the prophet Muhammad, became a martyr at the Battle of Karbala on the 10th day of Moharram in 61 AH (680 AD). As this tragic incident happened on the 10th day of Moharram, Muslims consider this a day of sorrow.
During the entire period of Moharram, people keep themselves away from music and all joyous events that can distract them in any way from the sorrowful remembrance of that day.
Drinking posts (sabeels) are also set up by all communities where water and juice are served to all, free of charge, because Imam Husain(a.s), his associates and his six month son Ali Asghar (a.s) were killed thirsty.
The processions of Moharram in Lucknow have special significance. They were started during the reign of Awadh nawabs. The majlis’, processions and other rituals observed by different communities to commemorate the sacrifice of Hussain are known as Azadari.
HOLI AND ASHURA
A story goes that once during the reign of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, Ashura happened to fall on the same day as Holi that is full of celebration and happiness.
When the king got up in the morning and realised that people were not on the roads playing colours as they would usually do, he inquired from his secretary and came to know that in solidarity of their Muslim king the subjects have decided not to play Holi as it is mourning day.
The king was so touched that he decided to throw the first colour and let his Hindu subjects celebrate the festival. The Hindus played colour till 10 in the morning and then joined the king in the mourning and other Moharram rituals.
‘HUSAIN BRAHMINS’
It is not known to all that Imam Husain (a.s) was heading to India when the cruel incident happened in Karbala (Iraq).
When it was reported to King Chandrgupta that Imam Husain (a.s) had been surrounded by evil forces of Yazeed at Iraq comprising 10 lakh soldiers, he sent his men to help him and bring him to India. But they reached late.
These were the Indians who came forward to save the man (Imam Husain) who saved Islam by sacrificing himself with his family. The people who were sent to save Imam Husain(a.s) were called ‘Husaini Brahmins’.
Moharram is a unique occasion on the socio-cultural fabric of Indian history, which presents an unparalleled example of Hindu-Muslim unity and communal harmony.
It’s our responsibility to rekindle, maintain and preserve our unique, ideal and exemplary culture, which makes us different from the world.