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Home , Muharram, Rajab, Sacred months

MONTH of

Of the twelve of the , four the speciality of these months is that whoever engages in months are regarded as . These are Ibaadah will be inspired to engage in ibaadah during the Muharram, , Dhul Qa’da and Dhul Hijjah. Because remaining months of the year as well. Similarly, the of their special significance, the rewards for good deeds person who makes an effort to abstain from sin during are increased during these months. At the same time, one these months will find it easy to abstain from sin during should take care to abstain from sins during these months the other months of the year. Therefore, failure to derive because their consequences are also significantly worse. benefit from these months is a great loss indeed. This is the opinion of Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas (as well. Similar is the case with Makkah (Ma’aariful Qur’aan Vol 4 Pg 373 ريض اللهّٰ عنهام Mukarramah, where the rewards of good deeds are increased and the punishment for sins is more severe. FASTING DURING THE OF MUHARRAM

(Tafseer Ibn Katheer Vol.2 Pg. 554) Another virtue of Muharram is that the fasts during this month are second in excellence to the fasts of Ramadhan. says, “The sin for an Although every day and every month belongs to رحمة اللّٰه عليه Hadhrat Qataadah has mentioned that Muharram is ﷺ injustice during these months is greater than the same sin Ta’ala, Rasulullah intended to ﷺ during other months. Although injustice always remains a Allah’s month. By saying this, Rasulullah major sin, Allah Ta’ala is at liberty to add gravity to emphasise the added auspiciousness of this month. whatever He pleases.” He states further, “Allah Ta’ala reports that Rasulullah ريض اللّٰه عنه has accorded special virtue to some of His creation Hadhrat Abu Hurayra said, “After the fasts of Ramadhan, the best fasts are ﷺ above the rest. He has given special virtue to the messengers from among the angels and to the messengers those observed during Allaah’s month of Muharram.” from mankind. He has given special virtue to His speech over that of others and He has selected the Masaajid to (Tirmidhi Vol 1 Pg 157) grant His special merit from among all other places. narrates that he was once sitting ريض اللّٰه عنه From among the months, He has accorded special virtue Hadhart when a person asked, “O Rasulullah ﷺ to the month of Ramadhan and the four sacred months. with Rasulullah besides the month of Ramadhan, in which month ﷺ From among the days, He has selected the day of replied, “If ﷺ Jumu’ah (Friday) and from among the nights, He has would you advise me to fast?” Rasulullah selected the night of Qadr for special merit. One should you wish to fast in any month after Ramadhaan, then fast therefore attach value to those things that Allah Ta’ala in the month of Muharram because this is Allaah’s has given value. Intelligent people realise that the month. It has a day in which Allah Ta’ala had accepted things that are really important are those things to which the repentance of a nation and in which Allah Ta’ala will Allah Ta’ala has granted importance.” accept the repentance of others also.”

(Tafseer Ibn Katheer Vol.2 Pg. 554) (Tirmidhi Vol.1 Pg. 157)

It is therefore necessary that Muslims exert themselves to The nation whose Taubah (repentance) was accepted on a carry out good deeds during the months of Muharram, day in this month was the Bani Israa’eel. It was on the Rajab, Dhul Qa’da and Dhul Hijjah. Imaam Jasaas Raazi 10th of Muharram (Aashura) that the Bani Israa’eel (the were saved from عليه السالم writes in his book “Ahkaamul Qur’aan” that Jews) and Hadhrat Moosa رحمة اللّٰه عليه Fir’oun and his army.

Contact IUS Publications: +44(0)7760 530 258 | [email protected] fasted ﷺ narrates that Rasulullah ريض اللّٰه عنهام Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbaas on the day of Aashura and instructed the Muslims to fast as well. When the ,that the Jews and the Christians revere this day ﷺ TH Muslims told Rasulullah 10 of he replied, “If I am alive next year, In’shaa’Allah I shall fast on the 9th as .passed away before the next year ﷺ well.” However, Rasulullah (Muslim Vol.1 Pg.359)

MUHARRAM CORRECTION OF BELIEF The virtues of the day of Aashura (10th of Muharram), its importance and the reason for its significance have already come to our knowledge. The and the Bani Israa’eel were rescued عليه السالم The 10th of Muharram is a significant day in Islamic reason is that Hadhrat Moosa used to fast on this day and from Fir’oun and his army on this day. As a token of gratitude, Hadhrat ﷺ history. Rasulullah also fasted ﷺ fasted on this day. In emulation, Rasulullaah عليه السالم Moosa to also fast. The fast ريض ّٰ عنهم commanded the Sahabah on this day and instructed the Muslims to do the same. While the compulsion الله of this day was initially Waajib (compulsory), but the to fast on this day has been waived, the fast has still been retained in the compulsion was waived when the fasts of Ramadhan Shari’ah as an optional but highly commendable deed. It is perhaps because were made Fardh. The Muslims then had a choice to of this same incident that people are encouraged to spend freely on their either fast on this day or not to fast. However, the virtues families on this day. Allah Ta’ala knows best. of this fast have been expounded in the Ahadeeth. SPENDING FREELY ON ONE’S FAMILY Among these is the virtue that the previous year’s sins :said ﷺ mentions that Rasulullah ريض اللّٰه عنه Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood are forgiven. “Allah Ta’ala will grant prosperity throughout the year to the person who spends freely on his family on the day of Aashura.” (Tabraani, Bayhaqi). said, “I have ﷺ narrated that Rasulullah ريض اللّٰه عنه Hadhrat Abu Qataadah strong hope that Allah Ta’ala will forgive the previous year’s sins for WILL QIYAAMAH TAKE PLACE ON THE DAY OF AASHURA fasting on the day of Aashura.” (Tirmidhi Vol.1 Pg.151) (10TH MUHARRAM)? An authentic reported in Tirmidhi (pg.110) states that Qiyaamah will Note: The sins referred to here are minor sins. Taubah is required to secure take place on a Friday. However, no authentic hadith says that this Friday forgiveness for major sins. will fall on the 10th of Muharram (i.e. the day of Aashura).

