الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على سيد المرسلين وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين
We are in the sacred month of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar Hijri calendar. We welcome this New Hijri year and pray that Allah (SWT), in his infinite grace and mercy blesses us and keeps us busy with deeds that will draw us close to Him, in this New Year, and beyond. In my khatira today, I want to share some thoughts with you on the historical aspect, the significance, and the virtues of this blessed month, especially with reference to ‘Ashura or the tenth day of Muharram.
First of all, we should know that the Islamic calendar was introduced during the era of Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA). He asked the people as to which year they think should mark the beginning of the Islamic calendar. Some held that it should start from the birth of the Prophet (SAW). Others suggested that it should begin from the year he passed away. Still others said that it should commence from the very first day the Prophet (SAW) began his mission. A fourth group believed that the calendar should start with the hijrah. Umar (RA) chose the last suggestion, perhaps because the hijrah marked the point in history when Allah differentiated between truth and falsehood by giving the Prophet (SAW) real power and authority which was manifested in the form of the first Islamic State at Madinah. The hijrah was not only a historical event, but one that changed the course of history.
The month of Muharram, derives its sacredness from the two primary sources of Islamic guidance, the Qur’an and the Sunnah. We have in ayah 36 of Surat al-Taubah,
إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ
“Indeed the number of months with Allah is twelve months in Allah’s Book, the day when He created the heavens and the earth. Of these, four are sacred.”(al-Taubah, 9:26)
In a hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) identified these four sacred months to be Dhul Qa’dah, Dhul Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab. As a matter of fact, these four months were regarded as sacred by the Arabs, even before the advent of Islam. All fighting and warfare were deemed wrong, improper and irreligious. The practice of fasting on ‘Ashura was known even before the Prophet’s mission.
It is reported that ‘Aishah (RA) said: “The people of Jahiliyyah used to fast on that day…” Al-Qurtubi said: “Perhaps the Quraish used to fast on that day on the basis of some past law, such as that of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).” It is reported in the Sahih of Imam Al-Bukhari and other authentic collections of ahadith that the Prophet (SAW) and his Companions used to fast on the 10th day of Muharram while they were in Makkah before the hijrah. It was a day on which people of Makkah used to change the covering (kiswah) of the Ka`bah.
After the hijrah when the Prophet (SAW) came to Madinah, he found that the Jews of Madinah also used to observe this day with fasting. The Prophet (SAW) asked them the reason of their fasting on this day. They said, “This is a blessed day. On this day Allah saved the Children of Israel from the tyranny and persecution of Firaun, and so Musa (AS) fasted on this day to show his gratitude to Allah (SWT).” The Prophet (SAW) said, “We have more claim to Musa than you.” He fasted on that day and commanded Muslims to do so. In another report it is mentioned that Jews of Madinah used to hold a feast on this day. The Prophet (SAW) told his Companions to fast instead.
It is reported from Ibn Mas’ud (RA) that when the fasting in the month of Ramadan was made compulsory, the obligation to fast ‘Ashura was lifted, i.e., it was no longer compulsory to fast on this day, but it is still mustahabb or desirable and is one of the ways through which Muslims uphold the sacredness of the month of Muharram. Imam At-Tirmidhi mentioned that ibn `Abbas (RA) used to say that we should fast on two days: the 9th and 10th of Muharram to distinguish ourselves from the Jewish community. Ibn `Abbas also quoted the Prophet (SAW) as saying, “If I live next year, I shall also fast on the 9th day.” There is a great reward in fasting the day of ‘Ashura because there are many ahadith that mention its blessings and virtues.
It is observed that the sacred month of Muharram features important events in the lives of earlier Prophets and Messengers also, and that ‘Ashura or the 10th of Muharram is a day of great historical significance. As mentioned in the writings of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (Rahmatullahi ‘alaih) in his famous book, al-Ghunya li-talibi treeq al-Haq (Sufficient Provisions for Seekers of the Path of Truth), also known by the name Ghunyat uttalibeen, on this day: Allah accepted the repentance of Adam (AS) after his exile from Paradise. Allah saved Nuh (AS) and his companions from the great flood, and his ark landed on Mount Judi. Allah extinguished the fire in which Ibrahim (AS) was thrown by Nimrud. Allah spoke directly to Musa (AS) and gave him the Commandments. Ayub (AS) was restored to health from his illness of leprosy. Yusuf (AS) was reunited with his father Yaqub (AS). Yunus (AS) was taken out from the belly of the fish. Dawud (AS) was forgiven. The kingdom of Sulaiman (AS) was restored. ‘Isa (AS) was raised to Jannah. And last but not least, it was on the day of ‘Ashura that Imam Hussein (RA), the beloved grandson of the Prophet (SAW) achieved the honor of martyrdom.
Muharram is the beginning of a New Hijri Year. So, it is a good time for all of us to take stock of our lives and to make New Year resolutions that will lead to self-improvements in our lives. These resolutions should be balanced and should include spiritual, as well as physical, intellectual and social goals. For example, it is commendable to make resolutions of increasing our voluntary acts of worship such as prayers and fasting. We should, however, not limit ourselves to these noble and worthy goals but also make some modest resolutions concerning our physical health and well-being, improving our inter-personal relations with members of our family and friends and advancing our knowledge.
May Allah (SWT) grant peace, security, health and happiness to all. May this be the year of mutual love, respect, understanding, reconciliation and compassion. Ameen!
أَقُولُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ لِي وَلَكُمْ وَلِسَائِرِ المُسْلِمينَ وَالمُسْلِمَاتْ فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهْ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
