Re: Muharram Starts!!! Some Important Questions to Ask (Exclusive)
*THE MONTH OF MUHARRAM *
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 months (mentioned) in the Book of Allah on the day in which He created heavens and the earth.
Among these (twelve months) there are four sanctified".
These four months, according to the authentic traditions are the months of
Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. All the commentators of the
Holy Quran are unanimous on this point, because the Holy Prophet
(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) in his sermon on the occasion of his last
Hajj, has 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 Ramadhan 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 which may be able which 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 (Alayhis salaam). Since the Pagans of Makkah attributed
themselves to Sayyidina Ibrahim (Alayhis salaam) 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 (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) the
sanctity of these months was upheld and the Holy Quran referred to them as
the "sanctified months".
The month of Muharram has certain other characteristics peculiar to it which
are specified below.
*1. Fasting during the month *
The Noble Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) has said: 'The best fasts
after the fasts of Ramadhan are those of the month of Muharram."
Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, yet, the one
who fasts in these days out of his own will and choice 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 fasts i.e. the fasts one observes out of his own choice without being obligatory on him.
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.
*2. The day of 'Ashurah' *
Although the month of 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 (Radhiallaahu Ánhu). The Holy
Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), 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 salaam) 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 (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, "We are more closely rotated to Musa (Alayhis salaam) 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 Ramadhan were made obligatory and the fast on
the day of 'Ashura' was made optional. Sayyidina 'Aisha (Radhiallaahu Ánha)
has said:
"When the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) came to Madinah, he
fasted on the day of 'Ashura' and directed the people to fast it. But when
the fasts of Ramadhan were made obligatory, the obligation of fasting was
confined to Ramadhan 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 (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to fast on the
day of 'Ashura' even after the fasting in Ramadhan was made obligatory.
Abdullah ibn Musa (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) reports that the Holy Prophet
(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) 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 Hadiths that
fasting on the day of 'Ashura' is Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu
Alayhi Wasallam) and makes one entitled to a great reward.
*According to another Hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of 'Ashura'
should either be prefixed or suffixed by another fast. It means that one
should fast two days: the 9th and 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th of
it. The reason of this additional fast as mentioned by the Holy Prophet
(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is that the Jews used to fast on the day of
'Ashura alone, and the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) 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. 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 in which Adam (Alayhis salaam) was created.
*- *This is the day in which Ibrahim was born.
*- This is the day in which Allah accepted the repentance of Sayyidina Adam
(Alayhis salaam)
- *This is the day on which the Qiyaamah (doomsday) will take place.
*- Whoever takes bath in 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 in 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
Sayyidina Husain (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) during his battle with the Syrian army.
No doubt, the martyrdom of Sayyidina Husain (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) 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 (Sallallaahu
Alayhi Wasallam) much earlier than the birth of Sayyidna Husain
(Radhiallaahu Ánhu).
On the contrary, it is one of the merits of Sayyidna Husain (Radhiallaahu
Ánhu) 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 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. Such superstitions have been totally
negated by the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). If the death of
an eminent person in a particular day renders that day unlucky for all times
to come, one can hardly find a day, free from this bad luck, out of 360 days
of the whole year, because each and every day has a history of the demise of some eminent person. The Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet
(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) have made us free from such superstitious
beliefs, and they should deserve no attention.
Another wrong practice related to this month is to hold the lamentation and
mouming ceremonies in the memory of martyrdom of Sayyidna Husain
(Radhiallaahu Ánhu). As mentioned earlier, the event of Karbala is one of
the most tragic events of our history, but the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu
Alayhi Wasallam) 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 (Sallallaahu Alayhi
Wasallam) 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 absolutely impermissible. Even Sayyidna Husain (Radhiallaahu
Ánhu) at shortly before his demise, had advised his beloved sister Sayyidah
Zainab (Radhiallaahu Ánha) at not to mourn over his death in this manner. He
said,
"My dear sister, I swear upon you that you, in case I die, 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, (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) 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 (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and his beloved grand child Sayyidna Husain (Radhiallaahu Ánhu).
Mufti Taqi Uthmaani