2026 Calendar

Muharram 2026

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and one of the four sacred months. It is particularly significant for Shia Muslims due to the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at Karbala on Ashura (10th of Muharram).

Last updated: February 22, 2026

Summary

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. In 2026, it contains 8 significant Shia Islamic events. Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and one of the four sacred months. It is particularly significant for Shia Muslims due to the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at Karbala on Ashura (10th of Muharram).

  • •8 significant events in Muharram
  • •4 commemorations
  • •First month of the Islamic calendar
  • •All dates in Hijri and Gregorian formats

All Events in Muharram 2026

1Muh
Event

Beginning of the Hijri Year

The beginning of the Hijri year marks the start of a new Islamic calendar year.

≈ Jun 27, 2025

2Muh
Event

Arrival of Imam al-Hussain (as) to Karbala

Imam Husayn arrives in Karbala on 2nd Muharram 61 A.H., where Umar bin Sad encamps opposite with 4000 soldiers. The Imam, invited by Iraqis, offers to return but Ibn Ziyad demands allegiance to Yazid and blocks water access. Negotiations fail; Ibn Ziyad orders unconditional surrender or attack. A security letter for Ummul Banin's sons is refused. Abbas secures a night's delay for prayers. The Imam addresses companions, urging them to leave for safety as martyrdom looms.

≈ Jun 28, 2025

10Muh
Commemoration

Martyrdom of Imam al-Hussain (as)

Just over 50 years after Muhammad's death, Hussain, his grandson, opposed the corrupt Umayyad tyrant Yazid. Refusing to support evil, Hussain migrated from Medina to Mecca and toward Kufa but was blocked at Karbala by 30,000 troops. With 72 companions, deprived of water and outnumbered, they were killed for upholding principles. His sister Zainab condemned Yazid in his palace. Hussain's sacrifice inspired the Umayyad overthrow and millions worldwide who mourn him.

≈ Jul 6, 2025

12Muh
Event

Ahlul Bayt (as) to Kufa

The history of Imam Husayn's movement began in Rajab 60 A.H. with departure from Medina to Mecca, proceeding to Iraq in Zil-Hajj, and martyrdom in Muharram 61 A.H. Ahlul Bayt were taken as prisoners to Kufa, then to Damascus per Yazid's orders, staying an unknown period before returning to Medina within a year, possibly via Karbala en route to Syria but without reliable evidence. Myths of returning to Karbala on 20th Safar or Arba'in, or meetings with Jabir and Atiyya, are debunked as unhistorical, including Sayyid bin Tawus's account. Historical research is urged over blind acceptance, with infallibility only for the Prophet, Fatima, and Imams.

≈ Jul 8, 2025

13Muh
Commemoration

Burial of the Martyrs of Karbala

After the Battle of Karbala, Imam Zainul Aabidin succeeded as the fourth Imam while unconscious with fever; Lady Zainab consulted him, affirming his authority, and he ordered the family to leave burning tents to survive and spread the truth of the atrocities. She searched for and found missing children dead, including Sukaina near a headless body, hearing Husayn's voice. Martyrs' bodies were left, trampled barbarically by horses under Umar bin Sa’d's orders, with items pillaged. Per Shiite belief, Zainul Aabidin miraculously buried the bodies with Banu Asad's help, later rejoining heads.

≈ Jul 9, 2025

19Muh
Event

Departure of Ahlul al-Bayt (as) from Kufa to Sham

After stirring remorse in Kufa, the captives, including Bibi Zainab and Imam Zain ul 'Abideen, secretly departed at night for a grueling 20-day journey to Damascus through deserts, enduring heat, floggings, and child deaths. In Yazid's court, Bibi Zainab and the Imam boldly confronted his arrogance, reciting Quran and affirming Husayn's victory. Imprisoned in a dungeon, young Bibi Sakina died of grief; Yazid released them after her death, allowing mourning majlises in Damascus that spread sympathy for Ahlul Bait.

≈ Jul 15, 2025

23Muh
Commemoration

Bombing of the al-Askari shrine

The Al-Askari Shrine, a Twelver Shi'ite mosque and mausoleum in Samarra, Iraq, built in 944 CE, is a key Shia site housing the tombs of Imams Ali al-Hadi (as) and Hasan al-Askari (as), plus Hakima Khatun and Narjis Khatun. Its dome was bombed in 2006 by Sunni extremists, minarets in June 2007, and clock tower in July 2007, sparking Shia anger and the Iraqi Civil War. Repaired, it reopened in April 2009 and lies within the Samarra UNESCO World Heritage Site listed in 2007. Adjacent is the Serdab marking the Twelfth Imam's Minor Occultation.

≈ Jul 19, 2025

25Muh
Commemoration

Martyrdom of Imam Zayn al-Abidin (as)

Imam Zayn al-Abidin weakened from worship and Karbala memories, gaining popularity that alarmed Umayyad ruler al-Walid b. 'Abd al-Malik, who poisoned him. Suffering severe pain, he praised Allah for martyrdom and designated his son Mohammed al-Baqir as successor, entrusting him with Imamate, commandments, and inheritances. Al-Baqir prepared and buried him in al-Baqi Cemetery beside Imam al-Hasan amid massive mourning in Medina.

≈ Jul 21, 2025

Key Takeaways

  • 1Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar
  • 2There are 8 significant Shia Islamic events in Muharram 2026
  • 34 commemorations including solemn remembrances
  • 4All dates are provided in both Hijri and Gregorian formats for easy reference
  • 5Events can be added to your personal calendar (Google, Apple, Outlook)

Frequently Asked Questions

Muharram is the most sacred month in the Shia calendar. While it is one of the four sacred months in Islam, for Shia Muslims it holds profound significance as the month of Imam Hussain's (AS) martyrdom at Karbala. The entire month, especially the first ten days, is dedicated to mourning (azadari) and remembering the sacrifice of the third Imam and his 72 companions.

Browse All Months in 2026

Muharram in Other Years