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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-Qa'dah, 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-Qa'dah, 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.
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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 of'Ashura 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.
What is mentioned above is all that is supported through authentic
sources about Ashura.
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