Join Ustadh Dr. Ali Ataie in person or online as he gives spiritual insights on the sacred month of Muharram and honors the beginning of Islam and reflects on the passage of time since the Prophet’s decisive Hijra – the migration from Mecca to Medina – nearly 1,400 years ago.
In addition to talking about the significance of Muharram and the Day of Ashura, Dr. Ataie will also talk about having love for Ahlul Bayt (the holy family of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)).
Muharram, the first month on the Islamic calendar, is slated to begin on Monday, August 9. The in-person program begins after Asr prayer at 6:15 p.m.
6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. | Saturday, August 14 | Join us in the MCC Conference Room or join virtually from home at mcceastbay.org/live
- More talks & sermons on Muharram: https://mcceastbay.org/muharram
- More Ustadh Ali Ataie: https://mcceastbay.org/ali
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
The month of Muharram is considered special by all Muslims and is one of the four sacred months of the year, which brings with it the day of Ashura, or the “Tenth day” of the month, when fasting is recommended (with or without the addition of a day prior or after).
Following the Prophetic tradition, MCC invites all East Bay residents to fast on the day of Ashura, which starts on the evening of Wednesday, August 18 and during the day of Thursday, August 19.
The first is the Hijrah, the migration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD. This birth of a pluralistic Muslim community marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar, and served as the key turning point for the first Muslims and the future of Islam. The Hijrah also marks the beginning of new chapter for humanity, where freedom of faith and justice for all became the cardinal principles of the newly founded society, and a model for us to aspire to.
The other two historic events took place on the 10th day of Muharram, called Ashura.
After completing the migration to Medina, the Prophet witnessed the Jews of Medina were fasting to celebrate the victory of Prophet Musa (pbuh) and his people over the Egyptian Pharaoh. Prophet Muhammad then asked his companions to join this fasting tradition to express their gratitude to Allah for saving Musa and his people.
On the same day just six decades later, the Prophet’s grandson Husayn ibn Ali was martyred in the Battle of Karbala. This was one of the saddest and heartbreaking events in the history of Islam, which we continue to mourn today.
As we commemorate Ashura, for Prophet Musa and Imam Husayn, we are called to re-commit to our struggle against all forms of tyranny and oppression, and to seek liberty and justice for all.
Following the tradition of Prophet Muhammad, MCC would like to invite you all to fast on the day of Ashura. Let us take this day to continue the practice of our beloved Prophet, and pray for the unity of our ummah (community). Ashura falls on the evening of Wednesday, August 18 and during the day of Thursday, August 19.