Muharram

American  

[moo-har-uhm, moo-hahr-uhm] / muˈhær əm, muˈhɑr əm /

noun

1. the first month of the Islamic calendar.

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Muharram British  

/ muːˈhærəm /

noun

1. the first month of the Islamic year

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Usage

What is Muharram? Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It’s also spelled Moharram.It is one of the months of the Islamic calendar that Muslims consider sacred.The first day of Muharram is the first day of the Islamic New Year.The tenth day of Muharram is Ashura, which is an important day for both Sunni and Shiʿite Muslims.

Etymology

Origin of Muharram

First recorded in 1605–15; from Arabic muḥarram “forbidden,” from ḥarama “to prohibit, deny”; harem ( def. )

Example Sentences

The arrest of Muharram, who has not yet commented, was made possible thanks to a series of intelligence-led operations, the agency said.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

The mourning over their deaths reaches to its peak on Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram.

From Washington Times • Jul. 27, 2023

Last year when the Muharram procession overlapped with a Hindu festival, Muslim leaders changed the timing of their march to avoid confrontation.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 18, 2023

As Shiites, they were observing Muharram, to mark the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

From New York Times • Aug. 15, 2022

In Muharram he prepared an expedition against them, important as being the first of any size that he had undertaken from the offensive.

From Mahomet Founder of Islam by Draycott, Gladys M.