Initially the Muslims only fasted on the 10th of Muharram but before his FABRICATED VIRTUES OF THE DAY OF AASHURA (10TH OF (mentioned that if he were alive the next year, he MUHARRAM ﷺ demise, Rasulullah :did not live to see the The famous virtues of the day of Aashura that are all fabrications are ﷺ would fast on the 9th as well. Sadly, Rasulullah following Muharram. It is therefore necessary for Muslims to fast on the .was accepted on this day عليه السالم That the repentance of Hadhrat Aadam 9th and 10th of Muharram or on the 10th and 11th. 1. .settled on Mount Judi on this day عليه السالم That the ark of Hadhrat Nooh .2 .was saved from the fire on this day عليه السالم That Hadhrat Ibraheem Note: To fast only on the 10th is Makrooh Tanzihi (i.e. an act disliked by the 3. Shari’ah) (Durrul Mukhtaar Vol.2 Pg.91 Rashidia). 4. That on this day Allah Ta’ala sent the ram to be sacrificed in place of .عليه السالم Hadhrat Isma’eel to his father عليه السالم That on this day Allah Ta’ala returned Hadhrat Yusuf .5 .عليه السالم The history of this fast stems from the time of Hadhrat Moosa .عليه السالم and the Hadhart Ya’qoob عليه السالم Because it was on the day of Aashura that Hadhrat Moosa .That there is a special Salah to be performed on this day fasted on 6. عليه السالم Bani Israa’eel were saved from Fir’oun, Hadhrat Moosa this day to express his gratitude to Allah Ta’ala. The Bani Israa’eel also did 7. That the person who baths on this day will not suffer any illness for the the same and this day was always regarded as a day of fasting among the year. Bani Israa’eel. Emulating this practice of the Jews, the also fasted 8. That the person applying kohl on this day will not have any pain in the .also kept this fast (in Makkah). When Rasulullah eyes for the entire year ﷺ on this day. Rasulullah arrived in Madina, he asked the Jews why they observed this fast. They ﷺ informed him that they fasted because it was on this day that Allah Ta’ala A GRAVE MISCONCEPTION said to them that Many people believe that the significance of Muharram and Aashura is ﷺ saved them from the tyranny of Fir’oun. Rasulullah .This belief is erroneous .ريض اللّٰه عنه than they are. Therefore, linked to the martyrdom of Hadhrat Husain عليه السالم the Muslims are closer to Hadhrat Moosa was perfected during his very lifetime. How ﷺ fasted on this day and instructed the Muslims to do so as The Shari’ah of Rasulullah ﷺ Rasulullah initially preferred to do things according to can any aspect of the Shari’ah then pivot on an incident that took place long ﷺ well. Although Rasulullah In fact, it occurred many years after the ?ﷺ the ways of the Ahlul Kitaab (Jews and Christians) to win them over to after the demise of Rasulullah , Allah Ta’ala later commanded him to oppose their ways. It was then period of the four Khulafa Raashideen (the four righteous Khalifs). announced that he would fast on the 9th as well if he ﷺ that Rasulullah lived until the next Muharram. CONCLUSION Everything said above has made it evident that the day of Aashura (10th of Muharram) is especially important because it was the day in which Hadhrat ﷺ reports that when Rasulullah ريض اللّٰه عنهام Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbas and the Bani Israa’eel were saved while Fir’oun and his army عليه السالم came to Madina, he noticed that the Jews fasted on the day of Aashura. Musa When he asked them the reason for this, they replied, “This is a great day. were drowned. It is also because of this that the fast is observed on this day. It was on this day that Allah Ta’ala saved the Bani Israa’eel from their Everything else pertaining to its importants is unfounded. No injunction of the Shari’ah pertaining to this day is related to the martyrdom of Hadhrat عليه السالم enemy. On this day Allah Ta’ala granted victory to Hadhrat Moosa There are no special Salaahs to be performed and no .ريض اللّٰه عنه and the Bani Israa’eel. We fast because of the distinction of this day.” Husain .then said to the Jews, “We are closer to Hadhrat Moosa special foods that have to be prepared either ﷺ Rasulullah also observed this fast and instructed the ﷺ than you.” Rasulullah عليه السالم Muslims to follow suit. (Bukhari Vol.1 Pg.268 & 562) Source used: Muharram and Aashura virtues and laws By Sheikul Hadith Hadhrat Moulana Fazlur Rahman Saheb Azmi (D.B)

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