Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar and one of four sacred months in the religion of Islam. Muslims across the globe revere it as the beginning of the new year, holding deep religious and historical significance.

But while the start of a new year is generally celebrated with joyful events, the beginning of the Islamic calendar marks a historic calamity whose echoes still reverberate today. Muharram is observed not with festivities, but with solemn remembrance—especially by those who reflect on the tragedy of Karbala.

What Happened in Muharram?

The Battle of Karbala marks a pivotal moment in Islamic history. — one that even Western intellectuals have written extensively about.

This event took place on the 10th of Muharram in 680 AD, when Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, refused to pledge allegiance to the Umayyad caliph Yazid, whose rule was unjust and corrupt.

Accompanied by a small group of family members and companions, Hussain was surrounded by Yazid’s army of thousands in the desert of Karbala, in present-day Iraq.

The 10th of Muharram is also known as Ashura, a day of great significance for all Muslims. According to historical texts, several notable events occurred on this day, such as the salvation of Prophet Moses and his followers from Pharaoh, and the landing of Prophet Noah’s ark after the flood.

However, Ashura is most widely recognized as the day Hussain ibn Ali and his companions were martyred in Karbala as they stood firm against all odds to preserve Islam at a time when it was being corrupted by tyrannical leadership.

Hussain ibn Ali: The Man Who Shook History

Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was born in 620 AD. Shortly after the Prophet’s death, the Islamic empire began to fall back into corrupt practices.

Historically, this is seen as a time when the moral fabric of society was deteriorating under the rule of Yazid, who was infamous for his ruthlessness, deceit, and moral corruption.

Hussain was highly esteemed in society, known for his righteousness and adherence to the true Prophetic message. His allegiance to Yazid would have given legitimacy to a ruler whose leadership was anything but Islamic.

Being a man of principle who sought to preserve Islam and protect it from corruption, Hussain refused to support Yazid and made it his responsibility to speak out against him.

Yazid knew that Hussain was an influential figure as the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, and people looked up to him as an example of Prophetic wisdom and guidance. Thus, he feared that Hussain’s position against him could ignite a broader movement for justice.

Historical reports indicate that Yazid issued Hussain an ultimatum: obey or face execution. There was no middle ground.

Hussain, known for his opposition to violence in all forms, did not wish harm upon anyone. Yet he knew that remaining silent would leave his grandfather’s legacy in the hands of a man who wielded violence without restraint. Thus, he made the ultimate decision to refuse allegiance to Yazid and take the ultimate stand for truth and justice.

In what ensued in the Battle of Karbala, Yazid’s army of 30,000 men faced Hussain’s army of just 72 companions, after many left his side out of fear for the consequences they would face for supporting the Prophet’s grandson.

Despite being overwhelmingly outnumbered, Hussain and his companions fought until the end, and each of them were martyred one after another. Finally, Yazid ordered his men to kill Hussain himself, and his remaining family members consisting of women and children were taken as captives.

The Significance of Muharram

The significance of Muharram lies not only in its place within the Islamic calendar but in the timeless values it represents—truth, justice, and moral courage. At its heart is the legacy of Hussain ibn Ali, whose stand at Karbala transcends religious and cultural boundaries.

His refusal to bow to tyranny and his willingness to sacrifice everything for the preservation of righteousness speaks to something deeply embedded in the human conscience: that oppression must be confronted, even at the highest cost.

Muharram reminds humanity that there are moments in history when silence is betrayal and action becomes a moral obligation. Hussain’s universal message of resistance against injustice continues to resonate across generations and geographies because it affirms a fundamental truth—that some values are worth the ultimate sacrifice.

In one famous statement, Hussain ibn Ali said, “Death with dignity is better than a life of humiliation.”

Hussain’s legacy teaches that dignity, integrity, and standing for what is right must never be compromised, especially in the face of corruption and cruelty. For millions around the world, Muharram is not simply a month of mourning—it is a powerful time of reflection, inspiration, and renewed commitment to the principles Hussain stood for.

Remembering a Legacy 1400 Years On

The Qur’an urges Muslims to learn lessons from the people of past generations, and it also teaches that patterns in history often repeat, especially concerning the struggles of good vs. evil, and the power of truth over falsehood.

Hussain ibn Ali’s ultimate stand against injustice remains a timeless example. The sacrifice of 72 martyrs led by Hussain was free from any desire for power, fame, or wealth. It is for this reason that his movement against social injustice continues to inspire millions to this day.

Highly revered as a symbol of resistance, Hussain’s legacy has influenced modern leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela in their revolutionary struggles against the tyrants of their time.

One of the most famously stated quotes from Gandhi says, “I learned from Hussain how to achieve victory while being oppressed.”

The continued commemoration of Muharram—even 1400 years later—aims to guide the moral compass of Muslims and non-Muslims alike, by honoring and renewing Hussain’s fight for justice and the values he upheld.