Virtues Of Aashura — The Sacred Month Muharram-Ul -Haram

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The blessings of giving in the path of Allah on ‘Ashura

On the day of ‘Ashura (i.e. 10 Muharram-ul-Haraam), a poor person came to the Qadi [judge] in ‘Ray’ and humbly said, ‘I am a very poor person with a family, for the sake of the day of ‘Ashura! Please arrange ten kilos of flour, five kilos of meat and two Dirhams for me.’ The judge told him to come after Zuhr [Salah]. When the poor person came at the affixed time, he called him at ‘Asr. He arrived after ‘Asr, but he still didn’t give him anything and sent him back empty-handed. The poor person became heartbroken. Upset and sad, he came across a non-Muslim and said to him, ‘For the sake of the sacred day of today, please give me something.’ He asked, ‘What day is it today?’ Then the poor person mentioned some excellences of ‘Ashura. Hearing them, he said, ‘You have presented the means of such an exceedingly great day, please mention your need.’ The poor person mentioned the same need to him. That person presented ten sacks of wheat, a hundred kilos of meat and twenty Dirhams, and said, ‘This is fixed for your household and family every month for your entire lifetime for the sake of the excellence and greatness of this day.’ At night, the judge had a dream that someone is saying, ‘Look up!’ When he looked up, he saw two magnificent palaces; one was of gold and silver bricks and the other was of red rubies The judge asked, ‘Whose are these two palaces?’ A reply came, ‘If you had fulfilled the need of the beggar, then you would have received these; but because you sent him back (empty-handed), these two palaces will now be given to soand-so non-Muslim.’ When the judge awoke, he was really worried. In the morning, he went to the non-Muslim and asked him, ‘What “good deed” did you perform yesterday?’ He asked, ‘How did you come to know?’ The judge related his dream and made an offer that take a hundred thousand Dirhams from me and sell me your yesterday’s “good deed”.’ That non-Muslim said, ‘I will not sell it even if I was given all the wealth of the whole world; the Mercy and Kindness of Allah is very great.’ After saying this, he recited the Kalimah [Declaration of Faith] and became Muslim. (Raud-ul-Riyaheen, p. 275)

The reason for calling it ‘Muharram

The first month of the Islamic year is Muharram. The name ‘Muharram’ was given to it due to the sacredness (i.e. reverence) of this blessed month. (Tafseer Ibn-eKaseer, At Taubah, Taht-al-ayah. 36, vol. 4, p. 128)

Allah Almighty commenced the Islamic year with the blessed month of Muharram-ul-Haraam and has bestowed upon us many opportunities of reward, goodness, and blessing in it. He opened up ways for a believing person to become His favoured (bondsman) so that a person becomes close to the Almighty Lord from the very beginning of the year, and so that he repents, and his sins are forgiven. Moreover, the effect of good deeds remains until the end of the year, to the extent that one remains preoccupied in worship in the last month of the year, Zul-Hijja-til-Haraam, as well. It is hoped that obedience of the entire year will be written for him, because whoever’s deed starts and ends on worship, then the ruling of the one who remains engaged in worship in between both these times also applies to him. (Lataif-ul-Ma’arif, p. 36)

Two virtues of Muharram-ul-Haraam

A person presented himself in the blessed court of the Noble Prophet ﷺ and humbly asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah ﷺ other than Ramadan, which month should I keep fasts in?’ He stated, ‘After Ramadan, if you are to keep fasts in any month, then keep the fasts of Muharram, as this is the month of Allah Almighty. In this month, there is one day in which Allah Almighty accepted the repentance of a nation and will also accept the repentance of others as well.’(Musnad Imam Ahmad, vol. 1, p. 327, Hadees 1334)

The Noble Prophet ﷺ stated, ‘After the month of Ramadan, the most superior fasts are the fasts of Muharram, the month of Allah Almighty, and after the Fard Salah, the most superior Salah is that of the night.’(Muslim, p. 456, Hades 2755)

The greatness of the first ‘Asharah (ten days) of Muharram

Sayyiduna Abu ‘Usman Nahdi رضی اللہ عنہ states, ‘The blessed companions would revere three sets of ten days.

