The Sacred Month of Moharram
(Significance & Virtues)
(Dr. Hamid Ali
Aleemi)
The meaning of
the word "Moharram":
It is an Arabic word, which means "Forbidden" & "Sacred".
Even before Islam, this month was always known as a sacred month in
which all unlawful acts were forbidden, prominently the shedding of blood.
The Month of Moharram is a blessed and important month. It is the first
month of the Hijri Calendar (Lunar Calendar) and is one of the four sacred
months concerning which Allah says in the Holy Quran:
“Undoubtedly,
the number of months with Allah is twelve in the Book of Allah since the day He
made the Heavens and Earth, four of them are sacred. That is the right
religion, then wrong not yourselves in these months….” [Al-Tawbah 9: 36]
Abu Bakrah (رضي
الله عنه) reported that the Holy Prophet Mohammad said: “The year is twelve months of which four
are sacred, the three consecutive months of Zul-Qa’dah, Zu’l-Hijjah and Moharram,
and Rajab Mudar, which comes between Jumaada and Sha’baan.”
[Sahih Bukhari: 2958].
Events of Moharram:
Prior to Islam & During Islam:
* Hazrat Adam (عليه
السلام)
was born and had entered
* Hazrat Ayyub (عليه
السلام)
was cured from his illness.
* A way was made in the sea for Bani
Israel.
* Hazrat Suleman (Solomon) (عليه
السلام)
was ordained King.
* The oceans and Heavens were
created. [Tanbihul-Gaafileen]
* The nation of Hazrat Younus (عليه
السلام)
was forgiven. [Kanzul
Ummal: 8: 24256]
* Hazrat Hussain (رضي
الله عنه) was martyred in this month.
* The Prophet Muhammed 
went
to defeat Bani Muhaarin and Bani Tha'laba (Tribes of Bani Gatfan) in the year 4 A.H, etc.
Blessing of Moharram:
There are
many bounties of this Sacred Month, especially the 10th of Moharram,
called "Aashurah"; some of them are as following:
(1) One
should be generous on his or her family and dependants and spend more on them
than what is normally spent, because Rasulullah
said: "One who generously spends
on his family on the day of Aashurah, Allah will increase (his provision) for
the whole year."
[Baihaqi, Shubul Iman: 3631].
(2) Fasting:
Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) said: “The Messenger of Allah said: "The best of fasting after Ramadan
is fasting Allah’s month of Moharram." [Sahih Muslim:
1982].
In another Hadith, Hazrat Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) reports that the Messenger of Allah said: "The one, who keeps a fast in the
month of Moharram will receive the reward of thirty fasts for each fast (in
this sacred month)." [Tabrani: 3:
960, Kanzul Ummal: 8: 24236].
The Day of Aashurah (10th
Moharram):
Although the
month of Moharram is a sacred month as a whole, the 10th of Moharram
is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named "Aashurah". It is one of the most important and blessed
days of Allah in the Islamic Calendar.
According to the Holy companion, Hazrat Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما), when the Holy
Prophet migrated
to Madinah, he found that the Jews of Madina used to fast on the 10th
day of Moharram. They said that it was the day on which the Holy Prophet Moosa (عليه السلام) and his
followers crossed the said, “We are more closely related to Moosa
than you.” So the Prophet directed the Muslims to fast on the day of Aashurah.
[Abu Dawood: 2088]
According to
another Hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of Aashurah should be either
preceeded or suceded by an additional fast, as The Holy Prophet said:
"Observe the fast of Aashurah and oppose the Jews, fast a day before it or
a day after."
[Baihaqi, Shubul Iman: 3630]
The Reward for
the Fasting on the day of Aashurah:
Hazrat Abu Qatadah (رضي الله عنه)
narrated that Rasulullah said: “I have strong hope that Allah will forgive the
previous year’s sins for fasting on the day of Aashurah.” [Sunun Tirmizi: 1:151]. The sins referred to here are minor sins (sagherah). Taubah is required to secure forgiveness for major sins
(kaberah).
It means
that one should fast two days: the 9th and 10th of Moharram
or the 10th and 11th. The reason of this additional fast
as mentioned by the Holy Prophet is that the Jews used to fast on the day of Aashurah
alone, and the Holy Prophet wanted to distinguish the Islmaic-way of
fasting from that of the Jews. Therefore, he advised the Muslims to add another
fast to the day of Aashurah.
Hence, it is
important to either fast on the 9th and the 10th or the 10th
and the 11th of Moharram. To fast only on the day of Aashurah is
Makrooh as stated by Allamah Ibn Aabideen Shaami in his book "Fatawa
Shami". (Fatawa Shami: 2:418-419).
Did You Know?
The
significance of the Day of Aashurah is from the time of our Holy Prophet
Muhammad, but even before him as mentioned
earlier. Thus, to attribute the significance of Aashurah to the martyrdom of
Hazrat Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) only is
incorrect. Therefore, the host of
baseless customs with regard to his martyrdom must be discarded.
The martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه)
was indeed a
great tragedy but Islam is not a religion of perpetual mourning. Having love
for Hazrat Imam Hussain (رضي الله عنه) does not necessarily mean that his
blessed name should be lamented upon especially when he gained the status of a
Shaheed (Martyr), but instead we should convey Thawaab (reward) to him and
donate on his behalf for the pleasure of Allah Almighy, and especially intend
firmly to follow his foot steps, that how he sacrificed his wealth, family
members and even his life for the Cause of Islam.
Lamenting,
mourning, displaying grief and beating heads are forbidden in Islam. To carry
out these acts especially on this Day of Aashurah is a Bid'ah (bad
innovation in Islam).
To take part in them or to look at them with respect is not permissible,
as mentioned with detail in "Fatawa Razaviya". Dirges (songs of
mourning) should be abstained from as they have been clearly prohibited in
Islam. Some people think that it is not good to marry in the month of Moharram.
This is also a baseless conception.
What is the status of Yazid bin
Muawiyay in Scholars Eye?
As for as
the matter of Yazid bin Muawiyah is concerned, Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Hanafi has mentioned in
his "Fatawa" that We -Hanafi School of thought- are of the pinion
that We neither regard him as a Kafir (nonbeliever) nor we accurse him but we
remain silent about him. Imam Ahmed Raza has quoted three different opinions
about him in his Fatawa vol. 14, page 682, they are as following:
1. Imam
Ghazali and those who follow his way hold this opinion that "He is a
Muslim even if he has committed many major sins".
2. Imam Ahmed
bin Hanbal and others said that "He is Kafir (unbeliever).
3. Imam Abu
Hanifa and almost whole Hanafi School of thought are of the opinion that it is
better to remain silent in him.
Let us
observe this great day according to the way of Rasulullah and
the Sahabah (رضي
الله عنهم أجمعين), and refrain
from all innovations which deprive us of the blessings from Almighty Allah.
May Allah
guide us all upon the Straight Path and save us from every act, which brings
His displeasure. Ameen…..!
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