Muharum is the first month of the Islamic calendar. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Islamic calendar depends on the moon, not on the sun. This month is one of the four, most sacred months.  This day has quite some significance to it.

There are many who increase the difference between the sects of Sunni and Shia Muslims by saying that Sunni’s celebrate while Shia’s grief on this day. It is true that Prophet Musa won over Pharaoh of Egypt on this date, but still Sunni pass this day with silence as the death of the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) affects them as well.

The battle of Karbala occurred on the 10^th of Muharum, it is also called as the ashura. The battle started after Morning Prayer. Hazrat Imam Husain, son of Hazrat Ali (R.A), organized his companions of 72 men into army flanks. This army had 40 on foot soldiers and 32 equestrians. On the battlefield, prior to the war, Hazrat Imam Husain asked to the people around to join in and protect the family of Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H). Hurr ibn Yazid-Al-Riyahi joined in Husain’s army and Umar ibn Sa’ad replaced his rank as the chief commander.

Umar ibn Sa’ad was the first person, who shot the arrow at Husain’s army. The battle continued until each and every one of the men was martyred. The martyr of Abbas ibn Ali was one of the most important ones. He managed to fill up water in skin and was on the way back to the camps. This was when Umar ibn Sa’ad ordered an army to stop him. First the right arm got cut off, then his left arm. At this point, he was holding the skin by his mouth but one of the arrows pierced the skin and water pour out. He was martyred when he tried to charge back even in such a condition.

The martyr of Husain ibn Ali leads the Muslim community still to grieve on what happened that day. His grace was such that even though he was immobile during the battle, the enemies feared to approach him. The person, who approached, to behead Hazrat Husain, was shocked to hear that Hazrat Husain asked about his prayers.