1. The last ten days of Ramadan-ul-Mubarak

2. The first ten days of Zul-Hijja-til-Haraam

3. The first ten days of Muharram-ul-Haraam.’

(Lataif-ul-Ma’arif, p. 36)

The day of ‘Ashura

The 10th of Muharram holds a special importance in this blessed month. It is known as Yawm-e- ‘Ashura. One reason for calling 10th Muharram-ul-Haraam ‘Ashura is also because Allah Almighty favoured ten Noble Prophets علیہم السلام with honour and respect on this day.

(Fayz-ul-Qadeer, vol. 4, p. 394, Taht-ul-Hadees 5365)

The blessed links of the day of ‘Ashura

The day of ‘Ashura has a special link to the Noble Prophets علیہم السلام

1. Sayyiduna Musa علیہ السلام was helped on the day of ‘Ashura, and Fir’awn and his followers were destroyed on it.

2. The ark of Sayyiduna Nuh علیہ السلام stopped at Mount Joodi.

3. Sayyiduna Yunus علیہ السلام attained salvation from the stomach of the whale.

4. It is the day when the repentance of Sayyiduna Aadam علیہ السلام was accepted.

5. Sayyiduna Yusuf علیہ السلام was taken out of the well.

6. Sayyiduna ‘Isa علیہ السلام was born on this day and he was raised to the heavens on this very day.

7. The repentance of Sayyiduna Dawood علیہ السلام was accepted on the day of ‘Ashura.

8. Sayyiduna Ibraheem علیہ السلام was born on this very day.

9. The weakness in eye-sight that Sayyiduna Ya’qoob علیہ السلام had went away on this very day.

10. Sayyiduna Idrees علیہ السلام was raised to the heavens.

11. On this very day, Allah Almighty removed the affliction of Sayyiduna Ayyub علیہ السلام .

12. Sayyiduna Sulayman علیہ السلام was bestowed with kingship on the day of ‘Ashura. (‘Umda-tul-Qaari, vol. 8, p. 233)

A day of ‘Eid

This day was the day of ‘Eid for the Bani Isra’eel. It is narrated that Sayyiduna Musa علیہ السلام would wear kattaan [fine linen] clothing and apply Ismid Kohl on the day of ‘Ashura. (Lataif-ul-Ma’arif, p. 57)

The era of the Noble Messenger ﷺ and the day of ‘Ashura In the [pre-Islamic] era of ignorance, the Quraysh would fast on the day of ‘Ashura. The Noble Prophet ﷺ would also fast on this day (Bukhari, vol. 1, p. 656, Hadees 2002)

and the cover of the sacred Ka’bah would be changed on this very day. (Bukhari, vol. 1, p. 536, Hadees 1592)

A large number of Jews inhabited Khayber and Madinah Munawwarah. Since they belonged to the Bani Isra’eel, and the Bani Isra’eel attained salvation on the day of ‘Ashura from Fir’awn, hence, they would commemorate this day as an ‘Eid and would fast on this day. (Lataif-ul-Ma’arif, pp. 57–58 summarised)

When the Noble Prophet ﷺ arrived in Madinah Munawwarah, he saw that the Jews also kept a fast on the day of ‘Ashura. He asked, ‘Why do you fast on this day?’ The Jews humbly replied, ‘This is the day of greatness. This is that day on which Allah Almighty granted salvation to the Bani Isra’eel and Sayyiduna Musa علیہ السلام (from their enemy, Fir’awn). So, Sayyiduna Musa علیہ السلام kept a fast on this day out of gratitude and we also keep a fast on this day.’ The Noble Prophet ﷺ stated, ‘We are more deserving of Sayyiduna Musa علیہ السلام than you.’ Hence, he kept a fast on that day and commanded people to keep a fast.’(Muslim, p. 441, Hadees 2658, summarised)

The fast of ‘Ashura was Fard

Dear Islamic brothers! Initially, the fast of ‘Ashura was Fard for Muslims, then the fasts of Ramadan abrogated its obligation. (Mirat-ul-Manajih, vol. 3, p. 180) Although the fast of ‘Ashura is no longer Fard, yet there is great reward for the one who keeps the fast of that day.

