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