MUHARRAM in Islam

Society Religion & Philosophy
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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.

Muharram

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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.

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Lamentations and Mourning

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 al-Athir 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.

Muharram

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Re: MUHARRAM in Islam

Peace sonador,

The pratice of distribution of water and meal is very common as it is done by many muslims around the world. Rahi baat marriage ki so some peoples hold marriage ceremony in the month of Muharram and some other don't due to different reasons. The most common reason which I think is due to that they don't hold marriage ceremony in repsect of belief of others.

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Though there's no extra reward if people give away food and water in Muharram but generally it's a good charity work and should be done all the year round.

JazakAllah brother.

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So you are saying the Prophet learned about an act of worship through the Jewish people of Medina rather than in a revelation? That sounds odd to me.

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Sonador Husaain(s) ko bhi Sayid aur katil ko bhi Ameer kehtay hay so confused person ki baatein pe dehan na dey. :smack:

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Ahmed and Ibn al-Dhahhak
narrated from Ali (AS): “I
entered on the prophet (S) and
his eyes were flooded, I said: Oh!
Prophet of Allah, anyone made
you angry? Why are your eyes
flooded? He said: Gabriel just left
me telling me that al-Hussain
will be killed by the river
Euphrates. He (the Prophet (S))
said: So he (Gabriel) said: Do you
want me to let you smell his dirt
(from his burial pot)? I said: Yes!
He reached with his hand and
grabbed and handful of dirt and
gave it to me. So I could not help
it and my eyes were flooded.”

Umm Salamah has said: "al-
Hussain entered on the Prophet
(S), while I was sitting at the
door, so I saw in the hand of the
Prophet (S) something he turned
over while (Hussain) sleeping on
his stomach. I said: Oh
messenger of Allah, I looked and
saw you turning something over
in your hand when the kid was
sleeping on your stomach and
your tears were pouring? He
said: Gabriel came to me with
the sand upon which he
(Hussain) will be killed. And he
informed me that my nation
(umma) will kill him.

you people who definately weep nd cry when anybody of your family dies how can you say that its prohibited to weep for the sake of death of the prince of heaven and earth the son of damaat e mustafa and bibi fatima and the grandson of tajdar e kainaat s.a.w the shahid e karbala hazrat imam hussain ibn ali a.s.
our prophet mourned for his matyrdom so its a sunnah to weep on this day the ashura.
he who loves hussain loves prophet and he who hates hussain hates the prophet.

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There’s no reliable evidence that Husain ra is Saiyid.

The reliable hadith of Sahih Bukhari calls Hasan radiyallahu anhu Saiyid because he made peace with Ameer Muawiyah radiyallahu anhu.

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Saum (fasting) was taught to the Prophet s.a.w by Allah; Jews didn't show this 'act of worship' to the Prophet of Islam.

And according to the hadith, the Prophet s.a.w saw Jews fasting on the day of Ashurah; he found out the Jews fast on that day because Allah relieved Musa alayhis salam and his people from Pharaoh on that day, so Prophet s.a.w suggested Muslims were closer to Musa alayhis salam than Jews so Muslims should also fast on that day. The Prophet of Islam doesn't do anything without Allah's permission.

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Removed inappropriate posts (includes posts that have been quoted). Bas, this thread is locked until you guys can discuss without attacking.

Have a good day, gracias :)