Muharram Is the first month of the Islamic Calendar

Muharram
Shah ast Husayn baad Shah ast Husayn
Deen ast Husayn Deen panaa ast Husayn
Sar daad na daad dast dar dast-e-yazid
Haqqa ke bina-e laa ilahaa ast Husayn
(radi Allahu anhu)
Hazrat Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti Ajmeri (rahmatullah alayh)

The meaning of the word:- 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.
A blessing of Muharram:- There are many bounties of this month, especially the tenth of Muharram.
Two of the many virtues of the 10th of Muharram:- On this day he who spends more lavishly for the sake of his family members, Allah Ta'aalaa will bestow blessing upon the sustenance of the following year.
Abu Qataada (R.A.) has related that the Prophet Hazrath Mohammade Mustafa (SA) has reported to have said, It is my thought that by fasting on the 10th of Muharram Allah Ta'aalaa will pardon the sins of the past year.
(Tirmizi)


Events of Muharram:-

PRIOR TO ISLAM

* Adam (A.S.) was born and had entered Paradise on the 10th of Muharram.
* Ayyub (A.S.) was cured from his illness.
* A way was made in the sea for Bani Israel.
* Suleman (A.S.) was ordained King.
* The oceans and Heavens were created. (Tanbihul-Gaafileen)

During Islam:-
Hadhrat Hussain (R.A.) was martyred in this month. Shaykhain Tirmizi & Haakim has narrated from Anas (R.A) that the following verse: "Allah may forgive thee of thy sins that which is past and that which is to come." (Al-Fath)
"The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadhan is the fasting of Allah's month of Muharram."
(Muslim)

In another Hadeeth, Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) reports: "that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said: "The one that keeps a fast in the month of Muharram will receive the reward of thirty fasts for each fast (in this sacred month)."
(Tabraani)

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 Hadith citied above signifies that the fasts of the month of Muharram are the most rewardable among the Nafl fasts i.e. the fasts one observes out of his own choice without being obligatory on him.
The Hadith does not mean that the reward promised for fasts of Muharram can only be attained by fasting for the whole month. On the contrary, each fast during this month has merit. Therefore, one should take advantage of this opportunity.

The Day of Aashora (10th Muharram)

Although the month of Muharram is a sacred month as a whole, the 10 th 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.
Some Ulama (scholars) are of the opinion that before the fasts of Ramadhan were made compulsory, the fast of the day of Aashora was compulsory upon the Ummah.
This is stated in a Hadeeth reported by Hazrat Aisha (Radhiyallahu-Anha):
"that the Holy Prophet Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) ordered the observance of the fast of Aashora. However, when the fast of Ramadhan became compulsory, then whosoever wished, kept this fast and whosoever desired did not observe this fast."
(Bukhari)
But, nevertheless the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) continued to fast this day and encouraged his Companions to do the same.

The Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-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)

One should also observe the fast of the 9th Muharram to safeguard his deed from resemblance with the Non-Muslims who fast only on the 10th Muharram.
Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) said:
"When Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-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)
These Ahadeeth indicate clearly that one should fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram. However, if one does not manage to fast on the ninth, then he/she should fast on the eleventh of Muharram instead.
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:
"Observe the fast of Aashora and oppose the Jews. Fast a day before it or a day after."
(Baihaqi)
Hence, it is important to either fast on the ninth and the tenth or the tenth and the eleventh of Muharram. To fast only on the day of Aashora is Makrooh as stated by Allamah Ibn Aabideen Shaami.
One should be generous on one's family and dependants 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." (Baihaqi)
These are the only actions supported by Ahadeeth.
Let us observe this great day according to the ways of Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) and the Sahabah (Radhiyallahu-Anhum), and refrain from all innovations which deprive us of the blessings from Almighty Allah.
May Allah guide us all upon the Straight Path and save us from every act which brings His displeasure.
Ameen.

Did You Know?
The significance of the Day of Aashora is from the time of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam). Thus, to attribute the significance of Aashora to the martyrdom of Hazrat Husayn (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) is baseless. Therefore, the host of baseless customs with regard to his martyrdom must be discarded.
The martyrdom of Hazrat Husayn (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) was indeed a great tragedy but Islam is not a religion of perpetual mourning. Having love for Hazrat Husayn (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) does not necessarily mean that his blessed name should be lamented upon especially when he gained the status of a Shaheed (Martyr), but instead one should convey Thawaab (reward) to him and donate on his behalf for the pleasure of Allah (on Allah's name).
Lamenting, mourning, displaying grief and beating heads is forbidden in Islam. To carry out these acts especially on this Day of Aashora is a Bid'ah (an bad innovation in Islam). To take part in them or to look at them with respect is not permissible.
Dirges (songs of mourning) should be abstained from as they have been clearly prohibited in the Ahadeeth.
Some people think that it is not good to marry in the month of Muharram. This is also a baseless conception.

