Articles > English > Reality of the month of Moharram Al-Haram and of Ashurah
by Justice (R) Maulana Mufti Taqi Usmani (Read this article in URDU)
These four months, according to the authentic traditions, are Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Moharram and Rajab. All the commentators of the Holy Quran are unanimous on this point, because the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, in his sermon on the occasion of his last Hajj, declared: "One year consists of twelve months, of which four are sanctified months, three of them are in sequence; Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Moharram, 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 that may be attributed to one of them in comparison to the other months. When Allah Almighty chooses a particular time for His special blessings, the same acquires sanctity out of His grace.
Thus, the sanctity of these four months was recognized right from the days of Sayyidina Ibrahim, alayhi salam. Since the Pagans of Makkah attributed themselves to Sayyidina Ibrahim, alayhi salam, 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 our Noble Prophet,
Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, the sanctity of these months was upheld
and the Holy Quran referred to them as the "sanctified months".
Moharram has certain other characteristics special to it, which are
specified below.
Fasting During the Month
The Noble Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, has said: 'The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are those of the month of Moharram."
Although the fasts of the month of
Moharram are not obligatory, yet one who fasts in these days out of
his own will is entitled to a great reward by Allah Almighty. The
Hadith cited above signifies that the fasts of the month of Moharram
are most rewardable ones among the Nafl or voluntary fasts.
The Hadith does not mean that the award promised for fasts of Moharram
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.
The Day of 'Ashurah'
Although Moharram is a sanctified month as a whole, yet, the 10th day of Moharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named 'Ashurah'. According to the Holy Companion Ibn 'Abbas, Radi-Allahu anhu. The Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, when migrated to Madinah, found that the Jews of Madinah used to fast on the 10th day of Moharram. They said that it was the day on which the Holy Prophet Musa (Moses), alayhis salam, and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously and the Pharaoh was drowned in its waters. On hearing this from the Jews, the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said, "We are more closely rotated to Musa, alayhi salam, than you," and directed the Muslims to fast on the day of 'Ashura'. (Abu Dawood)
It is also reported in a number of
authentic traditions that in the beginning, fasting on the day of
'Ashura' was obligatory for the Muslims. It was later that the fasts
of Ramadan were made obligatory and the fast on the day of 'Ashura'
was made optional. Sayyidina 'Aisha, Radi-Allahu anha, has said:
"When the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, came to Madinah,
he fasted on the day of 'Ashura' and directed the people to fast. 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 'Ashura' was abandoned. Whoever so desires should fast on it and
any other who so likes can avoid fasting on it." (Sunan Abu Dawud)
However, the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, used to fast on the day of 'Ashura' even after the fasting in Ramadan was made obligatory. Abdullah ibn Musa, Radi-Allahu anhu, reports that the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, preferred the fast of 'Ashura' on the fasts of other days and preferred the fasts of Ramadan on the fast of 'Ashura'. (Bukhari and Muslim)
In short, it is established through a
number of authentic ahadith that fasting on the day of 'Ashura' is
Sunnah of the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and makes
one entitled to a great reward.
According to another Hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of
'Ashura' should either be preceded or followed by another fast. It
means that one should fast two days: the 9th and 10th of Moharram or
the 10th and 11th. The reason of this additional fast as mentioned by
the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is that the Jews used
to fast on the day of 'Ashura alone, and the Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu
alayhi wa sallam, wanted to distinguish the Muslim way of fasting from
that of Jews. Therefore, he advised the Muslims to add another fast to
that of 'Ashura'.
Some traditions signify another feature of the day of 'Ashura. According to these traditions, one should be more generous to his family by providing more food to them on this day as compared to other days. These traditions are not very authentic according to the science of Hadith. Yet, some Scholars like Baihaqi and Ibn Hibban have accepted them as reliable.
What is mentioned above is all that is supported through authentic sources about Ashura.