Muharram & Aashura

THE SACRED MONTHS

From among the months of the Islaamic year, the “Ashurul Hurum” (Sacred Months) enjoy a greater significance. Hafiz Ibn Katheer (Radhiallahu-anhu) has quoted the saying of Hadhrat Qatadah (Radhiallahuanhu) in his famous tafseer. He writes:

Allah Ta’ala has indeed distinguished some of His Creation from among man and Jinn, He has chosen Messengers. He has granted special virtue to His remembrance (Zikr) over all speech and talk. From the land He has chosen the Masaajid. He distinguished the Day of Jumu’ah (Friday) from amongst the days and Laitatul Qadr (the Night of Power) from amongst the nights. Therefore respect what Allah Ta’aala has honoured for verily to honour things due to the virtue which Allah Ta’aala bestowed upon them is among the traits of the intelligent”. [Tafseer Ibn Khateer, vol 2 pg 369].

The sanctity of these four months was observed in the Shari’ah of all the Ambiyaa. Hence all preached to their followers that any act of obedience and virtue in these months earn an increased reward. Likewise any transgression or disobedience perpetrated in these months is more severe and the sin is multiplied. In the Shari’ah of various Ambiyaa, wars and fighting (even for just causes) too was forbidden. [Extracted from Ma Ariful Qur’aan, vol 4, pg 370].

THE MONTH OF MUHARRAM

The Rasul of Allah Ta’aala has described the fasts of this month as the best fasts after the month of Ramadaan. In a Hadith Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) is reported to have said:

“The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadaan is the fasting of Allah’s month of Muharram and the best of Salaats besides the Fardh (obligatory Salaat) is the Tahajjud Salaah (performed after midnight)”. [Sahih Muslim, vol 1, pg 368].

“He who fasts on the Day of Arafat, 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 a reward of thirty fasts for each fast (in the sacred month)“. [At Targheeb Wat Tarheeb, vol 2, pg 114].

FASTING ON THE DAY OF ASHURA (10TH OF MAHARRAM)

Ibn Abbaas (Radhiallahu-anhu) says: “I did not see the messenger of Allah Ta’aala anxiously await the fast of any day, which he gave preference to over other days, but this day (i.e. the Day of Ashura) and this month (i.e. the month of Ramadaan)” [Suhih Bukhari, vol 2, pg 268].

In various Ahaadith an explanation is given as to why Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) kept this fast and exhorted his companions to do the same. A narration of Sahih Muslim concisely explains the reason Ibn Abbaas (Radhiallahu-anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) came to Madinah and found the Jews fasting on the Day of Ashura. Rasulullah (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 Ta’aala saved Moosa and his people and drowned Firown and his nation”. Thus Moosa (Alaihis-Salaam) fasted on this day as a token of thanksgiving, therefore, we too fast on this day. The Rasul of Allah Ta’aala said:

“We are more worthy of Moosa (Alaihis-Salaam) and nearer to him than you”. Thereafter he fasted on this day and ordered his companions that a fast be kept on this day. [Suhih Muslim, vol 1, pg 359].

From the above Hadith it is clear that the fast of Ashura is linked to the salvation of Moosa (AlaihisSalaam). Besides this no other Hadith of this category (Sahih) explains the reason for Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) having kept a fast on this day.

FORGIVENESS OF A YEARS SINS

With regards to the blessings of this fast, it is recorded in a narration of Sahih Muslim that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was asked regarding (the virtue of) the fast of Ashura. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) answered:

“It is compensation for the sins of the past year, i.e. the sins of the year that has just gone by will be forgiven”.

[Sahih Muslim, vol 1, pg 368].

OPPOSING THE JEWS.

Any act which bears a resemblance with the Jews and the Christians is frowned upon in the Shari’ah. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:

“Should I live the following year, I will definitely fast on the ninth also”.

[Suhih Muslim, vol 1, pg 359].

Hence it is important that either the ninth or eleventh of Muharram should be joined in keeping fast with the Day of Ashura. To fast only on the day of Ashura is Makrooh (reprehensible). However, the “Karahat” (reprehendsibility) is not severe. It is stated in Durrul Makhtar:

It is `Makrooh Tahrimi” to fast on the days of Eid and `Makrooh Tizihi’ to fast on the Day of Muharram only”. [Durrul Makhtar, vol 2, pg 114].

SPENDING FREELY ON ONE’S FAMILY

Besides fasting on the day of Ashura, being generous to one’s family and spending on what is normally spent on food, etc. is a very meritorious act. Certain scholars are of the opinion that the Ahaadith in this regard are not authentic. Hence, there is no special virtue for increased generosity on the Day of Ashura. However, this is not correct. To substantiate this, Allama Sakhawi (Radhiallahu-anhu) writes:

“He who will be generous on his family on the Day of Ashura, Allah will be generous to him throughout the year”

This Hadith has been transmitted by Tabrani and Baihaqi in his book “As-Shaub” and Fadaail-ul-Awqaat and Abu Shaikh, all of them having narrated it from Ibn Masood. Tabrani and Baihaqi have also transmitted it from Abu Saeed (Radhiallahu-anhu). In his book “Ash-Shaub”, Baihaqi has also narrated this Hadith from Jaabir and Abu Hurairah. Baihaqi therefore says:

“The chains of narrators of these Ahaadith are`Daeef’ Weak, However, when they are considered collectively, the chain of narrators becomes strong (i.e. the Hadith becomes reliable)”.

Allamah Shaami too has indicated towards the authenticity of this Hadith. He says:

“The hadith of generosity upon ones family is an established and authentic (Sahih) narration as mentioned by Hafiz Suvuti in `Ad-Durar’”. [Shaami, vol 2, pg 155].

RECTIFICATION OF BELIEF

Many erroneous beliefs exist regarding the Day of Ashura. It is necessary that such beliefs be discarded. The day of Ashura is regarded by many as the day of mourning the martyrdom of Sayyidina Husein (Radhiallahu-anhu). To attribute the significance of Ashura to the martyrdom of Sayyidina Husein (Radhiallahu-anhu) is baseless. The significance of Ashura is from the time of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) whilst Sayyidina Husein (Radhiallahu-anhu) was martyred fifty years later than the demise of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Similarly, the significance of Ashura is attributed to many such occurrences and events, most of which are not proven by authentic sources.

In refutation of such fallacious beliefs and customs, Sheikh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dahlawu (Radhiallahuanhu) writes:

“Beware, do not participate in innovations of the Rawafidh. Do not involve yourself in mourning, lamenting and displaying grief. This is not the conduct of Believers or else the date of the demise of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) would have been more worthy of being observed (by mourning and lamenting)”.

Similarly, refrain from participating in the innovations of those who harbour hatred for the Ahlul-bait (the family of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam), or the innovations of the ignorant; those who oppose corruptions with corruption, innovations with innovations and evil with sin. Hence, they display great joy and happiness. They regard this day as an occasion of merrymaking and adornment and indulgence in Khidaab, applying surmah, wearing new clothes, sending lavishly and cooking various foods which are not generally prepared. All these actions are regarding as Sunnah by these ignorant people whereas the true Sunnah is to shun these practices, since no authentic narrations sanctioning such actions has been recorded. [Ma thabata bis Sunnah, pg 254].