Muharram is the month when the Islamic (Hijri) New Year starts because it’s the first month of the calendar. This month is also quite significant for every Muslim worldwide due to the historic events that happened at the same time over many years. In fact, the month is so important that the Quran highlights that it’s one of the four sacred months of Islam. This means that it’s a month of peace amongst communities where war is forbidden and more time should be spent in worship and spiritual growth.
The start of the new year is a time filled with reconnecting to faith, honouring the history of Islam and fulfilling acts of worship, like prayer and giving to those in need, to help believers feel renewed and strengthen their faith ready for the year ahead. The 10th of Muharram is the most crucial time of the month for Muslims all over the world because it’s the day so many events occurred, making it the most spiritual part. Learn more about this vital day in our guide and what the importance of the first 10 days of Muharram is to make sure that you don’t miss the opportunity to strengthen your faith.
The 10th of Muharram, known as the Day of Ashura, is a highly spiritual time of the year for Muslims. It’s the day so many historical events occurred on, making it a day of remembrance for these events, as well as a day for prioritising spiritual reflections. This day reminds believers of their faith and the resilience of the Muslim community, connecting them closer to Allah (SWT) and starting the new year off in the right way, with a focus on their faith. On top of this, the 10th day encourages Muslims to give to those less fortunate to share the blessings that they’ve been given in life with those who struggle to survive every single day.
So, when is the 10th of Muharram in 2026? This day is expected to begin on the evening of the 24th of June, with the 25th being the full day to reflect and grow spiritually.
The importance of the first 10 days of Muharram lies in the vast history connected to the day across numerous years. These have shaped the way in which the day is honoured and remembered for Muslims around the world. Even though all these events occurred at different periods of time around the 10th of the month, they are all still important and are never forgotten by every Muslim. This is why the day is spent in remembrance of these events, as well as reflection on the strength of the Muslim community and achieving spiritual growth. It’s basically a chance for believers around the world to get inspired by what occurred in Islamic history and also follow in the footsteps of those who came before them.
One of the most important historic events that fell around the 10th of Muharram was the Battle of Karbala. This was a gruesome war that occurred during 61 AH between a small army and the army of the leader of the first dynasty. The small army was made up of the family and friends of Imam Hussain (AS), who was the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
They had a hard battle against a much bigger army that the Umayyad Caliphate (leader of the first dynasty) at the time, Yazid ibn Muawiyah, sent.
This battle commenced because the Umayyad Caliphate (leader of the first dynasty) at the time, Yazid ibn Muawiyah, sent his army due to Imam (AS) not wanting to follow his lead. Yazid took it upon himself to be the Muslim leader after his father died, but he wrongfully led people down a dark path. Unfortunately, during the battle, Imam Hussain (AS) was brutally killed by his enemies. Along with Imam (AS), 72 other companions were sacrificed in the noble battle, making the 10th day very important, as many sacrificed their lives to protect Islam from oppression. Most of the people who died were the male members of the Prophet’s (PBUH) family, which has made this day a day of remembrance for many Muslims and a day of grieving for Shi’a Muslims.
At the time of the Prophet Musa (AS), the 10th of Muharram was a highly important day because this is when Allah (SWT) saved him and Israel from the radical Pharaoh. This is also remembered as a vital spiritual event that is remembered by Muslims.
Pharaoh was in power, and he was corrupt and violent, declaring himself as God while spreading lies and nonsense to the people of Israel. The Prophet Musa (AS) disagreed with Pharaoh and stood up to him by objecting to following his ruling. Musa (AS) tried to encourage Pharaoh to worship Allah (SWT) and to understand that He is the one and only God. However, the Pharaoh hated the objection and just wouldn’t accept that there was any mightier power than himself.
During the Day of Ashura, Prophet Musa (AS) and his followers were no longer safe in Israel and were being chased by the army. The chase was dangerous for them, and they were in deep trouble and at risk of losing their lives. But they never stopped trusting in Allah (SWT). Musa (AS) held on to the belief and hope of his faith that soon, before they lost the chase, Allah (SWT) would save them. This is why he made the very well-known 10th of Muharram dua that asked for protection:
“Truly my Lord is with me, He will guide me through.”
[Quran 26:62]
His faith in Allah (SWT) and his patience soon paid off as he was rewarded by Him during the chase. Allah (SWT) parted the Red Sea to allow Prophet Musa (AS) and his followers to pass through and reach safety. As well as saving Musa (AS) and his followers, Allah (SWT) punished Pharaoh’s army by submerging them in the sea.
