Muharram is that dignified month which became the kernel and fountainhead of defensive front for the protection of Islam & Shariah by matchless and unparalleled sacrifices rendered by the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (S), his companions and lofty family.
Mourners across the globe of Imam Hussain bin Ali Ibn-e-Abi Talib (S), with the emergence of crescent of Muharram, wore black mourning dresses, spread mourning carpets in Imambargahs, Imambaras, Ashour-Khanas, Aza-Khanas, Hussainiyaat and Islamic centers and decorated relics paying rich homage to the great incomparable sacrifices presented by Hazrat Imam Hussain (S) and his 72 companions in the scorching desert of Karbala some 1,400 years ago for defense of Islam and safety of high human values.
Touching voices of lamentations “Ya Hussain (S) and Wa Hussaina (S)” are being heard from every nook and corner and tears are being gushed out of every eye with intense grief over the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (S) along with his near and dear ones at the hands of Yazid (L) in 61 AH.
Muharram crescent was sighted on December 17 in some countries while in some others on December 18.
According to authentic traditions the Chief of Martyrs Imam Hussain (S) had sighted the crescent of Muharram 61 AH when he reached “Manzil-e-Ashraf” passing through different places after he departed the holy city of Makkah for Iraq.
Whenever Hazrat Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq (S) sighted the Muharram crescent, his grief increased. People used to come to him for condolence, consolation and matam.
A saying of Imam Reza (AS) goes: “In the month of Muharram nobody had ever seen my father (S) happy and merry. During this month he remained in continuous grief and pain and on the 10th of this month he was used to say, ‘Today Imam Hussain (S) was martyred brutally.”
The word of drink (sharbat) is found in the original words of Imam Hussain (AS) “Shiati in sharibtum maa azbun...” (O friends! when you drink sweet water remind my thirst…).
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