Observation of Muharram-ul-Haram in Pakistan

According to the Islamic Lunar Calendar, Muharram-ul-haram is the first month of the year hence, the start of the New Islamic Year. One of the holiest months in Islam is Muharram. And it is highly revered by Muslims and it is viewed as a period for reflection and compensation among many.

In Muharram-ul-haram, Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) lost his life and Muslims honor the suffering of Imam Hussain (AS), the child of Hazrat Ali (AS) and the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), in the skirmish of Karbala. Muslims all over the planet observe the initial 10 days of Muharram as a holy time of recognition for this. The 10th day of Muharram, also known as Ashura, is observed as a day of sadness and grief.

Islamic Calendar

There are 12 months in the Islamic Calendar, Muharram-ul-haram being the first month is followed by other Islamic Months as Safar, Rabi-ul-Awwal, Rabi-us-Sani, Jamadi-ul-Awwal, Jamadi-us-Sani, Rajab, Shaa’baan, Ramadan, Shawaal, Zil’Qadah, and Zil’Ḥij-jah. The Islamic New Year provides the supporters an opportunity to anticipate the future and ponder over the great and terrible things they have done in their own lives. Muharram is one of four sacred holy months of Islam observed by Muslims. The sanctity of four months is even present in the verses of Holy Quran.

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Significance of Muharram

The word ‘Muharram’ in a literal sense signifies ‘prohibited’. It is sanctified to the point that specific actions are not allowed and termed as illegal during this month, as they would infringe its essence of holiness.

Observation in Pakistan

In Pakistan, during the first ten days of Ashura, the locals partake in long grieving walks. Muslims observe the month with large-scale public gatherings, massive Majalisay, and the distribution of Niyaz and water to suggest a connection with Imam Hussain’s afflictions, whose ailment symbolizes a more significant struggle against oppression and injustice. While Imam Hussain (AS) was beheaded and martyred in the Holy Battle of Karbala, his message of graciousness, equity, and uniformity is accepted to live on among individuals till day.

In Pakistan, 9^th and 10^th Muharram are observed as religious holidays for Muslims to remember the martyrdom and grieve the loss through different rituals.

Security Measures in Muharram-ul-Haram 

Every year, proper security plans are made by authorities in Pakistan, to preserve security and hundreds and thousands of policemen, rangers, and even army officers are allocated in different cities of Pakistan. This year armed forces all through the nation are ordered to stay extra watchful to guarantee strict observances, particularly during the initial days of the month to pass off calmly. Stringent guidelines have been given for continuous memorial service parades to Imam Bargahs and also conveying of Bomb Disposal Unit and sniffer canines, that are responsible for checking inside of Imam Bargahs and on the course of the parades.

All imam Bargahs that may be delicate and vulnerable spots, are notified to be monitored through CCTV and processions, using metal detectors to guarantee peace and harmony and avert any inappropriate occurrence. It is guaranteed that grieving walks go through the registered timings of parades to be noticed stringently to local authorities for the coordination to compel watching and use commando vehicles for safety.

The greatest security challenge during these days is obviously guaranteeing and arranging huge number of Majalis and grieving parades, coordinated in a liberated environment to avert dread and savagery.

Covid-19 Safe Muharram-ul-Haram

Muharram-ul-haram is observed in a traditional pattern every year but this year, it will be observed in a different way as we all are aware of Covid-19 and how drastically it has affected every Pakistani in recent years. The National Institute of Health (NIH) has urged people to observe wellness rules and exercise social segregation during the Ashura mourning rituals in order to prevent the rise of corona cases after reports that showed that Covid-19 infections had been over-run.

General precautionary measures are said to be followed by citizens in this month that include ensuring the use of sanitizer and face mask and eluding handshakes or hugging and huge gatherings. It has been instructed for old and sick people specially, to avoid huge gatherings. Try to maintain 6 feet distance from others. Use your own water bottles during walks.

Observe the day as you want, but first take protective measures, to not only protect yourself but your family as well from contagious disease. If no SOP’s are followed then there is a fear that Covid-19 cases will spike again.

Message of Peace

Islam is a religion of harmony, love, and resilience and it loathes all types of sectarianism, fanaticism, and biases. It teaches us love for mankind despite of the cast, color, creed, or race. And we all should respect the grieving month’s spirit. It has been guided to fast, pray, recite Holy Quran, and ask Allah for forgiveness in this month.

The Speaker National Assembly, Raja Pervez Ashraf on Saturday, 30th July, 2022 in a formal message instructed the citizens to manufacture solidarity nationwide, for harmony and serenity in Muharram-ul-Haram. He advised the Ulemas of State and Orthodox Scholars and Researchers to assume and adopt their due part in proper roles and impact to make strict congruity and to spread the original message of Islam.

“Let us make a purpose and goal today to surrender our disparities and get joined to foster far reaching system for battling and eradicating psychological oppression, sectarianism, hostility, and radicalism from the country,” he added.

In an official statement, Zahid Akram Durrani, the deputy speaker of the National Assembly, advised us to adhere to the penitential and stern spirit of Muharram-ul-Haram.

The messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

Hussain is from Me, and I am from Hussain. Allah loves whosoever loves Hussain.

(Jami’Trimidhi, Merits of Al Hassan and Hussain, Hadith No.4144)