Muharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their
lunar Calendar. It is one of the four sacred months about
which the Quraan Says:
"Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve (lunar)
months in the register of Allah (from) the day He created the heavens
and the earth; of these, four are sacred…" [9:36]
These four months, according to the authentic Prophetic narrations, are Dhul-Qi'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. All the interpreters of the Noble Quraan are unanimous on this point, because the Prophet (saws) declared in his sermon on the occasion of his last Hajj: "One year consists of twelve months, of which four are sacred months; three of them are in sequence; Dhul-Qi'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 Ramadaan is admittedly the most sacred month in the year. But these four months were specifically termed as sacred months for the simple reason that even the pagans of Makkah accepted their sacredness.
The sacredness of these four months was established right from the day Allah created the universe. Since the Pagans of Makkah attributed themselves to Ibraheem (as) who observed the sacredness of these months; they also observed the sacredness of these four months and despite their frequent tribal battles, they held it unlawful to fight in these months.
These four months, according to the authentic Prophetic narrations, are Dhul-Qi'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. All the interpreters of the Noble Quraan are unanimous on this point, because the Prophet (saws) declared in his sermon on the occasion of his last Hajj: "One year consists of twelve months, of which four are sacred months; three of them are in sequence; Dhul-Qi'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 Ramadaan is admittedly the most sacred month in the year. But these four months were specifically termed as sacred months for the simple reason that even the pagans of Makkah accepted their sacredness.
The sacredness of these four months was established right from the day Allah created the universe. Since the Pagans of Makkah attributed themselves to Ibraheem (as) who observed the sacredness of these months; they also observed the sacredness of these four months and despite their frequent tribal battles, they held it unlawful to fight in these months.
In Islam, the sanctity of these months was upheld and the Holy Quraan referred to them as the "sanctified months". Muharram has certain other characteristics special to it, which are as follows:
Fasting during the month:
The Prophet (saws) said: 'The best fast after the fast of Ramadaan is to fast in the month of Muharram." [Sahih Muslim]
Al Nawawi said: 'Our scholars say: and among the fasting that is desirable is the fasting of the four Hurum (forbidden) months: ‘Dhul Qida, Dhul Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab and the best among them is Muharram.'
Even
though the fast during the month of Muharram is not obligatory, one
who fasts these days out of his own will is entitled to a great
reward from Allah. The Hadith cited above signifies
that fasting in the month of Muharram is the most rewardable among
voluntary fasting. It does not mean that the award promised for the
fast of Muharram can be achieved only by fasting for the whole month.
On the contrary, fasting any day during this month has its merits.
Therefore, one should avail of this opportunity as much as he
can.
The day of ‘Ashoora’:
Although Muharram is a sacred month as a whole, yet, the 10th day of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named ‘Ashoora’. According to Ibn 'Abbaas when the Prophet (saws) migrated to Madinah, he found that the Jews of Madeenah used to fast on the 10th day of Muharram. They said that it was the day on which Prophet Musa and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously and Pharaoh was drowned in its waters. On hearing this from the Jews, the Prophet (saws) said, "We are worthier of Musa than you," and he urged the Muslims to fast on the day of ‘Ashoora’. [Abu Dawood]
It is also reported in a number of authentic narrations that in the beginning, fasting on the day of 'Ashoora' was obligatory for the Muslims. It was later that the fast of the month of Ramadaan was made obligatory and the fast on the day of 'Ashoora' was made optional. 'A’ishah said: "When the Prophet (saws) came to Madeenah, he fasted on the day of 'Ashoora' and urged the people to do likewise. But when the fast of the month of Ramadaan was made obligatory, the obligation of fasting was confined to Ramadaan and the obligatory nature of the fast of 'Ashoora' was abandoned. So, whoever wishes to fast on the day of 'Ashoora', he may do so, and whoever chooses not to fast, then he may also do so." [Abu Dawood]
However, the Prophet (saws) used to fast on the day of 'Ashoora' even after the fasting of the month of Ramadaan was made obligatory. Abdullah Ibn Moosa reports that the Prophet (saws) preferred the fast of 'Ashoora' over the fasts of other days and preferred the fast of the month of Ramadaan over the fast of 'Ashoora'. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Misconceptions and Innovations:
However, there are some legends and misconceptions with regard to 'Ashoora' that have managed to find their way into the minds of the unlearned, but have no support of authentic Islamic sources; some very common of them are these:
· This is the day on which Adam (as), was created.
