TAG: Ashoura
Virtues Of Muharram
Muharram – The first month of the Hijra calendar – is one of the four sacred months about which Allah said: “Verily, the number of months with Allah is 12 months (in a year), so it was ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four are sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein…” (Qur’an, 9:36)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The year is 12 months of which four are sacred, the three consecutive months of Dhu’l-Qa’dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab which comes between Jumada and Sha’ban.” (Al-Bukhari, 2958)
It was reported that Ibn ‘Abbas said that this phrase “so wrong not yourselves therein…” referred to all the months, then these four were singled out and made sacred, so that sin in these months is more serious and good deeds bring a greater reward.
Voluntary fasting
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The best of fasting after Ramadan is fasting Allah’s month of Muharram.” (Sahih Muslim)
This Hadith is probably meant to encourage fasting during Muharram, without meaning that one should fast for the entire month.
Fasting on ‘Ashoura
Ibn Abbas said: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) came to Madina and saw the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Ashoura. When he asked them about it, they said, ‘This is a blessed day, it is the day when Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemies, so Musa (peace be upon him) fasted on this day.’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘We have more right to Musa (peace be upon him) than you,’ so he fasted on that day and commanded (the Muslims) to fast on that day.” (Al-Bukhari)
Fasting on the day of ‘Ashoura was earlier obligatory, but when fasting Ramadan was made obligatory, the obligation to fast ‘Ashoura was cancelled, i.e., it was no longer obligatory to fast on this day, but it is still recommended.
Virtues of fasting ‘Ashoura
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “For fasting the day of ‘Ashoura, I hope that Allah will accept it as expiation for the year that went before.” (Sahih Muslim)
This is from the bounty of Allah towards us. By fasting one day, He expiates our sins for the whole year. And Allah is the Owner of Great Bounty.
Fasting the ninth and tenth
Abdullah Ibn Abbas said: “When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) fasted on ‘Ashoura and commanded the Muslims to fast as well, they said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, it is a day that is venerated by the Jews and Christians.’ The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, ‘If I live to see the next year, Insha Allah, we will fast on the ninth day too.’ But it so happened that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) passed away before the next year came.” (Sahih Muslim)
Al-Shafi’i and his companions, Ahmad, Ishaq and others said: “It is Mustahab (recommended) to fast on both days, ninth and tenth, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) fasted on the tenth, and intended to fast on the ninth.”
The Day Of Aashura (10th Muharam ) And Historical Events
Although the month of Muharram is a sacred month as a whole, the 10th of Muharram is the most sacred of all its days.
The day is named ‘aashurah’. it is one of the most important and blessed days of allah ta’ala in the Islamic calendar. This day has been accepted as having deep significance. evidence of its significance has been clearly found in authentic traditions.
There are many prophetic events of great historical importance and also events that happened after the beloved and final messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) had left this world, such as the battle of Karbala, that have taken place on this day.
The importance of the month of Muharram has been mentioned in the Qur’an in surah taubah verse 36. This day of Ashura derives its importance from prophetic traditions. in the ahadeeth (sayings of rasulullah sallallaho alaihe wassallam) the following have been mentioned :
Fasting
The prophet Muhammad(sallallahu-alaihe 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 ” ( hadith: Muslim )
The prophet Muhammad (PBUH), 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 prophet Musa (Moses), alaihe salam, and his followers crossed the red sea miraculously and the pharaoh was drowned in its waters. On hearing this from the Jews, the prophet, sallallahu alaihi wassallam, said, “We are more closely rotated to Musa, alaihi salam, than you, and directed the Muslims to fast on the day of “Ashura”. ( hadith-abu Dawood)
“Observe the fast of Ashura and oppose the Jews. Fast a day before it or a day after.” (hadith: baihaqi)
Hence, it is important to either fast on the ninth and the tenth or the tenth and the eleventh of Muharram.
Being Generous
One should be generous with one’s family and dependents 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.” ( hadith: baihaqi )
Historical Events
There is no doubt about the blessedness of the day of Ashura. Many historical events of deep significance have also been recorded on this day.
Hazrat Musa (as) and his people, the Bani Israel, were saved from the Egyptian pharaoh by the miracle of the parting of the sea on the day of Ashura. it was for this reason that the Jews used to fast on this day.
The tragic battle of Karbala was also fought on this day. This event has many important lessons for the ummah (Muslim nation), especially at this point in time when the ummah is being maliciously targeted and persecuted just because of their attachment to and love for Islam.