Significance of Muharram&Ashura(10th Muharam)

MUHARRAM is the first month of the Islamic calendar. Muharram means "Forbidden." Even before Islam, this month was always known as a sacred month in which all unlawful acts were forbidden, prominently the shedding of blood. It is one of the four sanctified months about which Allah said in Surah Taubah:

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, so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous [who fear Him]. (Surha Taubah Verse 36)

Narrated by Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet said. "(The division of time has turned to its original form which was current when Allah created the Heavens and the Earths. The year is of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred: Three are in succession Dhul-Qa' da, Dhul-Hijja and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab of (the tribe of) Mudar which comes between Jumadi-ath-Thaniyah and Sha ban." (Bukhari Vol 4, Book 54 Hadeeth 419)

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Quraish used to fast on the day of 'Ashura in the pre-Islamic days and the Messenger ot Allah (may peace be upon him) also observed it. When he migrated to Medina, he himself observed this fast and commanded (others) to observe it. But when fasting during the month of Ramadan was made obligatory he said: He who wishes to observe this fast may do so, and he who wishes to abandon it may do so. (Muslim Book 6, Hadeeth 2499)

Ibn'Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) arrived in Medina and found the Jews observing fast on the day of 'Ashura. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said to them: What is the (significance) of this day that you observe fast on it? They said: It is the day of great (significance) when Allah delivered Moses and his people, and drowned the Pharaoh and his people, and Moses observed fast out of gratitude and we also observe it. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: We have more right, and we have a closer connection with Moses than you have; so Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) observed fast (on the day of 'Ashura), and gave orders that it should be observed. (Muslim Book 6, Hadeeth 2520)

Abdullah b 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) had said: If I live till the next (year), I would definitely observe fast on the 9th, and the narration transmitted by Abu Bakr is:" He meant the day of Ashura." (Muslim Book 6, Hadeeth 2529)

Exp: One who keeps fast at ASHURA must fast either the day before too or the day after it making it couple of fasts as an isolated fast is not appreciable in Islam at ASHURA. i.e fast for 9^th & 10^th Moharram or 10^th & 11^th Moharram)

Abu Qatadah (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said, "I hope from Allah that the fast of the day of Ashura will atone for (the sins of) the past year." (Tirmadhi Hadith 752)

Ayshah (Allah be pleased with her) said that the Quraysh used to fast on the day of Ashura in the Days of Jahiliyah. And Allah's Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him) also used to fast. When he came to Madinah, he used to fast and he commanded the people to fast. But when the fasts of Ramadan were prescribed, they became FARDH and the Ashura was given up. So he who wished, fasted (on that day) and he who wished, did not (fast). [Ahmed 26127, Bukhari 4502, Muslim 1125, Ibn e Majah 1733, Abu Dawud 2442 Tirmadhi Hadith 753]

Abu Hurayrah (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him) as saying. "The most excellent fast after the fasts of the month of Ramadan is in the month of Allah, Muharram." [Ahmed 8542, Muslim 1163, Abu Dawud 2429, Nasai 1609, Ibn e Majah 1742, Tirmadhi 740)]

This was the day when the ship of NOAH (Peace be upon him) landed somewhere in the present-day Iraq or Turkey; this was the day when IBRAHIM (peace be upon him) was saved from the fire in which he was thrown by Nimrod; this was the day when MUSA (peace be upon him) with the BANI-ISRAEL crossed the river that had miraculously parted for them and that drowned Pharaoh and his men; this was the day when EESA (Peace be upon him) (Jesuc Christ) was raised to heaven unharmed alive (as per Quran statement); SALAM be upon all Messengers of Allah. However, except for the matter related to MUSA (peace be upon him) other matters have no clear conformation anywhere in Ahadith. HUSSAIN (Allah be pleased with him) and many of his family members were assassinated at Karbala on this day of Muharram 61 AH.

PS. I made this topic just for awareness as some people consider it as a month of mourning only & doesn't know about the original importance of this month and the day of Ashura (10th Muharram).

Most of us know the story behind man's creation - the one that began when Allah created Adam. That story is narrated in detail in the Quran and also mentions the incidents that followed man's beginning. After Adam was created, Allah told Iblees (one from the Jinns) to prostrate to Adam but Iblees refused to follow Allah's orders. That was also the beginning of evil when Iblees took on the role of Satan and started misguiding men and women.

Reflecting on that event is important to understand the reality about Shaitaan (Satan) and how Satan is active in our lives. The article below provides that background and how Satan pushes us toward temptation as well as plays with our reasoning abilities to make us argue against the truth and the commandments of Allah.

What's notable is that despite actively engaged in misguiding us, on the Day of Judgment, Satan will state the truth about what he really believed all along. Allah tells us in the Quran (Suarh Ibraheem) about what Satan will say (to mankind) on the Day of Judgment.

"And Shaitan (Satan) will say when the matter has been decided: 'Verily, Allah promised you a promise of truth. And I too promised you, but I betrayed you. I had no authority over you except that I called you, and you responded to me. So blame me not, but blame yourselves. I cannot help you, nor can you help me. I deny your former act in associating me (Satan) as a partner with Allah (by obeying me in the life of the world). Verily, there is a painful torment for the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers)'" (Surah Ibraheem: Verse 22)

For those of us who fall into Satan's trap often, this is something to ponder about. Even Satan knows that what Allah has promised us is the truth. Instead, Satan will put the blame on men and women to have followed him.

Read the article below for more on this and to learn some of the ways that can prevent us from falling in Satan's trap