Description: The Month of MuharramMuharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Glorious Qur’an:
Lo! The number of the months with Allah is twelve months by Allah’s Ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them...(9:36)
The specification of these four sacred months is stated in a Hadith narrated by Abu Bakrah radhiyallāhu ‘anhu that Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said, “Verily time has completed its cycle and returned to its original stage as it was on the day Allah created the heavens and the earth. The year consists of twelve months, four of which are sacred. Three of them occur consecutively; Dhul Qa‘dah, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram, (the fourth being) Rajab of Mudar (named after the tribe of Mudar as they used to respect this month) which occurs between Jamādi‘ul Akhir and Sha‘ban.” (Bukhari #5550, #7447)
From out of the four sacred months, Muharram has been blessed with certain specific virtues. Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said, “The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadan is the fasting of Allah’s Month of Muharram and the best of Salah besides the fard (compulsory)Salah is the Tahajjud Salah (performed after midnight before dawn).” (Muslim #1163)
In another hadīth, Ibn ‘Abbās radhiyallāhu ‘anhuma reports that the Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said, “He who fasts on the day of ‘Arafāt (9th Dhul Hijjah), his fast will be a compensation for the sins of two years, and one who keeps a fast in the month of Muharram will receive the reward of thirty fasts for each fast.” (Tabrani, at-Targhib wat-Tarhib Vol.2 Pg.46)
THE DAY OF ‘ĀSHŪRĀ (10th Muharram)
The tenth day of the month of Muharram is known as ‘Ashura. It is one of the most important and blessed days in the Islamic calendar. Some ‘Ulama (scholars) are of the opinion that before the fasts of Ramadan, the fast of the day of ‘Ashura was compulsory upon the Ummah. This is stated in a Hadith reported by ‘A’ishah radhiyallahu ‘anha that the Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam ordered the observance of the fast of ‘Ashura. However, when the fast of Ramadan became compulsory, then whosoever wished, kept this fast and whosoever desired did not observe this fast. (Bukhari)
But Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam, nevertheless, continued to fast this day and encouraged his companions to do the same. Ibn ‘Abbas radhiyallahu ‘anhuma says, “I did not see Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam anxiously await the fast of any day, which he gave preference to over other days, but this day, the day of ‘Ashura.” (Bukhārī)
Humayd Ibn ‘Abdur Rahman radhiyallāhu ‘anhu narrates that he heard Mu‘awiyah ibn Abī Sufyan radhiyallahu ‘anhuma on the day of ‘Ashura, during the year he performed Hajj, saying on the pulpit, “O the people of Madinah! Where are your ‘ulamā? I heard Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam saying, ‘This is the day of ‘Ashura. Allāh has not enjoined its fasting on you, but I am fasting it. Whosoever wishes, keep (this) fast and whosoever desires do not observe (this fast).’” (Bukhārī)
In another hadith, Ibn ‘Abbas radhiyallāhu ‘anhuma narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam came to Madīnah and found the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Ashura. Hence Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam inquired of them, “What is (the significance of) this day on which you fast?” They replied, “This is a great day. On this day Allah saved Musa ‘Alayhis Salam and his people and drowned Fir‘awn and his nation. Thus Musa ‘Alayhis Salam fasted on this day as a token of thanksgiving, therefore we too fast on this day.” Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said, “We are more worthy of Musā and nearer to him than you.” Thereafter, Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam fasted on this day and ordered (his companions radhiyallāhu ‘anhum) that a fast be kept on this day. (Muslim)
RECOMMENDED DEEDS ON THE DAY OF ‘ĀSHŪRĀ
1) Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam has exhorted and encouraged his Ummah to fast on this day. Abu Qatadah radhiyallāhu ‘anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wasallam was asked regarding the fast of the day of ‘Ashūra. Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam replied, “It is a compensation for the (minor) sins of the past year.” (Muslim)
NOTE: It must be borne in mind that wherever a promise of forgiveness of sins is made upon the fulfilment of some action, it is only the minor sins that are forgiven. The major sins are not forgiven without true tawbah (repentance).
