::*Muharram: The Islamic New Year*::

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Mishti

@.LilGreenRobot.

IF-Sizzlerz

+ 5

Posted: 7 years ago

Muharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar Hijrah Calendar. It is one of the four sanctified months about which the Holy Quran says:

"The number of the months according to Allah is twelve months (mentioned) in the Book of Allah on the day in which He created heavens and the earth. Among these (twelve months) there are four sanctified".

These four months, according to the authentic traditions are the months of Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. All the commentators of the Holy Quran are unanimous on this point, because the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in his sermon on the occasion of his last Hajj, has declared:

"One year consists of twelve months, of which four are sanctified months, three of them are in sequence; Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and the fourth is Rajab."

The specific mention of these four months does not mean that any other month has no sanctity, because the month of Ramadan is admittedly the most sanctified month in the year. But these four months were specifically termed as sanctified months for the simple reason that their sanctity was accepted even by the pagans of Makkah.

In fact, every month, out of the twelve, is originally equal to the other, and there is no inherent sanctity, which may be attributed to one of them in comparison to other months. When Allah Almighty chooses a particular time for His special blessings, then it acquires sanctity out of His grace. Thus, the sanctity of these four months was recognized right from the days of Sayyidina Ibrahim. Since the Pagans of Makkah attributed themselves to Sayyidina Ibrahim they observed the sanctity of these four months and despite their frequent tribal battles, they held it unlawful to fight in these months.

In the Shariah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) the sanctity of these months was upheld and the Holy Quran referred to them as the "sanctified months".

The month of Muharram has certain other characteristics peculiar to it, which are specified below.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) has said:

"The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are those of the month of Muharram."

Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, yet, the one who fasts in these days out of his own will and choice is entitled to a great reward by Allah Almighty. The Hadith cited above signifies that the fasts of the month of Muharram are most reward-able ones among the Nafl fasts i.e. the fasts one observes out of his own choice without being obligatory on him.

The Hadith does not mean that the award promised for fasts of Muharram can be achieved only by fasting for the whole month. On the contrary, each fast during this month has merit. Therefore, one should avail of this opportunity as much as he can.

Although the month of Muharram is a sanctified month as a whole, yet, the 10th day of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named Ashurah. According to the Holy companion Ibn Abbas; the Holy Prophet (PBUH), when migrated to Madinah, found that the Jews of Madinah used to fast on the 10th day of Muharram. They said that it was the day on which the Holy Prophet Musa (Moses) and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously and the Pharaoh was drowned in its water.

On hearing this from the Jews, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, "We are more closely related to Musa (Moses) than you" and directed the Muslims to fast on the day of Ashurah (Abu Dawood). It is also reported in a number of authentic traditions that in the beginning, fasting on the day of Ashurah was obligatory for the Muslims. It was later that the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory and the fast on the day of Ashurah was made optional.

Sayyidah Aishah has said:

"When the Holy Prophet (PBUH) came to Madinah, he fasted on the day of Ashurahh and directed the people to fast it. But when the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory, the obligation of fasting was confined to Ramadan and the obligatory nature of the fast of Ashurah was abandoned. One can fast on this day, if he so wills, or can avoid fasting, if he so wills."

However, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) used to fast on the day of Ashurah even after the fasting in Ramadan was made obligatory.

Abdullah Ibn Masud reports that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) preferred the fast of Ashurah to the fast of other days and preferred the fast of Ramadhan to the fast of Ashurah (Bukhari and Muslim). In short, it is established through a number of authentic hadith that fasting on the day of Ashurah is Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and makes one entitled to a great reward.

According to another Hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of Ashurah should either be prefixed or suffixed by another fast. It means that one should fast two days: the 9th an 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th of it. The reason of this additional fast as mentioned by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is that the Jews used to fast on the day of Ashurah alone, and the Holy Prophet (PBUH) wanted to distinguish the Islamic-way of fasting from that of Jews. Therefore, he advised the Muslims to add another fast to that of Ashurah.

