The month of Muharram

The most virtuous day of the month of Muharram is the day of ‘Asyura, which falls on the 10th of Muharram. On this day, Muslims are highly encouraged to fast! So here’s some introduction and information of Muharram, and we hope you’ll benefit something from this inshallah. 

1. The Hijiri (Islamic) calendar is very similar to the Gregorian calendar that we’d usually use and refer to in our daily lives (such as the month of January, February, etc). As Muslims, we should also take note on the months of Islam! The Hijiri calendar consists of 12 months in a year, with 354 or 355 days. The calendar begins with Muharram, followed by Safar, Rab-ul Awal, Rab-ul Akhir, Jumada-Awal, Jumada-Akhir, Rajab, Sha’ban, Ramadhan, Shawal, Dhul-Qidah and ends with Dhul-Hijjah.

Related verse from the Quran: 

♦ “Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year) so was it ordained by Allah on the day, when He created the Heaven and the Earth; of them four are sacred” [ At-Tawbah 9:36]

2. The month of Muharram is special, for it is one of the 4 sacred months in the Hijiri calendar. The other 3 other sacred months other than Muharram are: Dhul-Qaidah, Dhul-Hijjah and Rejab.

Related verse from the Quran: 

♦ “Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year) so was it ordained by Allah on the day, when He created the Heaven and the Earth; of them four are sacred” [ At-Tawbah 9:36]

Related hadith: 

• The Prophet (s.a.w) said :“The year is of twelve months, four of which are sacred; three consecutive months, Dhul-Qidah, Dhul-Hijjah, and Muharram and Rejab…” [Al-Bukhari # 2511]

3. As a sacred month, it’s best to increase in doing good deeds such as fasting and sadaqah! And by sacred, it signifies the importance, status and adoration of this month by Allah! In fact, good deeds done during these months will be more greatly rewarded, inshallah.

Related hadith:

• The Prophet (pbuh) said: “The best month of fasting after Ramadhan is the month of Allah – Muharram” [Sahih Muslim]

 

4. The day of ‘Asyura is greatly related to the story concerning Prophet Musa (or Moses a.s), where he was saved by Allah by his enemies and Firaun at the Red Sea. When Prophet Musa (a.s) was cornered by Firaun and his army, he asked Allah to help him escape.

Related hadith:

• Narrated by Ibn Abbas (r.a): The Prophet (s.a.w.) came to Madinah and found the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Asyura. He asked them: “Why are you fasting on this day?” They said: “This ia a great day, Allah saved the Prophet Musa (a.s) and the tribes of Israil from their enemies, and therefore Musa (a.s) fasted to it”. The prophet (pbuh) said: “We have more right to Musa (a.s) than you”. So he fasted on that day also and ordered the people to fast as well. [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

5. To fast on the day of ‘Asyura is the highlight of the month of Muharram. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) observed fasting on this day to express his gratitude to Allah, hence, we Muslims should too. Take note that it is permissible to fast on the day of ‘Asyura only, but it is better to fast a day before OR after as this is a sunnah act.
Fasting of ‘Asyura can be on the 9th and 10th of Muharram (15th and 16th December 2010) OR 10th and 11th of Muharram (16th and 17th December 2010).
Did you know that the reward of fasting of the day of ‘Asyura is an expiation (deletion) of sins for the year before? Mashallah!

Related hadith:

• When the Prophet (pbuh) fasted on the day of ‘Asyura, the people told him that this is a day that the Jews and Christians honour. The Prophet (pbuh) said: “When the following year comes, Allah willing, we shall fast both of the 9th and 10th day of Muharram” (That is to be different from the Jews and the Christians). The Prophet (pbuh) however passed away before the following year. [Muslim]

• Narrated by Ibn Abbas (r.a): “I have never saw the Prophet more keen to fast on any day than the day of ‘Asyura, and any month than the month of Ramadhan”. [Al-Bukhari]

• The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Fasting on the day of ‘Asyura, I hope will be an expiation of sins for the year before”. [Sahih Muslim, vol 1 # 368]