The word
"Muharram" means "Forbidden." Even before Islam, this month was
always known as a scared month (al ashhur-al-hurum) in which all unlawful
acts were forbidden, prominently the shedding of blood.Muharram
can also mean
“sacred”,concerning which it is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an:
“Indeed, the
number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of
Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four
are sacred. That is the correct religion [i.e., way], so do not wrong
yourselves during them …” [At-Tawbah 9:36]
“The year
consists of twelve months, of which four are sacred; the three consecutive
months of Dhu’l-Qi’dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab, which comes
between Jumaada and Sha’baan.”
(Bukhari).
“…so do not wrong
yourselves during them…” Means; do not wrong yourselves during these
sacred months, because committing sins during these months is worse than
during the other months. It was reported that Ibn ‘Abbaas, (RA) said that
this phrase initially 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.
Abu
Qataadah said concerning this has chosen certain ones of His
creation. He has chosen from among the angels messengers and from among
mankind messengers. He chose from among speech the remembrance of Him, or
dhikr. He chose from among the earth the mosques, from among the months
Ramadan and the sacred months, from among the days Friday and from among
the nights Laylat al-Qadr, phrase that wrongdoing during the sacred months
is more serious and more sinful than wrongdoing at any other time.
Wrongdoing at any time is a serious matter, but Allah (SWT) gives more
weight to whichever of His commands He will. Allah (SWT) so venerate that
which Allah (SWT) has told us to venerate. People of understanding and
wisdom venerate the things that Allah (SWT) has told us to venerate.
(Summarized from the Tafseer of Ibn Katheer, (RA) Tafseer of Al-Tawbah,
aayah 9:36).
VIRTUES
Of the four sacred months, this month has been
blessed with great reward and specific virtues.Abu Hurayrah, (RA) narrated
that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
“The best of
fasting after Ramadan is fasting during Allah’s (SWT) month of
Muharram.”
(Muslim)
In another hadith, Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) is reported to
have said that 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.” (Tabraani)
10th MUHARRAM
The tenth day of this sacred month is known as
Aashura and is considered to be one of the most important and blessed days
of Allah in the Islamic calendar.
The word "Aashura" is derived
from Ashara, which means ten. The observation of this day dates back to
Prophet Moosa (AS). In a Hadith related by Ibn Abbas (RA) when the
Messenger of Allah (SAW) came to Madina, he found the Jews fasting on the
day of Aashura. He inquired why they were doing so. They replied that it
was a good day, the day on which Allah delivered Prophet Moosa (AS) and
the children of Israel from Pharaoh. As gratitude Moosa (AS) fasted that
day. The Holy Prophet (SAW) responded “I have more right to Moosa than
you.” He fasted the day and commanded the believers to fast. [Bukhari and
Muslim]. The idea underlying this event is to stress the affinity amongst
the messengers of Allah and to show that religious devotion is a constant
flow from one generation to another. The Prophet (SAW) came not to
abrogate all the earlier religious practices but to codify and preserve
them for all times to come in ideal forms.
In a hadith
it is reported by Aisha (RA) that the Holy Prophet (SAW)
ordered:
“ the observance
of the fast of Aashura. However, when the fast of Ramadan became
compulsory, then whosoever wished, kept this fast and whosoever desired
did not observe this fast.” (Bukhari)
Abu Qataada
(RA) has related that the Prophet (SAW) has reported to have
said:
“It is my
thought that by fasting on the 10th of Muharram Allah (SWT) will pardon
the sins of the past year”. (Tirmidhi)
Ibn Abbas related when
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) observed the day of Aashura and commanded his
followers to observe it, they asked him “O Messenger of Allah (SAW) this
is the day the Jews, and Christians respect and honor.” The Prophet (SAW)
promised them that “Next year Allah willing, we shall fast the 9th of the month, along with the 10th.” By the following Muharram, the Prophet
(SAW) had already passed away.It is therefore, recommended that one observes the fast of the 9th or 11th of
Muharram together with that of the 10th to
safeguard this deed from resemblance with the non-Muslims who fast only on
the 10th of the month. To fast only on the
day of Aashura is Makrooh. Ibn Abbas (RA) stated:
“When Rasulullah
(SAW) observed the fast of the day of Aashura and ordered (his Companions)
to fast, they said: `O Rasulullah! It is a day revered (glorified) by the
Jews and Christians.’ Thereupon Rasulullah said: “The
coming year, if Allah wills (I remain alive), I will for surely fast on
the ninth (also).” (Muslim)
The
Holy Prophet (SAW) said:
“Observe the
fast of Aashura and oppose the Jews.Fast a day before it or a day
after.” (Baihaqi)
Although it
is sunnah to fast on the day if Aashura and on one further day, performing
a sacrifice on the 10th of the month is an
innovation.
