Muharram is one of the sacred months and its linguistic meaning is forbidden. Under this post, we are mentioning the essence of Muharram and Ibadah to perform in Muharram. It is the first month in our Islamic calendar and it signifies a new beginning and hope for us. At several places, it is mentioned as one of the sacred months in which Almighty Allah has asked us to not involve in sins and bad acts.
This month holds great virtue and yields great rewards on doing the great deeds. It is mentioned that the people of Quraish used to do tawba (repentance) throughout this sacred month. Also, they get people to apologize to whom they have wronged anytime. They greatly engage in the virtuous act of worship and seek forgiveness from Allah ﷻ in the month of Muharram. However, they prefer to fast to get engage in the pious act of worship to please Almighty Allah.
One of the Hadiths mentions:
‘The best fast after the month of Ramadan is fasting in the month of Allah, al-Muharram.’
Fasting on Ashura day in the light of Hadith
There are many rewards for fasting in this sacred month especially on the day of Ashura. Different sources mentioned that it is the best day to observe fasting. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) remained keen to do fasting on the day of Ashura like he waited to fast in the Holy month of Ramadan.
Ubaydallah رضي الله عنه reported: Ibn Abbas, رضي الله عنه, said:
‘I did not see the Prophet ﷺ as eager to fast a day and prefer it over others except for this Day of Ashura and this month of Ramadan’
[Sahih Bukhari and Muslim]
The Prophet ﷺ informs us of the reward of fasting on this day:
‘It serves as an expiation of forgiveness from the previous year.’
It is recommended to do fasting a day before or after. It is also said that it is good to fast on the 9th, 10th, and 11th together.
Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنه said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, ‘If I remain [alive] till the following year, I will most certainly fast the ninth alongside a tenth of al-Muharram’
[Muslim]
It is also reported that Ibn ’Abbas رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said,
‘Fast the Day of Ashura and be different from the Jews by fasting a day before it or a day after it.
[Ahmad]
Thus, we have to make sure to strive to do good by fasting more to please Almighty Allah. However, at a minimum level, we can try to do fast on the 10th Muharram as an expiation of our sins.
Significance of the Day of Ashura
The Day of Ashura holds a significant place in the history of Islam for different reasons. It is the day on which different events took place and we are ordered certain things and Ibadah to perform in Muharram and Ashura.
It was the Day when Almighty Allah ﷻ saved Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ and the Israelites from Firawn.
Allah says: ‘Then We inspired to Moses, “Strike with your staff the sea,” and it parted, and each portion was like a great towering mountain. And We advanced thereto the pursuers. And We saved Moses and those with him, all together. Then We drowned the others. Indeed in that is a sign, but most of them were not to be believers. And indeed, your Lord – He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful.’
Qur’an 26: 63-68
Allah (SWT) parted the sea miraculously for Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ and the Israelites. When Musa (AS) passed the sea, it again closed up and Firawn and his army got sank.
Previously, fasting on the Day of Ashura was compulsory. However, when Ramadan fasting became an obligation then Ashura fasting was made voluntary.
For Ramadan, it is stated in the Holy Quran:
‘O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting…’
Qur’an 2:183
Fasting in Ashura and Ibadah to perform in Muharram
Make a plan of Adhkar and think of the fasting days on which you want to observe fast. It can be done on 9th or 10th Muharram or 10th or 11th Muharram. Prior planning will get you to ease without wasting your time.
Mother Aisha رضي الله عنهما narrates:
‘The people used to fast on ’Ashura before the fasting of Ramadan was made obligatory… When Allah made the fasting of the month of Ramadan compulsory, Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said, ’Whoever wishes to fast (on the day of ‘Ashura’) may do so, and whoever wishes to leave it can do so’.
(Bukhari)
Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ also fasted on this sacred day of Ashura to show gratitude to Almighty Allah.
‘On the authority of Ibn ’Abbas رضي الله عنه who said,
“The Prophet ﷺ came to Madinah and saw the Jews fasting on the Day of Ashura. He said, ‘What is this?’ They said, ‘This is a righteous day, it is the day when Allah ﷻ saved the Children of Israel from their enemies, so Musa عليه السلام fasted on this day’. He said, ‘We have more right to Musa عليه السلام than you’, so he fasted on that day and commanded [the Muslims] to fast on that day”’.
Also, this Ashura day is the day Prophet Nuh’s عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) ark landed on mount Judi which is now called Turkey.
There is a narration reported by Imam Ahmad رَحِمَهُ ٱللّٰهُ :
It was on this day that the Ark of Nuh عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ came to rest on Mount Judi. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)
And it was said, ‘O earth, swallow your water, and O sky, withhold [your rain].” And the water subsided, and the matter was accomplished, and the ship came to rest on the [mountain of] Judiyy. And it was said, “Away with the wrongdoing people.’
(Qur’an 11:44)
Wrap up
From all the above sources, it is visible that Ashura day and Muharram are really significant and we should not have to waste it in doing daily chores. We should have to see all Ibadah to perform in Muharram and make arrangements to do fasting on this noble day.
May we get the best of the rewards for all our good deeds performed from the heart.
How are you preparing for the Islamic New Year and the month of Muharram? Do let us know in the comments below or write to us. JazakAllah!
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