muharram is the first month of the islamic calendar during...

muharram is the first month of the islamic calendar during which shi'ite muslims commemorate the martyrdom of imam husayn (a.), the grandson of prophet muhammad(p.) from his daughter fatima al zahra (a.) imam husayn (a.) imam husayn (a.) was born on 3rd of sha'ban in the 4th year of the islamic calendar, 625 c.e. in the holy city of madina, arabia. his grandfather named him husayn, a diminutive word indicating his physical attraction and suggesting his beautiful character.

the holy qur'an refers to him and some other members of prophet's family, saying: " indeed god desires to purify you; oh! the people of the house" the qur'an 33:33 thus, on many occasions, the prophet (p.) indicated that his grandson al husayn is the most qualified imam. once he said of him and his brother al hasan " these two are my sons; they are two imams".

Imam and Caliphate on the other hand, contrary to the teachings of the prophet (p.), for the first time in the islamic history, mu'awiyah, the governor of damascus claimed the caliphate and changed it to a monarchy and hereditary kingship, opposing the previous system of ruling which was in practice. he thereby appointed his son yazid as his successor, who was not fit for this position according to principle of shura.

at this point, most muslims scholars of the time refused to accept the legitimacy of the shift to monarchy. among them were abdul rahman, son of the first caliph, and abdullah, son of zubayr, but no one stood against yazid as imam husayn (a.) did. imam husayn(a.) declared the false foundation of such a change. consequently, after the death of mu'awiyah in 60/679 c.e., most of the muslims looked toward imam husayn (a.) as their true religious leader.

thus, creating resentment on the part of yazid, who demanded relinquishment of imam husayn's (a.) leadership. Imam Husayn's mission further, imam husayn (a.) declared that, " we are family of the prophet (p.), and have the true message of god. yazid is a corrupt person, and i cannot support him ". meanwhile, most of residents of the city of kufa, iraq, sent over 10,000 letters of support to imam inviting him to their city which was one of the largest city of that time.

therefore, imam sent hid cousin muslim, son of aqeel to review the circumstances concerning the invitation. at first, the people overwhelmingly welcomed him, but the propaganda of omayyads was able to crush the mission. furthermore, imam husayn (a.) said, " i was not born an evil nor a cruel man.