2) One should also observe the fast of the 9th or 11th Muharram to safeguard his deed from resemblance with the non-Muslims who fast only on the 10th Muharram. Ibn ‘Abbas radhiyallāhu ‘anhuma said, “When Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam observed the fast of the day of ‘Ashura and ordered (his companions radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to fast, they said, ‘O Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam! It is a day revered by the Jews and Christians.’ Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said, ‘The coming year, if Allah wills, we will fast on the ninth (also).’” (Muslim)
Ibn ‘Abbas radhiyallāhu ‘anhu reports that Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said, “Should I live until the coming year, I will definitely fast on the ninth (also).” (Muslim)
The noble Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said, “Observe the fast of ‘Āshūrā and oppose the Jews. Fast a day before it or a day after.” (Bayhaqi)
Hence, it is important to either fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram or the tenth and eleventh. To fast only on the day of ‘Ashura is Makruh Tanzihi as stated by ‘Allamah Ibn ‘Abidin Shami rahimahullāh. (Raddul Muhtar Vol.2 Pg. 375)
3) One should be generous to one’s family and dependents and spend more on them than is normally spent. Abū Hurayrah radhiyallāhu ‘anhu reports that Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said, “One who generously spends on his family on the day of ‘Ashura, Allah will increase (his provision) for the whole year.” (Bayhaqī, at-Targhīb wat-Tarhīb)
This Hadīth is not very authentic according to the science of Hadith. However, scholars of Hadīth like Bayhaqī and Ibn Hibbān rahimahumallāh have accepted it as reliable.
These are the only actions supported by Ahadith.
ACTS TO REFRAIN FROM
1) It is absolutely clear that the significance of the day of ‘Ashura is from the time of the noble Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam. However, many people regard this day as the day of mourning the martyrdom of Husayn Radhiyallāhu ‘Anhu. The martyrdom of Husayn Radhiyallāhu ‘Anhu was indeed a great tragedy, but Islam is not a religion of perpetual mourning. Abū Sa‘īd Radhiyallāhu ‘Anhu relates that Rasūlullāh Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam has cursed mourners and those who listen to them. (Abū Dawood)
The pages of Islamic History are filled with the blood of the martyrs. Should we begin to mourn the martyrdom of the Sahabah Radhiyallāhu ‘Anhum alone, every other day would be a day of mourning. Thus, to attribute the significance of ‘Ashura to the martyrdom of Husayn Radhiyallāhu ‘Anhu is baseless. Therefore, the host of baseless customs with regard to his martyrdom — mourning, lamenting and displaying grief — must be discarded. If mourning were permissible, then the day of the demise of Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam would have been more worthy for mourning and lamenting.
2) The following misconceptions with regard to ‘Ashura are baseless:
• This is the day in which Ādam 'Alayhis Salaam was created.
• This is the day in which Ibrahīm 'Alayhis Salaam was born.
• This is the day on which Qiyamah will take place.
• Whoever has a bath on the day of Ashura will never get ill.
3) Some regard the tenth of Muharram as a day of ‘Eid. They indulge in adornment, applying Surmah (collyrium), wearing new clothes, spending lavishly and cooking a particular type of meal which is not generally prepared. All these actions are regarded as Sunnah according to their belief, whereas no authentic narration sanctioning and permitting such actions can be found.
4) Another misconception is that the month of Muharram is an unlucky month; hence marriage ceremonies should be avoided in this month. This concept is again contrary to the teachings of Rasūlullāh Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam.
Let us observe this great day according to the way of Rasalullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam and the Sahabah Radhiyallāhu ‘Anhum and refrain from all innovations which deprive us of the blessings from Allāh Ta’ālā. May Allāh Ta’ala guide us all upon the Straight Path and save us from every act which brings His Displeasure. Āmīn.
By Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullah
