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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.
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.
Misconceptions and
Baseless Traditions:
However, there are some legends and
misconceptions with regard to 'Ashura' 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 on which Adam, alayhi salam, was created. This is
the day when Ibrahim, alayhi salam, was born. This is the day when
Allah accepted the repentance of Sayyidina Adam, alayhi salam.
This is the day when Qiyaamah (doomsday) will take place. Whoever
takes bath on the day of 'Ashura' 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 on the day of 'Ashura'. This practice,
too, has no basis in the authentic Islamic sources.
Some other people attribute the sanctity of 'Ashura'
to the martyrdom of Sayyidna Husain, Radi-Allahu anhu, during his
battle with the Syrian army. No doubt, the martyrdom of Sayyidina
Husain, Radi-Allahu anhu, is one of the most tragic episodes of
our history. Yet, the sanctity of 'Ashura' cannot be ascribed to
this event for the simple reason that the sanctity of 'Ashura' was
established during the days of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu
alayhi wa sallam, much earlier than the birth of Sayyidna Husain,
Radi-Allahu anhu.
On the contrary, it is one of the merits of
Sayyidna Husain, Radi-Allahu anhu, that his martyrdom took place
on the day of 'Ashura'.
Another misconception about the month of
Muharram is that it is an evil or unlucky month, for Sayyidna
Husain, Radi-Allahu anhu, 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 Quran and the Sunnah.
If the death of an eminent person on a particular day renders that
day unlucky for all times to come, 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 person. The Holy Quran and the
Sunnah of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, have
liberated us from such superstitious beliefs.
Lamentations and
Mournings:
Another wrong practice related to this month is
to hold the lamentation and mouming ceremonies in the memory of
martyrdom of Sayyidna Husain, Radi-Allahu anhu. As mentioned
earlier, the event of Karbala is one of the most tragic events of
our history, but the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam,
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 through loud lamentations, by tearing their
clothes and by beating their cheeks and chests. The Holy Prophet,
Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, stopped the Muslims from doing all
this and directed them to observe patience by saying "Innaa
lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji'oon". A number of authentic
Ahaadith are available on the subject. To quote only one of them:
"He is not from our group who slaps his checks,
tears his clothes and cries in the manner of the people of
jahiliyyah." (Sahih Bukhari)
All the authentic jurists are unanimous on the
point that the mourning of this type is impermissible. Even
Sayyidna Husain, Radi-Allahu anhu, shortly before his demise, had
advised his beloved sister Sayyidah Zainab, Radi-Allahu anha, at
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-Kamil, ibn Kathir vol. 4 pg. 24)
It is evident from this advice of Sayyidna
Husain, Radi-Allahu anhu, 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, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa
sallam, and his beloved grand child Sayyidna Husain, Radi-Allahu
anhu.
Article taken (with Thanks) from Albalagh.net |
