By Nazeer Ahemd Kazi
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and is regarded as one of the holiest months in Islam. It is particularly significant because it commemorates the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Husain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Hazrat Imam Husain was killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE (61 AH). Muslims across the world remember and honour his sacrifice during this month.
Ashura, observed on the 10th day of Muharram (this year to fall on 26 June 2026), holds special religious significance. For many Muslims, it is a day of remembrance of Imam Husain’s stand against injustice, tyranny, and oppression. Imam Husain, along with members of his family and companions, was martyred at Karbala after refusing to pledge allegiance to the Umayyad ruler Yazid ibn Muawiyah.
The martyrdom of Imam Husain is widely regarded as a symbol of courage, moral integrity, and resistance to oppression. Many Muslims observe voluntary fasting on the Day of Ashura, often together with the 9th or 11th day of Muharram, following Islamic tradition.
According to Islamic traditions, Ashura is also associated with several significant historical events. Among them is the deliverance of Prophet Musa (Moses) and the Israelites from Pharaoh, when the sea parted for them and closed upon Pharaoh and his army. Some traditions also associate the day with other important events in the lives of earlier prophets.
The sacrifice of Imam Husain continues to inspire people across faiths and cultures. His refusal to submit to unjust authority has been widely admired as an enduring example of steadfastness in the pursuit of truth and justice. Mahatma Gandhi has expressed admiration for Imam Husain’s sacrifice and its lessons in the struggle against oppression.
[The writer is a retired Professor, and resides in Vijaypur, Karnataka.]
