SIGNIFICANCE OF MUHARAM Muharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar Hijrah Calendar. It is one of the four sanctified months about which the Holy Quran says, The number of the months according to Allah is twelve (mentioned) in the Book of Allah on the day He created heavens and the earth. Among these (twelve months) there are four sanctified. These four months, according to the authentic traditions, are Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. All the commentators of the Holy Quran are unanimous on this point, because the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, in his sermon on the occasion of his last Hajj, declared: One year consists of twelve months, of which four are sanctified months, three of them are in sequence; Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and the fourth is Rajab. The specific mention of these four months does not mean that any other month has no sanctity, because the month of Ramadan is admittedly the most sanctified month in the year. But these four months were specifically termed as sanctified months for the simple reason that their sanctity was accepted even by the pagans of Makkah. In fact, every month, out of the twelve, is originally equal to the other, and there is no inherent sanctity that may be attributed to one of them in comparison to the other months. When Allah Almighty chooses a particular time for His special blessings, the same acquires sanctity out of His grace. Thus, the sanctity of these four months was recognized right from the days of Sayyidina Ibrahim, alayhi salam. Since the Pagans of Makkah attributed themselves to Sayyidina Ibrahim, alayhi salam, they observed the sanctity of these four months and despite their frequent tribal battles, they held it unlawful to fight in these months. In the Shariah of our Noble Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, the sanctity of these months was upheld and the Holy Quran referred to them as the sanctified months. Muharram has certain other characteristics special to it, which are specified below. FASTING DURING THE MONTH The Noble Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, has said: The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are those of the month of Muharram. Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, yet one who fasts in these days out of his own will is entitled to a great reward by Allah Almighty. The Hadith cited above signifies that the fasts of the month of Muharram are most rewardable ones among the Nafl or voluntary fasts. The Hadith does not mean that the award promised for fasts of Muharram can be achieved only by fasting for the whole month. On the contrary, each fast during this month has merit. Therefore, one should avail of this opportunity as much as he can. THE DAY OF ASHURAH Although Muharram is a sanctified month as a whole, yet, the 10th day of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named Ashurah. According to the Holy Companion Ibn Abbas, Radi-Allahu anhu. The Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, when migrated to Madinah, found that the Jews of Madinah used to fast on the 10th day of Muharram. They said that it was the day on which the Holy Prophet Musa (Moses), alayhis salam, and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously and the Pharaoh was drowned in its waters. On hearing this from the Jews, the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said, We are more closely rotated to Musa, alayhi salam, than you, and directed the Muslims to fast on the day of Ashura. (Abu Dawood) It is also reported in a number of authentic traditions that in the beginning, fasting on the day of Ashura was obligatory for the Muslims. It was later that the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory and the fast on the day of Ashura was made optional. Sayyidina Aisha, Radi-Allahu anha, has said: When the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, came to Madinah, he fasted on the day of Ashura and directed the people to fast. But when the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory, the obligation of fasting was confined to Ramadan and the obligatory nature of the fast of Ashura was abandoned. Whoever so desires should fast on it and any other who so likes can avoid fasting on it. (Sunan Abu Dawud) However, the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, used to fast on the day of Ashura even after the fasting in Ramadan was made obligatory. Abdullah ibn Musa, Radi-Allahu anhu, reports that the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, preferred the fast of Ashura on the fasts of other days and preferred the fasts of Ramadhaan on the fast of Ashura. (Bukhari and Muslim) In short, it is established through a number of authentic ahadith that fasting on the day of Ashura is Sunnah of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and makes one entitled to a great reward. According to another Hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of Ashura should either be preceded or followed by another fast. It means that one should fast two days: the 9th and 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th. The reason of this additional fast as mentioned by the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is that the Jews used to fast on the day ofAshura alone, and the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, wanted to distinguish the Muslim way of fasting from that of Jews. Therefore, he advised the Muslims to add another fast to that of Ashura. Some traditions signify another feature of the day of Ashura. According to these traditions, one should be more generous to his family by providing more food to them on this day as compared to other days. These traditions are not very authentic according to the science of Hadith. Yet, some Scholars like Baihaqi and Ibn Hibban have accepted them as reliable. SOME AHADEETH ON THE TOPIC: Recommended deeds on the day of ASHURAH The Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) has exhorted and encouraged his Ummah to fast on this day. He said: This fast is a compensation for the (minor) sins of the past year. (Muslim) One should also observe the fast of the 9th Muharram to safeguard his deed from resemblance with the Non-Muslims who fast only on the 10th Muharram. Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) said: When Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) observed the fast of the day of Aashora and ordered (his Companions) to fast, they said: `O Rasulullah! It is a day revered (glorified) by the Jews and Christians. Thereupon Rasulullah said: The coming year, if Allah wills (I remain alive), I will for surely fast on the ninth (also). (Muslim) These Ahadeeth indicate clearly that one should fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram. However, if one does not manage to fast on the ninth, then he/she should fast on the eleventh of Muharram instead. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said: Observe the fast of Aashora and oppose the Jews. Fast a day before it or a day after. (Baihaqi) Hence, it is important to either fast on the ninth and the tenth or the tenth and the eleventh of Muharram. To fast only on the day of Aashora is Makrooh as stated by Allamah Ibn Aabideen Shaami. One should be generous on ones family and dependants and spend more on them than what is normally spent. Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said: One who generously spends on his family on the day of Aashora, Allah will increase (his provision) for the whole year. (Baihaqi) What is mentioned above is all that is supported through authentic sources about Ashura.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 20:20:16 +0000
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