The Story behind Muharram and why we must know it

The Story behind Muharram and why we must know it

Image credit: Islami city

Most people know little about Moharram except what they see on the streets - a procession, a tazia with mourners in black beating their chests. Some may have seen men, even little boys hitting themselves with chains, blades, swords. Few people have a chance to experience the storytelling that lies at the heart of the mourning.

The story has been told, year upon year, since 680 AD. It is a story that was told mainly by women who survived the massacre of one branch of the family of Prophet Muhammad.

Muhammad succeeded to a great extent in uniting several warring clans and tribes in Arabia in his own lifetime. It was clear that the new faith was gaining ground but soon after Muhammad died, there were disagreements over succession - who would get to lead these newly united people? There were already conflicts about where Caliphs could be buried since that could become an argument for rebels, a rallying point of sorts.

Image credit: Shafqna

The third Caliph, Uthman, was killed. The fifth, Hasan who was Muhammad's grandson, abdicated, letting Muawiyah take charge for the duration of the latter's life. But later Hasan was poisoned. Muawiyah named his own son, Yazid, as successor. This was not acceptable to some leaders, certainly not to Hussain, who was Hasan's younger brother.

He refused to accept and endorse Yazid as Caliph, and chose to leave Medina with his family and supporters. They headed towards Karbala (now in Iraq) but found no safe refuge. Yazid's forces surrounded them, neither letting them proceed towards Damascus nor letting them return to Medina. The soldiers also cut off access to the river. Finally, there was a battle. There were only 72 men on Hussain's side and all died, barring one.