الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على سيد المرسلين وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين
Brothers and sisters! Today is the last day of the blessed month of Dhul-Hijjah. Insha’Allah, tomorrow will be the first day of the sacred month of Muharram of the new Hijri year – 1438.
Do we realize that the year contains a number of days and nights which are what makes up our lifetime? When a day passes, then a part of us passes away with it. We exist on this earth for a limited period of time. When that period comes to an end, our worldly life comes to an end, and we move on from the domain of this life to the domain of the next life to be judged fairly on how we spent our time in this world and to be compensated accordingly.
We witness the passing of time and the alternation of seasons. We witness the passing away of those who lived alongside us. We witness changes and events taking place around us. All of these are meant to test us. All of these are by the decree of Allah–the Almighty. We hope that insha’Allah, all of us tried to round off the last year with acts which drew us closer to Allah. We welcome the 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 the New Year, and beyond.
I want to share some thoughts with you in today’s khatira on the significance, and virtues of the month of Muharram, especially with reference to its tenth day, known as ‘Ashura.
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 of his death. 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 Muhammad (SAW). All fighting and warfare were believed to be improper and irreligious.
After the hijrah when the Prophet (SAW) came to Madinah, he found that the Jews there fasted on the 10th of Muharram and asked them the reason for their fasting on that day. They said,” This is a blessed day. On this day Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy, and so Prophet Musa (AS) fasted on this day giving thanks to Allah.” The Prophet (SAW) said, “We are closer to Musa than you are.” He fasted on that day and commanded Muslims to fast on that day.
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. The Prophet (SAW) is said, “Fasting the day of ‘Ashura (is f great merits), I hope that Allah will accept it as an expiation for (the sins committed in) the previous year.”
Explaining this hadith, the scholars say that expiation of minor sins comes only if you avoid major sins. It is a big mistake to rely on fasting a single day to “wipe your slate clean.” If you neglect your daily Prayers or the fast of Ramadan, or if you backbite, lie, commit adultery or other major sins, fasting on ‘Ashura’ alone will not atone for your sins.
The tenth of Muharram also marks a significant day in the Muslim calendar for a tragic event that took place in the 61st year of the hijrah; the martyrdom of Imam Husain (RA), the beloved grandson of the Prophet at Karbala in Iraq. Imam Husain challenged the authority of Yezid, the Umayyad ruler, and established the principle that sometimes the goals of life become more important than life itself. Imam Husain stood for the Qur’anic principle of justice and fairness. He spoke on behalf of those who were marginalized by a class of rulers who were laying the foundation of dynastic rules in Islam. Imam Husain refused to surrender to the forces of oppression knowing well that he could perish in the process.
Muharram is a month of serious reflections for the Muslim world. Unfortunately, in many parts of the world, this month has become a point of conflict between the Shias and the Sunnis. Thus, Imam Husain and his legacy is seen as a sectarian event. We should remember that Imam Husain was 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 Qur’anic values of justice and equality. His struggle was for fairness and Islamic values for common men and women.
Imam Husain’s martyrdom at Karbala provides evidence of the moral victory of right over wrong, of virtue over vice, of principle over compromise, and of the oppressed over the oppressor. It was a sacrifice given in support of human rights and human dignity. This legacy should not be split into Sunni or Shia conflict. Shias and Sunnis both need to work together to uphold the legacy and sacrifice that the Grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), Imam Husain (RA) gave. Shias need to look at this observance beyond the passion plays and Sunnis should recognize this historical tragedy beyond a sectarian and political divide. All Muslims need to remember Imam Husain for his commitment to justice as taught by the Quran.
وَأْمُرْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَانْهَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَاصْبِرْ عَلَى مَا أَصَابَكَ إِنَّ ذَلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ الْأُمُورِ
“Command what is right and forbid what is wrong and be steadfast in the face of all that happens to you. Surely, this is something which requires firm resolve” (Luqman, 31:17).
We ask Allah (SWT) to make us live in Islam and to make us die on iman. May He help us to do that what pleases Him. We ask Him to help us to remember Him and to be thankful to Him, to obey Him and to worship Him. May He accept our good deeds and forgive us our misdeeds. May He make us of those who are mindful of Him. May Allah (SWT) grant peace, security, health and happiness to all. May the new Hijri year 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
