"Lo! The number of the months with Allah is twelve months by Allah's ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them". (9:36)
From out of the four sacred months, Muharram has been blessed with certain specific virtues. The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadhaan is the fasting of Allah's month of Muharram and the best of salaat besides the fardh (compulsory) salaat is the tahajjud salaat (performed after midnight before dawn). (Muslim Vol.1 Page 368)
In another hadeeth, Ibne Abbas radhiyallahu anhu reports that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: He who fasts on the day of Arafah (9th Zil Hijjah), his fast will be a compensation for the sins of two years and the one that keeps a fast in the month of Muharram will receive the reward of thirty fasts for each fast (in this sacred month).
(Tabraani, At Targheeb Wat Tarheeb Vol.2 Page 114.)
THE DAY OF AASHOORAA (10th MUHARRAM)
The tenth day of this sacred month, Muharram is known as Aashooraa. It is one of the most important and blessed days of Allah in the Islaamic calendar. Some ulamaa (scholars) are of the opinion that before the fasts of Ramadhaan were made compulsory, the fast of the day of Aashooraa was compulsory upon the ummah. This is stated in a hadeeth reported by Aaishah radhiyallahu anha that the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam ordered the observance of the fast of Aashooraa. However, when the fast of Ramadhaan became compulsory, then whosoever wished, kept this fast and whosoever desired did not observe this fast.
(Bukhari Vol.1 Page 268)
In another hadeeth, Ibne Abbas radhiyallahu anhu narrates that the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam came to Madinah and found the Jews fasting on the day of Aashooraa. Hence the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam inquired of them, "What is (the significance of) this day on which you fast?" They replied, "This is a great day. On this day Allah saved Moosa and his people and drowned Fir'awn and his nation. Thus Moosa alayhis salaam fasted on this day as a token of thanksgiving, therefore we too fast on this day." The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "We are more worthy of Moosa and nearer to him than you." Thereafter, the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam fasted on this day and ordered (his Companions) that a fast be kept on this day. (Muslim Vol.1 Page 359
RECOMMENDED DEEDS ON THE DAY OF AASHOORAA
The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam has exhorted and encouraged his ummah to fast on this day. Abu Qataadah radhiyallahu anhu narrates that the Holy Prophet sallahllahu alayhi wasallam was asked regarding the fast of the day of Aashooraa. The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam replied: "It is a compensation for the (minor) sins of the past year". (Muslim Vol.1 Page 368)
One should also observe the fast of the 9th Muharram to safeguard his deed from resemblance with the non-muslims who fast only on the 10th Muharram. Ibne Abbas radhiyallahu anhu said: When Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam observed the fast of the day of Aashooraa and ordered (his Companions) to fast, they said, "O Rasulullah! It is a day revered by the Jews and Christians." Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "The coming year, if Allah wills, we will fast on the ninth (also)". (Muslim Vol.1 Page 359)
Hence, it is important to either fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram or the tenth and eleventh.
One should be generous on one's family and dependants and spend more on them than what is normally spent. Abu Hurayrah radhiyallahu anhu reports that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: "One who generously spends on his family on the day of Aashooraa, Allah will increase (his provision) for the whole year".
(Bayhaqi, At Targheeb Wat Tarheeb Vol.2 Page 116)
IMPERMISSIBLE ACTS ON THE DAY OF AASHOORAA
It is absolutely clear that the significance of the day of Aashooraa is from the time of the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam. However, many people regard this day as the day of mourning the martyrdom of Husayn radhiyallahu anhu. The martyrdom of Husayn radhiyallahu anhu was indeed a great tragedy but Islaam is not a religion of perpetual mourning. Abu Saeed radhiyallahu anhu relates that Rasullullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam has cursed mourners and those who listen to them (attentively).(Abu Dawood)
Shaykh Abdul Haqq Muhaddith Dehlawi writes: Beware! Do not participate in the innovations of the Rawaafidh. Do not involve yourself in the mourning, lamenting and displaying grief. This is not the conduct of the Muslims. If mourning was permissible then the day of the demise of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam would have been more worthy for (mourning and lamenting). Also, refrain from innovations of the Khawaarij (those who harbour hatred for the family of Rasullullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Similarly, refrain from the innovations of the ignorant because they oppose ruin with destruction, innovations with innovations and evil with sin and show great joy and happiness in it. They regard the tenth of Muharram as the day of 'eid. They indulge in adornment and dying of the hair and beard, applying surmah (collyrium), wearing new clothes, spending lavishly, and cooking various foods and khitchra (a certain type of food) which are not generally prepared. All these actions are regarded as sunnah according to their belief, where as the true sunnah is to shun all these useless practices, since no authentic narration sanctioning and permitting such actions can be found.(Maa thabata bis sunnah Page 20:21)
Let us observe this great day according to the way of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam and the Sahaabah radhiyallahu anhum and refrain from all innovations which deprive us of the blessings from Allah Ta'aala. May Allah guide us all upon the Straight Path and save us from every act which brings His displeasure. Aameen.
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