Two saying of the Noble Prophet ﷺ

1. ‘I anticipate from Allah Almighty that the fast of ‘Ashura will wipe away the sins of the previous year.’ (Muslim, p. 454, Hadees 2746, selected)

2. ‘The fast of ‘Ashura is equal to a year’s worth of fasts.’ (Musnad Ahmad, vol. 8, p. 381, Hadees 22679)

One day before or one day after

The King of Madinah, the Noble Prophet ﷺ stated, ‘Keep the fast of the day of ‘Ashura and oppose the Jews in it; keep the fast of one day before or after the day of ‘Ashura.’ (Musnad Ahmad, vol. 1, p. 518, Hadees 2154)

Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Bin ‘Abbas, رضی اللہ عنہ a Sahabi and the son of a Sahabi, states, ‘I have not seen the Noble Prophet ﷺ seeking the fast of any day whilst giving it excellence over another day except for the day of ‘Ashura and the month of Ramadan.’ (Bukhari, vol. 1, p. 657, Hadees 2006)

The fast of ‘Ashura became a cause of forgiveness A respected scholar was seen in a dream. The one who saw the dream asked him about his state. He said, ‘I was forgiven due to the blessing of keeping the fast of ‘Ashura for 60 years.’ It is stated in another narration that ‘due to the blessing of keeping the fast of ‘Ashura and that of one day before and after’.

(Lataif-ul-Ma’arif, p. 57)

Animals also respect the day of ‘Ashura

Dear Islamic brothers! ‘Ashura is such a blessed day that let alone human beings, even birds and animals, to the extent that wild animals, also respect it; and revering this day, they also keep a fast. Read some first-hand accounts, experiences and statements of the pious predecessors

1. The great Taabi’i predecessor, Sayyiduna Qays Bin ‘Ubaad رضی اللہ عنہ ‘ states, ‘The following fact has reached me that wild animals keep the fast of the 10th of Muharram.’ (Lataif-ul-Ma’arif, p. 57)
2. Sayyiduna Fath Bin Shakhraf رحمتہ اللہ علیہ states, ‘I used to break up and place roti [bread] for ants daily; when the day of 10th Muharram would come, they would not eat it.’ (Lataif-ul-Ma’arif, p.57; Majmu’ fihi Rasaail lil-Hafiz Nasir-id-Deen, p. 74)
3. Sayyiduna Abul Hasan ‘Ali Bin ‘Umar Qazweeni رحمتہ اللہ علیہ ‘ states, ‘Even ants keep a fast on the 10th of Muharram.’(Majmu’ fihi Rasaail lil-Hafiz Nasir-id-Deen, p. 74)
4. The ‘Abbasid Khalifah, Al-Qaadir Billah,رحمتہ اللہ علیہ also faced this matter, so he became very bewildered. He asked Sayyiduna Abul-Hasan Qazweeni رحمتہ اللہ علیہ  ‘ about this, so he said, ‘Ants keep a fast on 10th of Muharram.’ (Lataif-ul-Ma’arif, p. 57)
5. Sayyiduna ‘Allamah Ibn-e-Naasir-ud-Deen Dimashqi رحمتہ اللہ علیہ ‘ (passed away in 842 AH) writes, ‘A person came to a village on 10th of Muharram. People were slaughtering animals at that time. He asked the reason, so the people of the village said, ‘Today, wild animals are fasting. Come with us, we will show you.’ They took him to a garden and made him stand there. He narrates that ‘After ‘Asr, wild animals began to come from every direction and they surrounded the garden. Their heads were raised towards the sky. None of them ate anything (from that meat). As soon as the sun set, those wild animals pounced upon the meat and quickly ate everything.’ (Majmu’ fihi Rasaail lil-Hafiz Nasir-ud-Deen, p. 74)

