Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Assalamu Alaikum.
Due to its relevance and importance, the following information is presented:
Significance of Muharram:
– Muharram is one of the four sacred months out of twelve. The other three sacred months are Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, and Rajab. These four months have been sacred since the creation of the universe, as mentioned by Allah in the Qur’an in Surah Taubah.
– Muharram is sacred not because the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was martyred in this month, but because Allah made it sacred along with three other months and informed us about it in the Qur’an.
Facts about Aashura – The 10th of Muharram:
– Fasting on the 10th of Muharram, known as Aashura, was obligatory for Muslims before the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory.
– Fasting on the 10th of Muharram expiates the sins of the previous year.
– On the 10th of Muharram, Prophet Musa (عليه السلام) and the Bani Israel were saved from Pharaoh by the parting of the sea.
– Prophet Musa (عليه السلام) used to fast on Aashura as a sign of gratitude to Allah, and the Jews also fasted on this day.
– Upon hearing about the fast of Musa (عليه السلام), Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) ordered the Muslims to fast on this day and he himself did the same.
– Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) decided to fast on the 9th of Muharram as well to differentiate from the Jews, but he passed away before he could do so.
Misconceptions about Aashura:
– It is not true that Prophet Adam (عليه السلام) was created on this day.
– It is not true that Allah accepted the repentance of Adam on this day.
– It is not true that Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام) was born on this day.
– It is not true that the Qiyamah (doomsday) will occur on this day.
– It is not true that taking a bath on the day of Aashura will prevent illness.
– Muharram is not an evil or unlucky month due to the battle of Karbala.
– It is not true that marriages should not be held in Muharram.
All of the above are misconceptions based on unauthentic traditions. This misconception can be easily removed by the fact that on the exact same day Hussain (رضي الله عنه) was martyred, hundreds of years ago, Prophet Musa (عليه السلام) and his followers were saved from Pharaoh. The day cannot be both lucky and unlucky at the same time.
Historical Facts about Muharram:
– Caliph Umar al-Farooq (رضي الله عنه) succumbed to his injuries and attained martyrdom on the 1st of Muharram, 23 AH (After Hijri).
– The grandson of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), Hussain ibn Ali (رضي الله عنه), along with most of his family members, was martyred in the desert of Karbala in Iraq on the 10th of Muharram.
Authentic Ibadah (Worship) of Muharram:
– Fasting on any day in Muharram.
– Fasting on the 10th of Muharram and combining it with the fast of the 9th of Muharram to distinguish from the Jews.
Innovations and Things to Avoid in Muharram:
– Preparing special dishes in Muharram.
– Holding lamentation and mourning ceremonies in the memory of the martyrdom of Sayyidina Husain (رضي الله عنه).
– Cursing the companions.
All these are deviant practices that go against the basic teachings of the Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم). He said, “He is not from our group who slaps his cheeks, tears his clothes, and cries in the manner of the people of jahiliyyah.” (Sahih Bukhari)
Sayyidina Hussain (رضي الله عنه), before his demise, advised his beloved sister Sayyidah Zainab (رضي الله عنها) not to mourn over his death in this manner. He said, “My dear sister! I swear upon you that in case I die, you shall not tear your clothes, nor scratch your face, nor curse anyone for me, or pray for your death.” (Al-Kamil, ibn Kathir vol. 4 pg. 24)
It is evident from this advice of Sayyidina Hussain (رضي الله عنه) that this type of mourning is condemned even by the blessed person for the memory of whom these mourning ceremonies are held. Every Muslim should avoid this practice and abide by the teachings of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and his beloved grandchild Sayyidina Hussain (رضي الله عنه).
