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Muharram- Virtues and Significance

by | Dec 2, 2011

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The Holy Month of Muharram starts with the siting of the New moon. Muharram is the first month of the Hijri calendar. Muharram is the month of endless blessings and rewards for Muslims. So the devout Muslims eagerly wait to get any chance to earn good deeds and gain Allah’s Good Pleasure.

As Muharram is one of the sacred months told by Allah in Surah e Tawbah:

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّهُورِ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِى كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ مِنْهَآ أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا۟ فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ وَقَٰتِلُوا۟ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ كَآفَّةً كَمَا يُقَٰتِلُونَكُمْ كَآفَّةً ۚ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ

“Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve (in a year): It was so ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four are sacred (i.e. the 1st, the 7th, the 11th and the 12th months of the Islamic calendar). That is the right religion, so wrong, not yourselves therein…” [al-Tawbah 9:36]

According to the Prophet (SAW), these four months are Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. (Bukhaari)

Muharram is so called because it is a sacred (Muharram) month and to confirm its sanctity. Allah’s words (interpretation of the meaning): ” … so wrong not yourselves therein … ” mean do not wrong yourselves in these sacred months because sin in these months is worse than in other months. It was reported that Ibn ‘Abbas said that this phrase referred to all the months, then these four were singled out and made sacred so that sin in these months is more serious and good deeds bring a greater reward.

Virtues Of Muharram

Good deeds in the month of Muharram are weightier in sight of Almighty Allah and more significant in reward from the Almighty Allah. More attention should be given to doing good deeds this month than in other months. Do more struggle to offer prayer (Namaz), fasting, Quran Recitation and giving Alma to Allah, i.e., charity.

Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbaas(R.A.) also said that:

“Good deeds done during the four sacred months bring a greater reward.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer)

Hazrat Abu Hurayrah (R.A.) narrated that The Prophet (SAW) said:

“The best fasting after Ramadan is the month of Allah Muharram, and the best prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night.” Narrated by Muslim, 1163.

But it should be kept in mind that The Holy Prophet (SAW) does not fast for the Whole month of Muharram. It means that fasting In Muharram is Sunnah and encouraged by the Holy {rophet (PBUH), and it is encouraged to observe fasting in the month of Muharram.

Try to be more vigilant in doing good deeds and earn great rewards from Allah.

The Explanation of “… so wrong not yourselves therein”:

It was reported that Ibn ‘Abbaas said that this phrase (so wrong not yourselves therein) referred to all the months, then these four were singled out and made sacred, so that sin in these months is more serious and good deeds bring a greater reward.

Muharram—One of the four Sacred months:

Abu Bakr (R.A.) narrated: The Prophet (PBUH) said.

“(The division of time had turned to its original form, which was current when Allah created the Heavens and the Earths. The year is of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred: Three are in succession Dhul-Qa’ da, Dhul-Hajj and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab of (the tribe of) Mudar which comes between Jumadi-at-Thaniyah and Sha ban.” Muharram is so called because it is a sacred (Muharram) month and to confirm its sanctity.” [Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 54, Number 419]

Increase nawafil fasts during Muharram

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying:

The most excellent fast after Ramadan is God’s month al-Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night.” [Sahih Muslim, Book 006, Number 2611]

Which day is ‘Ashura?

Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“Our companions said: ‘Ashura’ is the tenth day of Muharram and Taasoo’aa’ is the ninth day. This is our opinion and that of the majority of scholars (al-Majmoo’)

So let’s try to do the good deeds at our best and make the most of this sacred month – Inshaa Allah!!

Make lots of prayers and remember us in your prayer too.

Fasting In Muharram

After observing the obligatory fast in Ramadan, if you observe Sunnah fast in Muharram, you can also double your reward.

Our beloved Holy Prophet (SAW) said:

“For fasting the day of ‘Aashooraa’, I hope that Allah will accept it as expiation for the year that went before.” (Muslim)

The fasting of Muharram is so much crucial that Hadrat Ibn ‘Abbaas RA reported that : 

“I never saw the Messenger of Allah (SAW) so keen to fast any day and give it priority over any other than this day, the day of ‘Aashooraa’.” (Bukhaari)

In another Hadeeth, Hazrat Ibn Abbas (R. A) reports:

“The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “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)

We pray to The Almighty Allah to make us followers of the Sunnah of The Holy Prophet (SAW). May He help us do what He loves and pleases Him. We ask Him to help us to remember Him and be thankful to Him, worship Him properly and accept our good deeds. May He make us of those who are pious and fear Him. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad and all his family and companions.

The historical significance of Ashura. Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas: When the Prophet (PBUH) came to Medina, he found (the Jews) fasting on the day of ‘Ashura’ (i.e. 10th of Muharram). They used to say:

“This is a great day on which Allah saved Moses and drowned the folk of Pharaoh. Moses observed the fast on this day as a sign of gratitude to Allah.” 

The Prophet (PBUH)said,

 “I am closer to Moses than they.” 

So, he (PBUH) observed the fast (on that day) and ordered the Muslims to fast on it.

[Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4,Book 55, Number 609].

“Moosa fasted on this day” – a report by Muslim adds: “… in thanksgiving to Allah, so we fast on this day.” According to a report narrated by al-Bukhaari: “… so we fast on this day to venerate it.”

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