Guide to Muharram

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic Hijri calendar and marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year. It is one of the four sacred months in which warfare is forbidden.

This month is especially known for the Hijrah, the migration of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Madinatul Munawwara.

Key events in Muharram include the following:

• The Prophet ﷺ left Makkah while under threat from those who planned to harm him.
• On the night of the Hijrah, Imam ‘Ali (AS) slept in the Prophet’s ﷺ bed, placing himself in danger so that the Prophet ﷺ could leave safely.
• During the journey, the Prophet ﷺ took shelter in the Cave of Thawr with his close companion, Abu Bakr as-Siddiqر. This is described in the Holy Qur’an, Surah at-Tawbah, verse 40:

“When they were in the cave and he said to his companion, ‘Do not be sad, Allah ﷻ is with us.’ Then Allah ﷻ sent His peace upon him and supported him with unseen angels…”

• The Prophet ﷺ reached Madinatul Munawwara on the 10th of Muharram, known as the Day of ‘Ashura.
• On the 2nd of Muharram, many years later, Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of the Prophet ﷺ, arrived in Karbala. He and his family were later martyred in one of the most tragic and honoured events in Islamic history.
• Muharram is also important in the Naqshbandi Way. Shah Bahauddin Naqshbandق, the spiritual pillar of our Tariqah, was born on the 14th of Muharram.

Mawlana Sheikh Muhammad Adil ar-Rabbaniق said:

“He did a beautiful service and showed us the beautiful way, the way of Allah ﷻ and His Beloved Prophet ﷺ. It had other names before him. After him, it became known as the Way of Bahauddin Naqshbandق.”

Muharram 1447H begins this Friday, 27th June 2025

Thursday, 26th June 2025

This is the last day of the Islamic year. Mawlana Sheikh Nazimق advised us to fast on both the last day of the year and the first day of the new year, as mentioned in his Sohbah.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever fasts the last day of Dhul Hijjah and the first day of Muharram, he completes a whole year’s worth of fasting in that previous year, and Allah ﷻ gives him penance for fifty [50] years.”

(Narrated from Ibn al-Abbasر)

After Asar, recite the End of Year Du’a three times.

At sunset, it is Sunnah to sight the new moon and recite the New Moon Sighting Du’a.

After Maghrib, recite the Beginning of Year Du’a three times.

Friday, 27th June 2025

The new Muslim Year begins (1st Muharram 1447H). It is Sunnah to fast on this day.

This year, the first day of Muharram also falls on a Friday. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever fasts the 1st Friday of Muharram, Allah ﷻ will forgive his preceding sins, and whoever fasts three days of Muharram – Thursday, Friday and Saturday – Allah ﷻ will write for him worship and prayers for nine hundred years.”

(Narrated from Sayyidina Anasر)

As such, we are encouraged to fast on Thursday (last day of 1446H), Friday (first day of 1447H) and Saturday if possible.

Saturday, 5th July 2025

9th of Muharram, Eve of Ashura.

After Asar, about an hour before Maghrib, do recite the holy names of the Martyrs of Karbala. Connecting to them for their Madad and Himmah.

We are encouraged to stay up for night vigil.

Sunday, 6th July 2025

10th of Muharram, Day of Ashura.

It is Sunnah to fast during the first 10 days of Muharram, especially on this day.

Full devotions of this day will be in a separate post.

Wednesday, 9th July 2025

13th of Muharram.

After Maghrib, will be the night of Imamul Tariqah, Mawlana Shah Bahauddin Naqshbandق‘s birthday.

Shah Naqshbandق made this du’a,
“O my Lord ﷻ, do not let any one who takes me as a guide and those who came after me or before me, exist without support from You ﷻ.”

All the angels of the skies said, “Ameen”.

Grandshaykhق said the barakah of that du’a appears four times a year, and its protection is sent to the followers of Shah Naqshbandق four times a year.

✅ 14th of Muharram, on Shah Bahauddin Naqshband’sق birthday
✅ on the 1st day of Ramadhan
✅ the 15th of Ramadhan
✅ and Laylatul Qadr

So the barakah of this du’a descends on this night, and we should ask to be given a share of it.

It is encouraged for us to congregate for Khatamul Khwajagan and Zikir, recite Mawlid un Nabi (Praises upon the Prophet ﷺ) in dedication to him, and read excerpts of his blessed life.

Thursday, 10th July 2025

14th of Muharram, Imamul Tariqah, Mawlana Shah Bahauddin Naqshbandق‘s birthday.

Grandshaykh Abdullah ad-Dagestaniق used to offer Qurban (animal sacrifice) on this day, as a sign of gratefulness for being guided by a Murshid and connected as followers of Shah Naqshbandق in the Naqshbandi Aliyyah Way.

He would distribute the meat to the poor and needy.

To learn more about the month of Muharram and the day of Ashura, please click here.

Google Drive to the full devotions can be found here.

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Wassalam.