IMPERMISSIBLE ACTS ON THE DAY OF AASHOORAH
It is absolutely clear that the significance of the day of Aashoorah is from the time of the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam. However, many people regard this day as the day of mourning the martyrdom of Hadhrat Husayn radhiyallahu anhu. The martyrdom of Hadhrat Husayn radhiyallahu anhu was indeed a great tragedy but Islaam is not a religion of perpetual mourning. Abu Saeed radhiyallahu anhu relates that Rasullullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam has cursed mourners and those who listen to them (attentively). (Abu Dawood)

The pages of Islaamic History are filled with the blood of the martyrs. Should we begin to mourn the martyrdom of the Sahaabah alone, every other day would be a day of mourning. Thus, to attribute the significance of Aashoorah to the martyrdom of HadhratHusayn radhiyallahu anhu is baseless. Therefore, the host of baseless customs with regard to his martyrdom must be discarded.

Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam would have been more worthy for (mourning and lamenting). Also, refrain from innovations of the Khawaarij (those who harbour hatred for the family of Rasullullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Similarly, refrain from the innovations of the ignorant because they oppose ruin with destruction, innovations with innovations and evil with sin and show great joy and happiness in it. They regard the tenth of Muharram as the day of Eid.

They indulge in adornment and dying of the hair and beard, applying surmah (collyrium), wearing new clothes, spending lavishly, and cooking various foods and khitchra (a certain type of food) which are not generally prepared. All these actions are regarded as sunnah according to their belief, where as the true sunnah is to shun all these useless practices, since no authentic narration sanctioning and permitting such actions can be found. (Maa thabata bis sunnah Page 20-21)

Shaykh Abdul Haqq further writes a detailed list of the various beliefs about the significance of the day of Aashoorah; many of them being quoted even in our time; and concludes by saying: "All the above are fabrications." (Maa thabata bis sunnah Page 21)
Let us observe this great day according to the way of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam and the Sahaabah radhiyallahu anhum and refrain from all innovations which deprive us of the blessings from Allah Ta’aala. May Allah guide us all upon the Straight Path and save us from every act which brings His displeasure. Aameen.

RECOMMENDED DEEDS ON THE DAY OF AASHOORAH

The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam has exhorted and encouraged his ummah to fast on this day. Abu Qataadah radhiyallahu anhu narrates that the Holy Prophet sallahllahu alayhi wasallam was asked regarding the fast of the day of Aashoorah. The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam replied: "It is a compensation for the (minor) sins of the past year". (Muslim Vol.1 Page 368)
NOTE:- It must be borne in mind that wherever a promise of forgiveness of sins is made upon the fulfillment of some action, it is only the minor sins that are forgiven. The major sins are not forgiven without true tawbah (repentance).
One should also observe the fast of the 9th Muharram to safeguard his deed from resemblance with the non-muslims who fast only on the 10th Muharram. Ibne Abbas radhiyallahu anhu said: When Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam observed the fast of the day of Aashoorah and ordered (his Companions) to fast, they said, "O Rasulullah!It is a day revered by the Jews and Christians." Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "The coming year, if Allah wills, we will fast on the ninth (also)". (Muslim Vol.1 Page 359)
These ahadeeth indicate clearly that one should fast on the ninth and tenth of Muhaaram. However, if one does not manage to fast on the ninth, then he should fast on the eleventh of Muharram instead. The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: "Observe the fast of Aashoorah and oppose the Jews. Fast a day before it or a day after." (Bayhaqi). Hence, it is important to either fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram or the tenth and eleventh. To fast only on the day of Aashoorah is makrooh tanzeehi as stated by Allamah Ibne Aabideen Shaami. One should be generous on one’s family and dependents and spend more on them than what is normally spent. Abu Hurayrah radhiyallahu anhu reports that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: "One who generously spends on his family on the day of Aashoorah, Allah will increase (his provision) for the whole year". (Bayhaqi, At Targheeb Wat Tarheeb Vol. 2 Page 116)

These are the only actions supported by ahaadeeth.

THE MONTH OF MUHARRAM
With the sighting of the new moon the Islaamic new year is ushered in. The first month Muharram is one of the four sacred months that Allah has mentioned in the Holy Qur’aan:
Lo.’ The number of the months with Allah is twelve months by Allah ‘s ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them. (9:36)

The specification of these four sacred months is stated in a hadeeth narrated by Abu Bakrah radhiyallahu anhu ; Verily time has completed its cycle and returned to its original stage as it was on the day Allah created the heavens and the earth. The year consists of twelve months, four of which are sacred. Three of them occur consecutively; Zil Qa’dah, Zil Hijjah and Muharram , (the fourth being) Rajab of Mudhar (named after the tribe of Mudhar as they used to respect this month) which occurs between Jamadiul Aakhir and Sha’baan. (Bukhari Vol.2 Page 622)

From out of the four sacred months, Muharram has been blessed with certain specific virtues. The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadhaan is the fasting of Allah’s month of Muharram and the best of salaat besides the fardh (compulsory) salaat is the tahajjud salaat (performed after midnight before dawn). Muslim Vol.1 Page 368

In another hadeeth, Ibne Abbas radhiyallahu anhu reports that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: He who fasts on the day of Arafah (9th Zil Hijjah), his fast will be a compensation for the sins of two years and the one that keeps a fast in the month of Muharram will receive the reward of thirty fasts for each fast (in this sacred month). Tabraani, At Targheeb WatTarheeb Vol.2 Page 114.

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