(May Peace, Mercy and Blessings of Allah be on all of you)
MUHARRAM means "Forbidden";
this is the first month of Islamic calendar (Hijari Calendar). This
month was always known as a sacred month even in the ancient times.
Allah created Heaven and Earth and assigned 12 months a year out of
which He has chosen 4 months as sacred months.
Muharram is one of the
four sanctified months about which Allah said in Surah Taubah:
Indeed,
the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the
register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth;
of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong
yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively
as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the
righteous [who fear Him].
(Surha Taubah Verse 36)
Narrated
by Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (Peace be upon Him) said. "(The
division of time has turned to its original form which was current when
Allah created the Heavens and the Earths. The year is of twelve months,
out of which four months are sacred: Three are in succession Dhul-Qa'
da, Dhul-Hijja and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab of (the tribe of)
Mudar which comes between Jumadi-ath-Thaniyah and Sha ban."
(Bukhari Vol 4, Book 54 Hadeeth 419)
It
is forbidden to do all unlawful acts in the sacred months, prominently
wars and the shedding of blood (though killing any innocent is forbidden
in normal days to but especially forbidden in sacred months which mentioned above). "so do not wrong yourselves during them" in surah Taubah verse 36, clearly
indicates that any sin and wrong doing in these months is a serious
violation as compared to the wrongdoing and sins in any other month. The
good deeds i.e. charity, fasting, praying and taking care for the
rights of others also holds more reward in these months as compared to
the other months. Fasting of Ashura (10th Moharram) is Sunnah (act of our beloved Prophet Mohammad Peace be Upon Him)Prophet
Mohammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was used to be very
keen in fasting on the day of 'Ashura' because of its great
status.Narrated by Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allah
be pleased with him) "I never saw Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah
be upon him) so keen to make sure he fasted any day and preferring it
over another except this day, the day of 'Ashura', and this month
(meaning Ramadan). (Bukhari, 1867). People
of Quraysh were also use to of fasting on this day in the Pre Islamic period. Prophet Mohammad (Peace be Upon Him) fasted on this day and
commanded people to fast on this day, but when the fasts of Ramadan
became obligatory than the fast of Ashora became Optional (people were
given a choice to fast for Ashura or abandon it)Narrate
by Ayshah (Allah be pleased with her): Quraysh used to fast on the day
of Ashura in the Days of pre-Islamic days. And Allah's Messenger (Peace
Be upon Him) also used to fast. When he migrated to Medina, he used to
fast and he commanded the people to fast. But when the fasts of Ramadan
were prescribed, they became FARDH (Obligatory) and the Ashura was given up. So he
who wished, fasted (on that day) and he who wished, did not (fast).[Ahmed 26127, Bukhari 4502, Muslim 1125 & 2499, Ibn e Majah 1733, Abu Dawud 2442 Tirmadhi Hadith 753]Prophet
Musa (Moses) (Peace be Upon Him) was also use to of fasting this day for
thanking to Allah for getting rid of Pharaoh on the day of Ashura (10
Moharram)Narrated by Ibn'Abbas (Allah be
pleased with him): The Messenger of Allah (May peace be upon him)
arrived in Medina and found the Jews observing fast on the day of
'Ashura. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said to them:
What is the (significance) of this day that you observe fast on it? They
said: It is the day of great (significance) when Allah delivered Moses
and his people, and drowned the Pharaoh and his people, and Moses (Peace be upon Him)
observed fast out of gratitude and we also observe it. Upon this the
Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon Him) said: We have more right, and
we have a closer connection with Moses (Peace be upon Him) than you have; so Allah's
Messenger (may peace be upon him) observed fast (on the day of 'Ashura),
and gave orders that it should be observed. (Muslim Book 6, Hadeeth 2520)It is encouraged to fast on Ninth besides 10th MuharramNarrated
by Abdullah b 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with him): Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon Him) had said "If I live till the next (year), I
would definitely observe fast on the 9th, and the narration transmitted
by Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with Him) is:" He meant the day of Ashura."(Muslim Book 6, Hadeeth 2529)Exp:
One who keeps fast at ASHURA must fast either the day before too or the
day after it making it couple of fasts as an isolated fast is not
appreciable in Islam at ASHURA. i.e fast for 9th & 10th Muharram or
10th & 11th Moharram) but better to fast for 9th and 10th.Allah's MonthMuharram holds another specialty that it is Allah's month. Fasting in this month are preferred after the fasts of Ramadan. By
Abu Hurayrah (Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Messenger (Peace Be
Upon Him) said. "The most excellent fast after the fasts of the month of
Ramadan is in the month of Allah, Muharram." [Ahmed 8542, Muslim 1163, Abu Dawud 2429, Nasai 1609, Ibn e Majah 1742, Tirmadhi 740)] Reward of fasting on day of AshuraFor fasting the day of Ashura, Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) expected Allah to forgive our previous sins, what could be the best reward if our sins our forgiven?By
Abu Qatadah (Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (Peace be upon
Him) said, "I hope from Allah that the fast of the day of Ashura will
atone for (the sins of) the past year." (Muslim, 1162; Tirmadhi Hadith 752)Summary of Important incidents which took place in Muharram2nd Caliph of Islam UMAR (Allah be pleased with him), Father in Law of Prophet Mohammad (Peace be Upon him) was assassinated and martyr on 1 Muharram.Incidents of Asurhra (10 Muharram)
This was the day when the ship of Prophet NOAH (Peace be upon Him) landed somewhere in the present-day Iraq or Turkey.
This was the day when Prophet IBRAHIM (Peace be upon Him) was saved from the fire in which he was thrown by Nimrod.
This was the day when Prophet MUSA (Moses)
(Peace be upon Him) with the BANI-ISRAEL crossed the river that had
miraculously parted for them and that drowned Pharaoh and his nation.
This was the day whenProphet EESA (Jesus) (Peace be upon Him) was raised to heaven unharmed alive (as per Quran statement); SALAM be upon all Messengers of Allah.
HUSSAIN
(Allah be pleased with Him), the Grandson of Prophet Mohammad (Peace be
Upon Him) and many of his family members were assassinated at Karbala
on this day of Muharram 61 AH.However, except for the matter related to Prophet MUSA (Peace be upon Him) other matters have no clear conformation anywhere in Ahadith.Important NoteThis point should be remembered that fasting for Ashura doesn't mean to do wrongdoings and sins in the rest of the year expecting that the sins will be forgiven. The one must say the 5 obligatory prayers, reciter Quran, fast for Ramadan and Arafah , and try to avoid all wrongdoings/sins at the same time try not to snatch any one's right and also take care for other rights as well.
PS. The topic is made to spread awareness regarding this month and to inform about its original importance in Islam as some
people consider it as a month of mourning only, without knowing the original importance of Muharram and the day of Ashura (10th
Muharram).PSS. You all are requested to remember me and my family in your prayers please and also pray for the martyrs for the sake of Allah. May Allah help us and guide us on each step of life ameen.PSSS. Every one is allowed to share this post, NO COMPULSION
Edited by hukshila - 11 years ago