Sunni Muslims Observance of Ashura

Based on the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Sunni Muslims celebrate Ashura as the day when Prophet Moses (Moosa) fasted on that day because Allah saved the Israelites from their enemy in Egypt. One of the many Hadith that attests to that is in Bukhari that states:

Narrated by al-Bukhari (1865) from Ibn Abbaas, who said: The Prophet (PBUH) came to Madinah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of Ashoora. He (the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, "What is this?" They said, "This is a good day, this is the day when Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy and Moosa fasted on this day." He (the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)) said, "We are closer to Moosa (Prophet Moses) than you."

So Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) fasted on this day in Muharram and told the people to fast. There are many other versions of this Hadith in the books of "Muslim" and "Bukhari".

According to a version narrated by Muslim,

"This is a great day when Allah saved Moosa (Moses) and his people and drowned Pharaoh and his people."

Sunni Muslims celebrate Ashura by fasting on that day. Usually, Sunni Muslims are recommended to fast on the 9th and 10th of Muharram.

Al-Shafa'i and his companions, Ahmad, Ishaaq and others said: It is recommended to fast both the ninth and the tenth, because the Prophet (PBUH) fasted the tenth and intended to fast the ninth. Based on this, there are different ways of fasting Ashoora', the least of which is to fast the tenth only, but it is better to fast the ninth as well. The more one fasts in Muharram, the better. Other Hadith on the subject are the following:

"The Prophet (PBUH) observed the fast on Ashura (the 10th of Muharram), and ordered (Muslims) to fast on that day. (Agreed upon Hadith i.e. Bukhari & Muslim).

Narrated by Abi Katada:

The Prophet (PBUH) was asked about fasting on Ashura (the 10th of Muharram), He (PBUH) said: "it expiates the previous year (for sins)." (Sahih Muslim)

It was proven from the Prophet (PBUH) that the best fasting after Ramadan is fasting in the month of Muharram. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said:

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "The best fasting after Ramadan is the month of Allah, Muharram, and the best prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night." Narrated by Muslim, 1163.

Shia Muslims Observance

Shia Muslims' observance of Ashura is different altogether. They observe Ashura as the day of martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at the Battle of Karbala. Shia Muslims, therefore, consider this a day of sorrow and observe it as such by refraining from music, listening to sorrowful poetic recitations, wearing mourning attire, and refraining from all joyous events (e.g. weddings) that in anyway distract them from the sorrowful remembrance of that day.

-RD- || 18shabbo || caffeineaddict.

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Rifah (AS_Rifi)

@HIDEnSEEK06

IF-Stunnerz

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

Muharram ka din Mubarak ho. May Allah bless us all. Ameen.

Nice thread CC team. 👏

Thanks 4 this😊

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Sanober

@sanober.

IF-Achieverz

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

happy new year everyone!

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adeela nasreen

@adeela

IF-Rockerz

+ 2

Posted: 7 years ago

Happy Islamic new year Muharram

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zineb

@Olicity2124

Goldie

+ 3

Posted: 7 years ago

Muharam ka din Mubarak hoo

May ALLAH bless us all.

May this new year be filled with peace, happiness and joy for everyone.

Ameen.

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798864

Inactive

Posted: 7 years ago

Muharaam Mubarak !

Insha Allah may this year bring peace to everyone and May

Allah (SWT) bless us all

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Misanthropist

@Sanskruthi

IF-Sizzlerz

+ 7

Posted: 7 years ago

Happy Muharram, may God bless us with peace and harmony :-)

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Maria

@x.titli.x

IF-Sizzlerz

+ 11

Posted: 7 years ago

Such a beautiful thread! love the tags and everything!

Muharram Mubarak to all! Happy New Year! 🤗

We're facing a lot of atrocities in this world May Allah SWT erase the pain of millions of innocents who're suffering each second of the day! Ameen 😭❤️ May love wins over hate Ameen!

Stay blessed! Have a wonderful year ahead filled with love peace and happiness ! Ameen 🤗