Jubayer Ahmad
The word, Muharram, means ‘forbidden’, ‘sacred’ or
‘honourable’. The first month of Islamic (lunar) calendar is known as Muharram.
It is a sacred month and one of the four haraam or sacred months (Dhul-Qadah,
Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab). Allah (SWT) made the month sacred by
mentioning it in Qur'an. Allah (SWT) says: “Indeed, the number of months
ordained by Allah is twelve—in Allah’s Record since the day He created the
heavens and the earth—of which four are sacred. That is the Right Way. So, do
not confuse with one another during these months… (SuraTawbah: 36).Concerning
this month the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “… The year is twelve months, of
which four are sacred: three consecutive months, Dhu al-Qa‘dah, Dhu al-Hijjah,
Muharram and Rajab of Mudar which comes between Jumaada and Sha‘baan.”
(Bukhari).
The month of Muharram is regarded as the second holiest
month of the year after Ramadan. Even before the arrival of The last Messenger
Muhammad (PBUH), Muharram was considered as the sacred month. Warfare between
the tribes of Arabian Peninsula was banned during this blessed month. It is the
glorious month when the rewards for good deeds are multiplied. The Messenger of
Allah (PBUH) used to encourage his companions to perform voluntary fasting
during Muharram and describe this month as the ‘sacred month of Allah.’ It is
proved by authentic narrations that the best fasting after Ramadan is fasting
in the month of Muharram. Abu Hurayrah (Ra) reported that The Messenger of
Allah (PBUH) said: “The best fasting after Ramadan is the month of Muharram,
and the best prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night.” (Sahih
Muslim).
Although The complete month of Muharram is sacred, but the
Day of Ashura, is the most sacred day among all its days. The word, ‘Ashura,’
means ‘the tenth day’. The tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the
Islamic (Hijri) calendar is known as ‘Ashura’. The day of Ashura is Special
From the creation of the universe. This is a great day, on which Allah (SWT)
saved Musa (AS) and his followers, and drowned Pharaoh and his people and the
Ark of Nuh (AS) came to rest on the mountain known as al-Judi. After his
migration to Madinah, our beloved Prophet (PBUH) came to know that the Jews
practice fasting on the Ashura a Musa (AS) used to fast on the Ashura in
commemoration of the freedom of BaniIsrail from Firaun (king of Egypt).
Abdullah Ibn Abbas, (Ra.) narrated, “The Prophet (PBUH) came to Medinah and saw
the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Ashura’”. He asked, “What is this?” They
replied, “This is a righteous day, it is the day when Allah saved the Children
of Israel from their enemies. So, Musa (AS) fasted on this day.” The prophet
(PBUH) further said, ‘We have more right to Musa than you. So, he fasted on
that day and commanded (the Muslims) to fast on that day.” (Sahih Bukhari).
The significance of Ashura was such, that it was obligatory
to fast on this day before the obligation was abrogated by the fasts of Ramadan.
Aisha (Ra.) narrated: “Allah’s messenger ordered (the Muslims) to fast on the
day of ‘Ashura, and when fasting in the month of Ramadan was prescribed, it
became optional for one to fast on that day (Ashura) or not. (Sahih Bukhari).
According to Islamic Shariyah, it is not Wajib (mandatory) to fast on the day
of Ahura, but it has great virtue and an immense reward. It expiates sins for
one year that went before. Abu Qatada (Ra.) reported that the Prophet (PBUH)
said, ‘the fasting on the day of Ashura atones for the sins of the preceding
year.’ (Sahih Muslim).
The prophet (PBUH) recommended us to be different from the
Jews to fast on the 9th or the 11th day of Muharrum. The prophet (PBUH) said:
"Fast on the day of Ashura, but do so differently than the Jews by fasting
the day before it or the day after it." (Musnad Ahmad). The Prophet (PBUH)
meant was that he would also fast on the 9th as well as the 10th to which he
was accustomed of. We also should try fasting on the 9th and the 10th of
Muharram.
The martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the beloved grandson of our
Prophet ( PBUH) is undoubtedly the most significant, one of the most pathetic
and painful chapters of Islamic history. We should remember and pay solemn
respect to the sacrifice of Imam Hussain (Ra.) for the establishment of Islam
and pray for the martyrs of Karbala. But showing love for Imam Hussain (Ra.)
through beating heads, lamenting the saddest episode of Karbala, mourning, and
displaying grief is completely forbidden in Islam. Abdullah IbnMas’ud (Ra)
narrated that The Messenger of Allah ( PBUH) said, “He who slaps his cheeks,
tears his clothes and follows the ways and traditions of the Days of Ignorance
is not one of us.” (Sahih Bukhari).
The writer is a national award-winning Qari and Khatib of
BaitushShafiq Mosque, Gazipur
