By Mufti Taqi Usmani |
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 (Peace Be Upon Him), 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
(Peace Be Upon Him), 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 (Peace Be Upon Him),
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. |
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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 (Peace
Be Upon Him), 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 (Peace Be Upon Him), 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 (Peace Be Upon
Him), 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 (Peace Be
Upon Him), 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 (Peace Be Upon Him),
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 (Peace Be Upon Him), 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 (Peace Be Upon
Him), is that the Jews used to fast on the day of'Ashura alone, and
the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), 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. |
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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 (Peace Be Upon Him), 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 (Peace Be Upon Him), 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 (Peace Be Upon Him), 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 (Peace Be
Upon Him), 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 (Peace Be
Upon Him), and his beloved grand child Sayyidna Husain, Radi-Allahu
anhu. |
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