· This is the day when Ibraheem (as) was born.
· This is the day when Allah accepted the repentance of Adam (as).
· This is the day when Doomsday will take place. Whoever takes a bath on the day of 'Ashoora' will never get ill.
All these and other similar whims and illusions are totally baseless and the narrations referred to in this respect are not worthy of any credit. Some people take it as Sunnah to prepare a particular type of meal on the day of 'Ashoora'. This practice, has also no basis in the authentic Islamic sources.
Some other people attribute the sanctity of 'Ashoora' to the martyrdom of Al-Hussayn. No doubt, the martyrdom of Al-Hussayn, is one of the most tragic episodes of our history. Yet, the sanctity of 'Ashoora' cannot be ascribed to this event for the simple reason that the sanctity of 'Ashoora' was established during the days of the Prophet (saws) much earlier than the birth of Al-Hussayn. On the contrary, it is one of the merits of Al-Hussayn, that his martyrdom took place on this blessed day.
Another misconception about the month of Muharram is that it is an evil or unlucky month, for Al-Hussayn was killed in it. It is for this misconception that some people avoid holding marriage ceremonies in the month of Muharram. This is again a baseless concept, which is contrary to the teachings of the Holy Quraan and the Sunnah of the Prophet (saws). If the death of an eminent person on a particular day renders that day unlucky for all times to come, then one can hardly find a day of the year free from this bad luck because every day is associated with the demise of some eminent people. The Quraan and the Sunnah of the Prophet (saws) have liberated us from such superstitious beliefs.
Lamentations and mourning:
Another wrong practice related to this month is to hold lamentation and mourning ceremonies in the memory of the martyrdom of Al-Hussayn. As mentioned earlier, the event of Karbala’ is one of the most tragic events of our history, but the Prophet (saws) has forbidden us from holding mourning ceremonies on the death of any person. The people of Jaahiliyyah used to mourn over their deceased through loud lamentations, by tearing their clothes and beating their cheeks and chests. Indeed, the Prophet (saws) prevented the Muslims from doing all this and directed them to observe patience by saying "Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji'oon" (To Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return). A number of authentic narrations are available on the subject. To quote only one of them: "He is not from us who slaps his checks, tears his clothes and cries in the manner of the people of Jahiliyyah". [Al-Bukhari]
All the prominent jurists are unanimous on the point that the mourning of this type is impermissible. Even Al-Hussayn, shortly before his demise, had advised his beloved sister Zaynab not to mourn over his death in this manner. He said, "My dear sister! I swear upon you that in case I die you shall not tear your clothes, nor scratch your face, nor curse anyone for me or pray for your death." [Al-Kaamil, Ibn Katheer vol. 4 pg. 24]
The day of ‘Ashoora’:
Although Muharram is a sacred month as a whole, yet, the 10th day of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named ‘Ashoora’. According to Ibn 'Abbaas when the Prophet (saws) migrated to Madinah, he found that the Jews of Madeenah used to fast on the 10th day of Muharram. They said that it was the day on which Prophet Musa and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously and Pharaoh was drowned in its waters. On hearing this from the Jews, the Prophet (saws) said, "We are worthier of Musa than you," and he urged the Muslims to fast on the day of ‘Ashoora’. [Abu Dawood]
It is also reported in a number of authentic narrations that in the beginning, fasting on the day of 'Ashoora' was obligatory for the Muslims. It was later that the fast of the month of Ramadaan was made obligatory and the fast on the day of 'Ashoora' was made optional. 'A’ishah said: "When the Prophet (saws) came to Madeenah, he fasted on the day of 'Ashoora' and urged the people to do likewise. But when the fast of the month of Ramadaan was made obligatory, the obligation of fasting was confined to Ramadaan and the obligatory nature of the fast of 'Ashoora' was abandoned. So, whoever wishes to fast on the day of 'Ashoora', he may do so, and whoever chooses not to fast, then he may also do so." [Abu Dawood]
However, the Prophet (saws) used to fast on the day of 'Ashoora' even after the fasting of the month of Ramadaan was made obligatory. Abdullah Ibn Moosa reports that the Prophet (saws) preferred the fast of 'Ashoora' over the fasts of other days and preferred the fast of the month of Ramadaan over the fast of 'Ashoora'. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Misconceptions and Innovations:
However, there are some legends and misconceptions with regard to 'Ashoora' that have managed to find their way into the minds of the unlearned, but have no support of authentic Islamic sources; some very common of them are these:
· This is the day on which Adam (as), was created.
