We all know that Muharram is one of the sacred months, which Allah, the Sublime said about them in His Holy Book:
“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.” (At-Taubah 9:36).
The
Arabs used to consider these months sacred during the time of
Jahiliyyah, except for a group of them called Al-Basl, who held eight
months of the year to be sacred as way of exaggeration in religion.
Muharram is an honorable month of the Islamic year, and it is called so
(i.e. forbidden) because the fighting was forbidden therein and Allah
(SWT) forbade us from injustice in them as a kind honor to them,
although injustice is extremely forbidden in all times. Therefore, we
must adhere to the commandments of Allah (SWT) and His Messen
ger (PBUH)
and not to commit sins in this month, due to its sanctity and
sacredness.
The
specific mention of these months does not deny or reject the sanctity
of remaining months, days and nights. The month of Ramadan is undeniably
sacred and sanctified month in the Islamic year. The day of Arafah has
its own honor and nobility. Lailat-ul-Qadar (the Night of Decree or
Power) admittedly has its special merits and virtues. But these four
months were particularly labeled as sanctified just for one reason that
their sanctity and holiness was confirmed even by the polytheists of
Makkak in pre-Islamic period.
It is Allah’s Month
The
Prophet (PBUH) called this month ‘the month of Allah’. In fact,
referring and attributing it to Allah (SWT) indicates its honor and
merits. The sanctity of this month and attributing it to Allah implies
that it has been declared as sacred by the Will of Allah Himself and no
one could make any changes in its sanctity and sacredness or replace it
with another month as the pagans of pre-Islamic days of ignorance were
used to do.
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“Allah’s month Al-Muharram.” (Muslim 1163).
The attribution of Muharram to Allah is to express its nobility, virtuousness and significance.
Fasting during this month
One
of the merits of this month is the fasting of this month. This is based
on the following narration of the beloved Prophet (PBUH):
“The most virtuous fasting after the month of Ramadan is Allah’s month Al-Muharram.” (Muslim 1163).
This
Hadith clearly declares that this month is the best month for observing
the voluntary fast after Ramadan. Because it is Allah’s month.
Quraish
used to observe fast on the day of Ashura in the Pre-Islamic Ignorance
Period, and Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) too, used to observe fast on that
day. When he migrated to Al-Madinah, he observed fast on that day and
ordered others to observe fast too. Later when the fasting of the month
of Ramadan was prescribed, he gave up fasting on the day of Ashura and
became optional for one to observe fast on it or to leave its fasting.
The History of Ashura
Pharaoh
ruled the entire nation of Israel enslaved and subjugated them,
afflicted them with the worst torment, slaughtering their newborn sons
and keeping their females alive. The reason why this tyrant king
committed these criminal acts was the fear of the truth coming out from
the offspring of this nation. They used to know, according to the glad
tidings that came to them from the Prophet Ibrahim (AS). Ibrahim (AS)
informed them that someone from his lineage would destroy this tyrant
king and his kingdom. This news was famous among them; and pharaoh was
informed of this news too. The tyrant king commanded his hosts to
slaughter every newborn male child of this nation; in order to protect
himself from due destruction.
In
spite of such precautions they did not changed what Allah wanted. Musa
(AS) was raised in this tyrant king’s home and Allah (SWT) chose for the
Prophet Musa (AS) to be born safely under the guardianship and
protection of Allah (SWT) until he became mature.
Musa
(AS) was chosen as a Prophet by Allah and sent to this brutal king.
Allah blessed him with many miracles as signs of Prophethood but pharaoh
behaved arrogantly and was stubborn. He claimed that these signs are no
more than a magic. He rejected his doctrine and decided to use
different types of plans. Such as, fear, force and retaliation to
overcome Musa (AS) and his followers. Pharaoh gathered his hosts, which
were huge in numbers and well equipped. They pursed Musa (AS) and his
followers, hoping to destroy them completely. Musa (AS) and his
followers ended up at the sea with the brutal king and his hosts behind
them. Musa (AS) struck the sea with his staff and it opened up for them
to cross.
Musa
(AS) and all those who believed and were with him walked across the
open paths in the sea. And Allah (SWT) drowned the brutal king and his
army in the sea and destroyed them completely.
Fasting the day of Ashura
Although the entire month of Muharram is a holy and sanctified mont
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