Muharram 2021: ... that's why Shia Muslims mourn in Muharram, know the full story of martyrdom in Karbala

On the 10th of the month of Muharram, Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was martyred in Karbala. Every year in this month, Shia Muslims mourn in the grief of his death.

New Delhi: For Shia Muslims, the month of Muharram is a month of mourning. Also, this month is the first month of the Islamic calendar. In the same month, there was a war in Karbala, in which Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, and 72 of his companions were killed. Since then this month is celebrated as the month of mourning.

This war took place about 1400 years ago. This war was due to the desire of a Muslim ruler to be considered as Khalifa and the merciless atrocities committed by him on Imam Hussain. Hussain was martyred on the 10th of the month of Muharram which is falling on 20th August this year. Muharram is celebrated on this day. 

Yazid wanted to rule the Muslims 

It is believed that Islam started from Medina. At some distance from here, a ruler named Muawiya ruled. After which his son Yazid sat on the throne. Yazid was a tyrant and wanted to run Islam according to his own accord. Whereas the people did not want this. On this, Yazid thought that if Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, accepts him as his caliph, then the rest of the supporters of Islam will also accept him, but Hussain refused to do so. They decided that they would leave Medina and go. 

Reached Karbala after leaving Medina 

Hussain reached Karbala on the 2nd of the month of Muharram. A total of 72 people were with him including women, small children. Then Yazid surrounded the convoy of Imam Hussain and forced him to consider himself as the Caliph. Even then Hussain remained firm on his point. The food items ran out near Hussain's convoy, surrounded by Yazid's soldiers. Yazid also stopped their water. The convoy remained hungry and thirsty for 3 days, even then Hussain fought the war and neither considered Yazid as the Caliph. On the 10th of Muharram, Yazid's army attacked Hussain and his convoy. Obviously, the Lav-Lashkar Yazid killed Hussain and his entire convoy in one stroke. 

In this battle, Hussain's 6-month-old son Ali Asghar, 18-year-old Ali Akbar and his 7-year-old nephew Qasim (Hasan's son) were also martyred. That is why the 10th of Muharram is the most important. Remembering his sacrifice, mourning is celebrated in the month of Muharram. During this, Shia Muslims neither celebrate any happiness nor wear glittery clothes. On the other hand, Sunni Muslims fast in this month, take out Tazia.