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 Qur'an says,
"The number of the
months according to Allah is twelve months (mentioned) in the Book of Allah on
the day in which He created heavens and the earth. Among these (twelve
months) there are four sanctified".
These four months, according to the authentic
traditions are the months of Zulqa'dah, Zulhijjah, Muharram and Rajab. All the
commentators of the Holy Qur'an are unanimous on this point, because the Holy
Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) in his sermon on the occasion of his last
Hajj, has declared:
"One year consists of
twelve months, of which four are sanctified months, three of them are in
sequence; Zulqa'dah, Zulhijjah, 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
Ramadhan 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 which may be
attributed to one of them in comparison to other months. When Allah Almighty
chooses a particular time for His special blessings, then it acquires sanctity
out of His grace.
Thus, the sanctity of these four months was
recognized right from the days of Sayyidina Ibrahim(A.S.) . Since the Pagans of
Makkah attributed themselves to Sayyidina Ibrahim(A.S.) 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 Shari'ah of our Holy Prophet (Sallallahu
Alaihi Wassallam) the sanctity of these months was upheld and the Holy Qur'an
referred to them as the "sanctified months".
The month of Muharram has certain other
characteristics peculiar to it which are specified below.
1. Fasting during the month
The Holy Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam)
has said:
"The best fasts after
the fasts of Ramadhan are those of the month of Muharram."
Although the fasts of the month of Muharram
are not obligatory, yet, the one who fasts in these days out of his own will and
choice is entitled to a great reward by Allah Almighty. The Hadith cited above
signifies that the fasts of the month of Muharram are most reward-able ones
among the Nafl fasts i.e. the fasts one observes out of his own choice without
being obligatory on him.
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.
2. The day of ''Ashurah'
Although the month of 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(R.A.)
. The Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) , 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) (A.S.) and his
followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously and the Pharaoh was drowned in its
water. On hearing this from the Jews, the Holy Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi
wassallam) ' said, "We are more closely related to Musa than you" and directed
the Muslims to fast on the day of ''Ashurah. (Abu Dawood)
It is also reported in a number of authentic
traditions that in the beginning, fasting on the day of ''Ashurah was obligatory
for the Muslims. It was later that the fasts of Ramadhan were made obligatory
and the fast on the day of ''Ashurah was made optional. Sayyidah 'A'ishah(R.A.)
has said:
"When the Holy Prophet
(Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) came to Madinah, he fasted on the day of ''Ashurahh
and directed the people to fast it. But when the fasts of Ramadhan were made
obligatory, the obligation of fasting was confined to Ramadhan and the
obligatory nature of the fast of 'Ashurah was abandoned. One can fast on this
day, if he so wills, or can avoid fasting, if he so wills."
However, the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi
Wassallam) used to fast on the day of 'Ashurah even after the fasting in
Ramadhan was made obligatory. Abdullâh Ibn Mas'ûd(R.A.) reports that the Holy
Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) preferred the fast of 'Ashurah to the fast
of other days and preferred the fast of Ramadhan to the fast of ''Ashurahh. (Bukharî
and Muslim)
In short, it is established through a number
of authentic ahâdîth that fasting on the day of 'Ashurah is Sunnah of the Holy
Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) and makes one entitled to a great reward.
According to another hadith, it is more
advisable that the fast of 'Ashurah should either be prefixed or suffixed by
another fast. It means that one should fast two days: the 9th an 10th of
Muharram or the 10th and 11th of it. The reason of this additional fast as
mentioned by the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) is that the Jews
used to fast on the day of 'Ashurah alone, and the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho
Alaihi Wassallam) wanted to distinguish the Islamic-way of fasting from that of
Jews. Therefore, he advised the Muslims to add another fast to that of ''Ashurah.
Some traditions signify another feature of
the day of ''Ashurah. 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.
What is mentioned above is all that is supported through authentic sources about
'Ashurah.
However, there are some legends and
misconceptions with regard to 'Ashurah that have managed to find their way into
the minds of the ignorant, but have no support of authentic Islamic sources,
some very common of them are these:
This is the day in which Adam(A.S.) was
created.
This is the day in which Ibrahim(A.S.) was born.
This is the day in which Allah accepted the repentance of Sayyidina
Ibrahim(A.S.) .
This is the day on which the Qiyamah (dooms-day) will take place.