· This is the day when Ibraheem (as) was born.
· This is the day when Allah accepted the repentance of Adam (as).
· This is the day when Doomsday will take place. Whoever takes a bath on the day of 'Ashoora' will never get ill.
All these and other similar whims and illusions are totally baseless and the narrations referred to in this respect are not worthy of any credit. Some people take it as Sunnah to prepare a particular type of meal on the day of 'Ashoora'. This practice, has also no basis in the authentic Islamic sources.
Some other people attribute the sanctity of 'Ashoora' to the martyrdom of Al-Hussayn. No doubt, the martyrdom of Al-Hussayn, is one of the most tragic episodes of our history. Yet, the sanctity of 'Ashoora' cannot be ascribed to this event for the simple reason that the sanctity of 'Ashoora' was established during the days of the Prophet (saws) much earlier than the birth of Al-Hussayn. On the contrary, it is one of the merits of Al-Hussayn, that his martyrdom took place on this blessed day.
Another misconception about the month of Muharram is that it is an evil or unlucky month, for Al-Hussayn was killed in it. It is for this misconception that some people avoid holding marriage ceremonies in the month of Muharram. This is again a baseless concept, which is contrary to the teachings of the Holy Quraan and the Sunnah of the Prophet (saws). If the death of an eminent person on a particular day renders that day unlucky for all times to come, then one can hardly find a day of the year free from this bad luck because every day is associated with the demise of some eminent people. The Quraan and the Sunnah of the Prophet (saws) have liberated us from such superstitious beliefs.
Lamentations and mourning:
Another wrong practice related to this month is to hold lamentation and mourning ceremonies in the memory of the martyrdom of Al-Hussayn. As mentioned earlier, the event of Karbala’ is one of the most tragic events of our history, but the Prophet (saws) has forbidden us from holding mourning ceremonies on the death of any person. The people of Jaahiliyyah used to mourn over their deceased through loud lamentations, by tearing their clothes and beating their cheeks and chests. Indeed, the Prophet (saws) prevented the Muslims from doing all this and directed them to observe patience by saying "Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji'oon" (To Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return). A number of authentic narrations are available on the subject. To quote only one of them: "He is not from us who slaps his checks, tears his clothes and cries in the manner of the people of Jahiliyyah". [Al-Bukhari]
All the prominent jurists are unanimous on the point that the mourning of this type is impermissible. Even Al-Hussayn, shortly before his demise, had advised his beloved sister Zaynab not to mourn over his death in this manner. He said, "My dear sister! I swear upon you that in case I die you shall not tear your clothes, nor scratch your face, nor curse anyone for me or pray for your death." [Al-Kaamil, Ibn Katheer vol. 4 pg. 24]
It is
evident from this advice, 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 Prophet (saws).
INSHA'ALLAH TO FURTHER READ SIMILAR PREVIOUS ARTICLES, CLICK:
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