The importance of the first 10 days of Muharram also lies in the stories of other significant Prophets that happened around the 10th day in different years. In fact, essential historic events during this time go all the way back to the early times of the Prophet Adam (AS). In some narrations, it’s believed that Adam (AS) repented to Allah (SWT) after eating the forbidden fruit around this day. Because of his sincere guilt and repentance, it was the day that Allah (SWT) forgave him for his sin.
Alongside this, it’s also thought that around the 10th day of the month, the Prophet Yunus (AS) was released from the belly of the whale and Allah (SWT) forgave his people for what had happened. The 10th of Muharram is also a significant time during the years of the Prophet Nuh (AS), as some narrations state that Allah (SWT) returned his ark to dry land on the 10th of Muharram. The flooding stopped, and Allah (SWT) guided Nuh (AS) and his people back to safety, which turned this day a time of celebration for the Prophet and his followers.
There are certain virtues of the 10th of Muharram from the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that Muslims follow during the first 10 days to remember the events and strengthen their faith. The virtues of the 10th of Muharram are:
The first 10 days are seen as a time to fast for many Muslims, which is outlined in the following 10th of Muharram hadith:
“The best fast after Ramadan is the fast of Muharram”
[Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1163].
It’s a time to fast because the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to fast on this day, meaning that it’s a sunnah to follow. As well as this, it’s believed to be a tradition of the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) due to the rules of the time. This is because fasting on this day used to be an obligatory act before the obligation was changed to the fasts of Ramadan.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) always encouraged his followers to fast on this day with him and his utter faith and devotion to Islam still encourage Muslims to follow in his footsteps.
Muharram as a whole is a sacred month and has been determined as one of the four sacred months, which is highlighted in the following hadith:
“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred.”
[Surah At-Tawbah, Verse 36]
The four sacred months are Dhul Qadah, Dhul Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. In these months, it’s forbidden to fight, meaning wars must stop and there must be peace among the community. Muslims should focus on their connection to their faith and Allah (SWT).
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) prioritised this day as a day to devote himself to his faith and remember the events that occurred before him. In the following 10th of Muharram hadith, Ibn Abbas said:
“I never saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) so keen to fast any day and give it priority over any other than this day, the day of ‘Ashura’, and this month, meaning Ramadan.”
[Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Immense blessings can be reaped from this month through being generous to family and those in need. Giving is a crucial act of worship and is a way to earn rewards during the first 10 days and the whole month of Muharram. By sharing your blessings with family and the poor and hungry, Allah (SWT) will be generous back to you for the entire year. It’s essential to share your blessings with the global ummah who are struggling to survive because you can save their lives. By donating to House of Giving during this month, you can help vulnerable communities who face unimaginable hunger, conflict and devastation every day to turn their lives around and gain dignity once more. Your generosity provides them with the necessities they need to finally live comfortably and get themselves away from poverty, hunger and hardship.
If you fast during this day, you can also cleanse your minor sins, gaining forgiveness from Allah (SWT) and starting afresh for the rest of the year. To truly start the year with a clean slate Tawbah (repentance) is also needed for major sins. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Fasting the day of ‘Arafah I hope Allah will expiate thereby for the year before it and the year after it and fasting the day of ‘Ashura I hope Allah will expiate thereby for the year that came before it.”
[Sahih Muslim]
There is a specific 10th of Muharram dua that’s recited by Muslims on the day to connect them closer to Allah (SWT) and use the day to strengthen their faith. This is known as the dua Ashura and is a well-known supplication to do on the Day of Ashura. Doing this can help to protect Muslims from calamities for the year ahead, gain forgiveness for their sins of the past year and also honour the great sacrifice of Imam Hussain (AS).
The 10th of Muharram dua that is recited on the day goes:
“O Allah, O Remover of every hardship, O Reliever of every grief, O Hearer of every whisper, O Remover of every calamity, O Merciful in this world and the Hereafter, send blessings upon Muhammad and his family, and do with me what You are worthy of (mercy), and not what I deserve, O Most Generous.”
The whole month of Muharram is a great time to give to those facing poverty, hunger and hardship. However, on the 10th, it’s an even greater time to complete acts of worship because it’s a day that can earn rewards through focusing on strengthening faith and remembering the historical events of Islam. As it’s within the Islamic New Year, the day is also the best time to make resolutions and start good, positive habits, like giving Sadaqah more regularly.
Here at House of Giving, we use your generosity to share blessings with those who are struggling to survive around the world, particularly in conflict zones. Our team will be on the ground in Egypt to give life-saving support to the ummah facing violence and devastation in Gaza. You can help these vulnerable communities survive through essential aid, such as food, clean water, urgent medical treatment, orphan support and life-changing assistance.
Let’s come together inspired by the courage and resilience of those before us and bring relief, dignity and hope for a better future to those in desperate need. Donate in Muharram and help these struggling communities get their lives back on track away from poverty, hunger and hardship.
