*Muharram* - The Beginning of the Islamic New Year

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Mishti

@.LilGreenRobot.

Sparkler

+ 5

Posted: 8 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.

At the beginning of each Islamic lunar calendar, in various parts of the Muslim world the first ten days are observed as a commemoration of a most horrific and tragic event. In places like Iran and Iraq, Muslims stage passion plays, in India and Pakistan, the community organizes huge processions full with tazias, (replicas of the tomb of Hussain). Shia Muslims relive the story of the first ten days of Muharram that took place in the first century of Islam when the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, Imam Hussain challenged the authority of Yezid, the Umayyad ruler. He established the principle that sometimes the goals of life become more important than life itself.

Imam Hussain stood for the Quranic principle of justice and fairness. Imam Hussain spoke on behalf of those who were marginalized by a class of rulers who were laying the foundation of dynastic rules in Islam. Imam Hussain refused to surrender to the forces of oppression knowing fully well that he could perish in the process.

It is a month of serious reflections for the Muslim world. While Shia Muslims observe the first ten days as public mourning, the Sunni Muslims evade any overt display of happiness such as weddings etc. and focus on the fasting of the 10th day of Muharram in memory of Prophet Moses exodus from Egypt.

Imam Hussain is the grandson of the Prophet who lived his life the way he watched his grandfather live it. He embodied the qualities of the prophet in his character and he remained deeply committed to the Quranic values of justice and equality. His struggle was for fairness and Islamic values for common men and women. When the power was usurped by the Ummayad rulers and the people's right to elect their Caliph was turned into a dynastic rule with little regard for human life and human dignity, freedom and justice, Imam Hussain mobilized first his family then his supporters to challenge the authority of Yezid, the Umayyad ruler at that time. He was betrayed by many of his supporters who withdrew at the last minute, but his family stood by him in Karbala, modern day province of Iraq, and faced the brutal might of a well organized, well equipped and well trained army.

The outcome was known from the beginning. Imam Hussain was aware of the imbalance in power. He had the choice to make a tactical withdrawal. He had the choice of accepting the rule of Umayyad's and give legitimacy to their claim. He had the choice to accept the practices of the court in Damascus. Yet he chose to stand his ground knowing fully well that he and his followers may not survive at the end of the conflict. He did not run away. He knew why he was there and why he had challenged the authority. He fought bravely and left the world with violent wounds as a testimony of his belief that sometimes in the life of nations come moments when liberty and justice become more important than the life itself.

Sunni Muslims Observance of AshuraBased 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 ObservanceShia 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 ||

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Sutapa

@Sutapasima

Moderator

+ 27

Posted: 8 years ago

Thanks ... Great to know about this festival from.authentic unbiased source ...

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Zainab Hanjra

@Zaini_Hanjra

Explorer

Posted: 8 years ago

Thank you so much!

It enhanced my knowledge more about Muharram!

And most importantly thius piece of information was authentic, credible and unbiased

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fatssrilanka

@fatssrilanka

Inactive

+ 2

Posted: 8 years ago

Agree with each and every word you have mentioned. When Imam Husain set His feet at Karbala He knew the outcome. He knew He will lose all His family members but He chose to go ahead. He never for once thought of leaving midway. He lost His Brother Abbas who went to get water in the near by lake. The enemies cut His hands so that He couldn't take water for the children. Imam Husain lost His 18 year old son and the enemies didn't even let go His 6 month old child. They were fools to think that if they kill the entire family Islam won't spread. But, little did they know was Imam Husain sacrificed His life so that Islam would spread far and wide. Though He was all alone on the day of Ashura He fought with bravery. He will always live in our hearts.

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awida

@awida

Trailblazer

+ 8

Posted: 8 years ago

Thanks a lot for this thread.

Here is dua for the beginning of Islamic year:

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ipkknd_ipkknd

@ipkknd_ipkknd

Beginner

Posted: 8 years ago

Masha Allah..

Jazakallah Khair for posting this.

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zoha

@zoha7865

Navigator

Posted: 8 years ago

Originally posted by: awida
Thanks a lot for this thread.
Here is dua for the beginning of Islamic year:

thanks😊

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zoha

@zoha7865

Navigator

Posted: 8 years ago

Originally posted by: fatssrilanka
Agree with each and every word you have mentioned. When Imam Husain set His feet at Karbala He knew the outcome. He knew He will lose all His family members but He chose to go ahead. He never for once thought of leaving midway. He lost His Brother Abbas who went to get water in the near by lake. The enemies cut His hands so that He couldn't take water for the children. Imam Husain lost His 18 year old son and the enemies didn't even let go His 6 month old child. They were fools to think that if they kill the entire family Islam won't spread. But, little did they know was Imam Husain sacrificed His life so that Islam would spread far and wide. Though He was all alone on the day of Ashura He fought with bravery. He will always live in our hearts.

yes.the most tough times were of bibi zainab A.S and other bibis.imam hussain saved islam.it is due to him islam has survived due to his sacrifice...

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ApniShakalDekh

@ApniShakalDekh

Voyager

Posted: 8 years ago

very nice and informative post. Jazak Allah Khair.

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fatssrilanka

@fatssrilanka

Inactive

+ 2

Posted: 8 years ago

#10

Originally posted by: zoha7865

yes.the most tough times were of bibi zainab A.S and other bibis.imam hussain saved islam.it is due to him islam has survived due to his sacrifice...

Yes, true. She was the only witness who saw Her Brother being martyred by yezid.