One should be
generous to one’s family and dependants and spend more on them than what
is normally spent.
The Holy Prophet (SAW) said:
“One who
generously spends on his family on the day of Aashura, Allah will increase
(his provision) for the whole year.” (Baihaqi)
SIGNIFICANT
EVENTS
Pre- Islamic
times
Prophet Adam (AS) was born
and entered the Paradise on 10th of
Muharram
Prophet Ayyub (AS) was
cured from his illness
A way was made in the sea
for Bani Israel
Prophet Suleman (AS) was
ordained King
The oceans and heavens were
created (Tanbihul-Gaafileen)
During Islam
Hadhrat Hussain (RA) was martyred during this
month
Shaykhain Tirmizi &
Haakim has narrated from Anas (RA) that the following verse "Allah may forgive thee of thy sins that which is
past and that which is to come . . ." (Al-Fath 48:2) was revealed on the 10th of Muharram
The Prophet
Muhammed (SAW) defeated Bani Muhaarin and Bani Tha'laba (Tribes of
Bani Gatfan) in the year 4 AH
2 - Safar
No specific
modes of worship or special rules are set by the Shari’ah to observe this
month. >
Definition
The word Safar
means "whistling of the wind". As most of the months were named according
to weather conditions, at the time when this name was assigned it was
probably a windy time of the year. However, being a lunar calendar, the
months shift about 11 days every year so, the seasons do not necessarily
correspond to the name of the month anymore.
Misconception
This time of the
year was considered to be cursed as many catastrophes and calamities took
place. However this belief has been proven to be false and totally
without foundation and is further confirmed by the following hadith as
reported by Jaabir (RA):
"I have heard the Prophet (SAW) saying, the
descending of illness and evilsuperstition
befalling in the month of Safar is untrue."(Muslim)
Performing a sacrifice on the 6th day of this month is an
innovation.
SIGNIFICANT
EVENTS
1. The Battle of Abwaa took
place on 12th of Safar in the
year 2 AH
2. The Battle of Khaibar took
place in the year 7 AH
3. Ali (RA) married the
Prophet’s (SAW) daughter Fatima (RA) in the latter days of Safar 2 AH
4. Khubaib Ibn Adey (RA) was
martyred in Safar in the year 4 AH in Makkah
5. Zaid Ibn Dathina
(RA) was martyred in this month in the year 4 AH in Makkah
3 - Rabee' al-Awwal
DEFINITION
This is
the first month of spring.
This is the
most significant month in Islamic history, marking not only the birth of
The Holy Prophet (SAW) but also his passing from this world 63 years
later, both
events occurring on the 12th day of the
month. Had there been room in Islamic teachings for the celebration of
birthdays and anniversaries, these events would have undoubtedly been
observed. Therefore, celebrations such as Eid Miaad an-Nabi (celebrating
the birthday of the Holy Prophet (SAW)) is pure innovation. Rabee’
al-Awwal is also the month in which The Holy
Prophet (SAW) migrated from Makkah to Madina.
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
1. The Holy Prophet (SAW)
was born in this month as mercy for all and departed from this world 63
years later
2. The Holy
Prophet (SAW) migrated from Makkah to Madina
3. Battle of Buwaat took place
in the year 2 AH
4. Battle of Saf'vaan took place
in the year 2 AH
5. Abu Bakr's (RA) daughter,
Asma (RA) was born 6 years before Prophecy
6. Ruqayyah (RA) the daughter of
the beloved Prophet (SAW) was born 7 years before Prophecy
7. Abu Bakr (RA) was appointed
Caliph
8. Umm Kuithum was married in
this month to the third Caliph Uthman (RA) in 3 AH
9. Zainab (RA), the wife of the
Holy Prophet (SAW) passed away in the year 4 AH
10. Prophet (SAW) passed away in the year 10 AH
4 - Rabee' ath-Thaanee /
al-Aakhir
DEFINITION
The second
month of spring.
As with Rabee’ al-Awwal,
no special rules or customs are associated with this
month.
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
1. The Battle of Furu' from
Buhraan took place in 3 AH
2. The Battle of Sariyyah
in which
the Holy Prophet (SAW) did not take part in, instead he consigned one
of his Companions, Sariyyah Ali Ibn Abi Talib in the 9th Hijri as the
colonel
DEATHS
Khwaja Nizamuddin departed from this life on the 18th
of Rabi-ul-Akhir, 725 AH
Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilanee departed from this life at
the age of 90, on the 11th of Rabi-ul-akhir, 561 AH