Whoever takes bath in the day of ''Ashurah will never get ill.
All these and other similar whims and fancies
are totally baseless and the traditions referred to in this respect are not
worthy of any credit.
Some people take it as Sunnah to prepare a
particular type of meal in the day of 'Ashurah. This practice, too, has no basis
in the authentic Islamic sources.
Some other people attribute the sanctity of 'Ashurah
to the martyrdom of Sayyidina Husain(R.A.) during his battle with the Syrian
army. No doubt, the martyrdom of Sayyidina Husain (R.A.) is one of the most
tragic episodes of our history. Yet, the sanctity of 'Ashurah cannot be ascribed
to this event for the simple reason that the sanctity of 'Ashurah was
established during the days of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam)
much earlier than the birth of Sayyidna Husain(R.A.)
On the contrary, it is one of the merits of
Sayyidna Husain that his martyrdom took place on the day of 'Ashurah.
Another misconception about the month of
Muharram is that it is an evil or unlucky month, for Sayyidna Husain was killed
in it. It is for this misconception that people avoid holding marriage
ceremonies in the month of Muharram. This is again a baseless concept which is
contrary to the express teachings of the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah. Such
superstitions have been totally negated by the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi
Wassallam). If the death of an eminent person in a particular day renders that
day unlucky for all times to come, one can hardly find a day, free from this bad
luck, out of 365 days of the whole year, because each and every day has a
history of the demise of some eminent person. The Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of
the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) have made us free from such
superstitious beliefs, and they should deserve no attention.
Another wrong practice related to this month
is to hold the lamentation and mourning ceremonies in the memory of martyrdom of
Sayyidna Husain (R.A.). As mentioned earlier, the event of Karbala is one of the
most tragic events of our history, but the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi
Wassallam) has forbidden us from holding the mourning ceremonies on the death of
any person. The people of Jahiliyyah (Ignorance) used to mourn over their
deceased relatives or friends through loud lamentations, by tearing their
clothes and by beating their cheeks and chests. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu
Alaihi Wassallam) stopped the Muslims from doing all this and directed them to
observe patience by saying "Inna lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji oon". A number
of authentic ahâdîth are available on the subject. To quote only one of them:
"He is not from our
group who slaps his cheeks, tears his clothes and cries in the manner of the
people of jahiliyyah."
All the authentic jurists are unanimous on
the point that the mourning of this type is absolutely impermissible. Even
Sayyidna Husain (R.A.) shortly before his demise, had advised his beloved sister
Sayyidah Zainab(R.A.) not to mourn over his death in this manner. He said:
"My dear sister, I
swear upon you that you, in case I die, shall not tear your clothes, nor
scratch your face, nor curse anyone for me or pray for your death".
It is evident from this advice of Sayyidna
Husain(R.A.) that this type of mourning is condemned even by the blessed person
for the memory of whom these mourning ceremonies are held. Every Muslim should
avoid this practice and abide by the teachings of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu
alaiyhi wassallam) and his beloved grand child Sayyidina Husain (R.A.).
EVENTS OF MUHARRAM
Is the first month of the Islamic Calendar.
The meaning of the word:- The word "Muharram"
means "Forbidden." Even before Islam, this month was always known as a scared
month in which all unlawful acts were forbidden, prominently the shedding of
blood.
A blessing of Muharram:- There are many
bounties of this month, especially the tenth of Muharram.
Two of the many virtues of the 10th of Muharram:-
On this day he who spends more lavishly for
the sake of his family members, Allah Ta'ala will bestow blessing upon the
sustenance of the following year.
Abu Qataada (R.A.) has related that the
Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has reported to have said, It is my
thought that by fasting on the 10th of Muharram Allah Ta'ala will pardon the
sins of the past year. (Tirmizi)
Events of Muharram:-
Hadhrat Hussain (R.A.) was martyred in this
month.
Shaykhain Tirmizi & Haakim has narrated from
Anas (R.A) that the following verse:
"Allah may forgive thee of thy sins that
which is past and that which is to come." (Al-Fath) was revealed on the 10th of
Muharram.
The Prophet Muhammed(sallallahu alaiyhi
wassallam) went to defeat Bani Muhaarin and Bani Tha'laba (Tribes of Bani Gatfan)
in the year 4 A.H. (Asahhus-siyar)
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