Page:Thomas Patrick Hughes - Notes on Muhammadanism - 2ed. (1877).djvu/184

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XXXIII.—MUHARRAM AND ʾA′SHURA′A.

The Muharram (lit. "that which is sacred") commences on the first of the month[1] of that name, and is continued for ten days, the tenth day being called ʾA′shuráa. They are days of mátam, or lamentation, in commemoration of the martyrdom of ʾAli, and of Hasan,


  1. The twelve months of the Muhammad lunar year are as follows:—
    1. Muharram. The sacred month.
    2. Safar. The month which is void.
    3. Rabíʾ-ul-awwal. The first of spring.
    4. Rabiʾ-ul-ákhir. The last of spring.
    5. Jamád-al-úlá. The first dry month.
    6. Jamád-al-ukhrá. The last of spring.
    7. Rajab. The revered month.
    8. Shʾabán. The month of division.
    9. Ramazán. The hot month.
    10. Shawwál. The month for going forth (hunting).
    11. Zul-Qʾada. The month of rest.
    12. Zul-Hijja. The month of pilgrimage.