The Month of Muharram
Shaykh Mawlana Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullah
10-04-2016
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Muharram, 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 RA that Rasulullah SAW 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 Mu?ar (named after the tribe of Mu?ar as they used to respect this month) which occurs between Jamadi‘ul Akhir and Sha‘ban.” (Al-Bukhari)
From out of the four sacred months, Muharram has been blessed with certain specific virtues. The noble Prophet SAW 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 far? (compulsory) ?alah is the tahajjud salah (performed after midnight before dawn).” (Muslim)
In another hadith, Ibn ‘Abbas RA reports that the Messenger of Allah SAW said, “He who fasts on the day of ‘Arafah (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 Mu?arram will receive the reward of thirty fasts for each fast.”
(Al-tabrani, at-Targhib wat-Tarhib)
THE DAY OF ‘ASHURA (10th Mudarram)
The tenth day of the month of Mu?arram 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 RA that the noble Prophet SAW 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. (Al-Bukhari)
But the Prophet SAW, nevertheless, continued to fast this day and encouraged his companions to do the same. Ibn ‘Abbas RA says, “I did not see Rasulullah SAW anxiously await the fast of any day, which he gave preference to over other days, but this day, the day of ‘Ashura.” (Al-Bukhari)
Humayd Ibn ‘Abdur Rahman RA narrates that he heard Mu‘awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan RA on the day of ‘Ashura, during the year he performed hajj, saying on the pulpit, “O the people of Madinah! Where are your ‘ulama? I heard Rasulullah SAW saying, ‘This is the day of ‘Ashura. Allah 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).’” (Al-Bukhari)
In another hadith, Ibn ‘Abbas RA narrates that the noble Prophet SAW came to Madinah and found the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Ashura. Hence the noble Prophet SAW 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 AS and his people and drowned Fir‘awn and his nation. Thus Musa AS fasted on this day as a token of thanksgiving, therefore we too fast on this day.” The Messenger of Allah SAW said, “We are more worthy of Musa and nearer to him than you.” Thereafter, the noble Prophet SAW fasted on this day and ordered (his companions y) that a fast be kept on this day. (Muslim)
RECOMMENDED DEEDS ON THE DAY OF ‘ASHURA
1) The noble Prophet SAW has exhorted and encouraged his Ummah to fast on this day. Abu Qatadah RA narrates that the noble Prophet SAW was asked regarding the fast of the day of ‘Ashura. The noble Prophet SAW 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 RA said, “When Rasulullah s observed the fast of the day of ‘Ashura and ordered (his companions RA) to fast, they said, ‘O Rasulullah SAW! It is a day revered by the Jews and Christians.’ Rasulullah SAW said, ‘The coming year, if Allah wills, we will fast on the ninth (also).’” (Muslim)
Ibn ‘Abbas t reports that Rasulullah SAW said, “Should I live until the coming year, I will definitely fast on the ninth (also).” (Muslim)
The noble Prophet SAW said, “Observe the fast of ‘Ashura and oppose the Jews. Fast a day before it or a day after.” (Al-Bayhaqi)
Hence, it is important to either fast on the ninth and tenth of Mu?arram or the tenth and eleventh. To fast only on the day of ‘Ashura is makruh tanzihi as stated by ‘Allamah Ibn ‘Abidin Shami RA.
3) One should be generous to one’s family and dependants and spend more on them than is normally spent. Abu Hurayrah RA reports that Rasulullah SAW said, “One who generously spends on his family on the day of ‘Ashura, Allah will increase (his provision) for the whole year.” (AlBayhaqi, At-Targhib wat-Tarhib)
This ?adith is not very authentic according to the science of hadith. However, scholars of hadith like Bayhaqi and Ibn hibban RA 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 SAW. However, many people regard this day as the day of mourning the martyrdom of husayn RA. The martyrdom of husayn t was indeed a great tragedy, but Islam is not a religion of perpetual mourning. Abu Sa‘id RA relates that Rasulullah SAW has cursed mourners and those who listen to them. (Abu Dawud)
The pages of Islamic History are filled with the blood of the martyrs. Should we begin to mourn the martyrdom of the ?ahabah RA alone, every other day would be a day of mourning. Thus, to attribute the significance of ‘Ashura to the martyrdom of ?usayn RA 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 SAW 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 Adam AS was created.
· This is the day in which Ibrahim AS 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 Mu?arram as a day of ‘Id. 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 Mu?arram is an unlucky month; hence marriage ceremonies should be avoided in this month. This concept is again contrary to the teachings of Rasulullah SAW.
Let us observe this great day according to the way of Rasulullah SAW and the sahabah RA and refrain from all innovations which deprive us of the blessings from Allah SWT. May Allah SWT guide us all upon the Straight Path and save us from every act which brings His Displeasure. Amin.
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