With the Hajj over, it’s time to look ahead to the new Islamic Year.

The Islamic Year is based on a fully lunar calendar, meaning that time is counted based on how long it takes for the moon to orbit earth. There are 12 months per Islamic year, with each month beginning with the new moon. It takes the moon about 29.5 days to change from new moon to new moon, and one calendar year is approximately 354 days. (This is why Muslim holiday dates change every year on the Gregorian calendar, because the lunar calendar is shorter than the solar calendar.)

What is Muharram, and when is it?

The first month on the Islamic calendar is called Muharram. When Prophet Muhammad began preaching monotheism in Makkah, tribal leaders didn’t like it. Early Muslims faced oppression, torture and boycott in their own city for renouncing the mainstream faith. This forced them to migrate out of Makkah. The historic event was chosen as a turning point to calculate the calendar year, and keep track of the events that took place before migration and after migration.

The word Muharram means “that which is made sacred.” It holds great significance in Islam because it is one of the four sacred months. It is particularly significant to the Shia sect of Islam. In 2024, Muharram 1st will take place on July 8th.

How is Muharram celebrated?

Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic year. New year celebrations are not common in the Islamic tradition. Instead, people might use this as a time to internally reflect, set goals or take note of time. In the month of Muharram, practicing Sunni Muslims may wish to keep optional fasts.

In the Shia sect, Muharram is a major observance commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. It’s observed with congregational gatherings all throughout the month of Muharram, but particularly from the 7th to the 10th of Muharram. Depending on the part of the world, this also includes street processions and city wide closures observing the mourning of Imam Hussain and the martyrs of Karbala. Individually, Shia families might observe the mourning in ways such as not having joyous occasions as part of Muharram’s mourning period.

shia muslims during muharram
tariq sulemani//Getty Images
Remembrance ceremonies for martyrdom of Imam Hussain.

What is Ashura?

The 10th day of Muharram is called Ashura, and it is of particular importance. It is believed, on this day, God saved Moses and his people from Pharoah by parting the sea. Moses fasted on this day out of gratitude, so it became a tradition in the Islamic faith to also fast on this day. However, once the fasting of Ramadan became obligatory, fasting on Ashura became optional. The day symbolizes God granting relief to those being oppressed.

It is also believed that Ashura was the day when Noah’s ark safely came to rest, Jonah was released from the belly of the whale, when Job was cured of his illness and when Adam’s repentance was accepted. 

For those fasting on Ashura, they might celebrate with an iftar meal, similar to iftar dinners in Ramadan. In some cultures, making a dessert specifically for Ashura is common. Dessert is a nice treat after a day of fasting, and it is celebratory, commemorating the victories and wins God has given to Prophets on Ashura. 

Why it’s important

Muharram is important because it’s a sacred month. There are four sacred months in the Islamic calendar. A sacred month means that fighting is prohibited in it. In Islam, salvation is earned through one’s own intentions and actions. In sacred months, good deeds weigh heavier and sins are more serious as well.

Apart from being a sacred month, Muharram is the best month to fast after Ramadan. It is also known as God’s Month.

For Shia Muslims, it is important because it commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and the massacre at Karbala.