The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu-Ala yhi-Wasallam) said: The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadhan is the fasting of Allahs month of Muharram. (Muslim) Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, the one who fasts in these days out of his own will and choice is entitled to a great reward by Almighty Allah. The month of Muharram is a sacred month as a whole, the 10th of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named ‘Ashurah. It is one of the most important and blessed days of Allah in the Islamic calendar. According to the Holy companion, Ibn Abbas Radhiallaho Anhu, when the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam migrated to Madinah, he found that the Jews of Madinah used to fast on the 10 th day of Muharram. They said that it was the day on which the Holy Prophet Musa Alayhis Salaam 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 Alayhi Wassallam said, “We are more closely related to Musa than you.” So the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam directed the Muslims to fast on the day of Ashura. (Abu Dawood) According to another Hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of Ashura should be either preceeded or suceded by an additional fast. It means that one should fast two days: the 9 th and 10 th of Muharram or the 10 th and 11 th . The reason of this additional fast as mentioned by the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam is that the Jews used to fast on the day of Ashura alone, and the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam wanted to distinguish the Islmaic-way of fasting from that of the Jews. Therefore, he advised the Muslims to add another fast to the day of Ashura. The Prophet (Sallallahu-Ala yhi-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. (Muslim) Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu-A nhu) said: When Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Ala yhi-Wasallam) observed the fast of the day of Aashora and ordered (his Companions) to fast, they said: `O Rasulullah! It is a day revered (glorified) by the Jews and Christians. Thereupon Rasulullah said: The coming year, if Allah wills (I remain alive), I will for surely fast on the ninth (also). (Muslim) The significance of the Day of Aashora is from the time of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu-Ala yhi-Wasallam). Thus, to attribute the significance of Aashora to the martyrdom of Hazrat Husayn (Radhiyallahu-A nhu) is baseless. Therefore, the host of baseless customs with regard to his martyrdom must be discarded. Lamenting, mourning, displaying grief and beating heads is forbidden in Islam. To carry out these acts especially on this Day of Aashora is a Bidah (an bad innovation in Islam). To take part in them or to look at them with respect is not permissible. Some people think that it is not good to marry in the month of Muharram. This is also a baseless conception. The word Muharram means Forbidden. Even before Islam, this month was always known as a sacred month in which all unlawful acts were forbidden, prominently the shedding of blood Jazak Allahu khairan !
Posted on: Thu, 07 Nov 2013 17:56:41 +0000
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