Rituals of Muharram

The Shias observe the entire month as a period of mass mourning. There is no celebration or expression of joy of any kind. Women are expected to forsake all adornments. Public enactments of grief, depicting scenes from the Battle of Karbala, are carried out in Shia mosques on the first ten days.

The Shias in India observe certain ceremonies in common, though the details differ considerably. As soon as the new moon appears, people clad in black assemble and recite plaintive verses over sweetened cold drink, in memory of Imam Hussain.

On the tenth day, decorated taziyas and tombs adorned in precious stones are led through the city streets. People also torture themselves by whip lashing their bodies with chains and walking on burning coal. The cool drink is meant to remind people of the terrible thirst Hussain and his family had to suffer. Food and drink are later distributed to the public, especially to the poor.

The popular belief is that if the a few rituals are properly followed on the day of Ashurah, then it leads to great rewards. The rituals are – to give alms to the poor, to cut the nails, to recite Surah Ikhlas about 1000 times, to observe fast on this particular day, to be in the company of religious Ulema and many more.

In Islamic history the day is considered to be an auspicious day, as it is believed that Allah created heaven and earth and that on this day he gives his infinite blessings to all. But, inspite of these auspicious days, the Muharram is considered as a month of moaning, as Hussain and his family was murdered.