Perform Ghusl [ritual bath] on the night of ‘Ashura

When the night of ‘Ashura (i.e. the 10th of Muharram) arrives, then perform Ghusl as the water of Zamzam is mixed in all waters on this night, and by performing Ghusl on this night, one remains protected from illnesses for the entire year. (Al-Noor fi Fazaail-il-Ayaam wal-Shuhoor, p. 123) The deeds of the day of ‘Ashura Sayyiduna Imam ‘Abd-ur-Rahman Bin ‘Ali Jawzi رحمتہ اللہ علیہ ‘ states, ‘The 10th of Muharram is an extremely sacred day; hence, it is appropriate that one performs as many good deeds as possible. Regard this time of goodness as a blessing and refrain from heedlessness.’

(Al Tabasrah li Ibn-e-Jawzi, vol. 2, p. 8) Hence, perform the following righteous actions:

1. Keep the fast of the day of ‘Ashura and also join with it the fast of the 9th or 11th of Muharram-ul-Haraam. (Musnad Imam Ahmad, vol. 1, p. 518, Hadees 2154)
2. It is stated by Sayyiduna ‘Ali-ul-Murtada کرم اللہ تعلی وجہہ الکریم ‘Whosoever recites Surat-ul-Ikhlaas 1000 times on the day of ‘Ashura, then Allah Almighty will look at him (with mercy), and the one whom Allah Almighty looks at (mercifully), He will never punish him.’ (Al-Noor fi Fazaail-il-Ayaam wal-Shuhoor, p. 124)
3. The repentance of Sayyiduna Aadam علیہ السلام was accepted on the day of ‘Ashura; hence, repent and seek forgiveness on this day and make Du’a in the Majestic Court of the Lord Almighty to remain firm on repentance. (Lawami’-ul- Anwaar, p. 259)
4. Especially apply Ismid Kohl on the day of ‘Ashura; with the blessing of this, the eyes will not hurt. It is a saying of the Noble Prophet ﷺ The one who applies Ismid Kohl in the eyes on the day of ‘Ashura, his eyes will never hurt.’ (Shu’ab-ul-Iman, vol. 3, p. 367, Hadees 3797)
5. Visit graves.
6. Shed tears out of the fear of Allah (if possible). (Muraqqa’ Kaleemi, p. 190, summarised)

Forgiveness of all past and future sins

Once, after offering Jumu’ah Salah on the 10th of Muharramul-Haraam, the Noble Prophet ﷺ sat near a pillar in Masjid Nabawi. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رضی اللہ تعلی عنہ was also sat by him. The Mu’azzin of the Noble Messenger, Sayyiduna Bilal رضی اللہ تعلی عنہ began to call out the Azaan, and when he said اشهد ان محمد رسول الله , then Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رضي الله عنه.‘ placed the nails of both thumbs on both of his eyes and said, قرة عيني بك يا رسول الله When Sayyiduna Bilal رضي الله.عنه finished giving the Azaan, the Noble Prophet ﷺ stated, ‘O Abu Bakr! The one who does what you did, Allah Almighty will forgive all of his past and future sins.’

(Tafseer Ruh-ul-Bayan, vol. 7, p. 229, summarised)

Acting upon this practise of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رضی اللہ عنہ not only on the day of ‘Ashura, but whenever you hear the blessed name of the Holy Prophet ﷺ make it a habit to kiss your thumbs.

A great formula for blessing in sustenance

It is stated by the Noble Prophet ﷺ ‘The one who spends prosperously on his children on the 10th of Muharram, Allah Almighty will grant him prosperity all year round. Sayyiduna Sufyan رضی اللہ عنہ states, ‘We practised this Hadees and found it to be exactly as it states.’

(Mishkat-ul-Masabih, vol. 1, p. 365, Hadees 1926)

Hakeem-ul-Ummah, Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Na’eemi رحمتہ اللہ علیہ ‘ states with regards to this blessed Hadees, ‘If you prepare various kinds of food on the tenth of Muharram for your children, servants, workers, the poor and needy, then there will be blessings in those foods for the whole year. Muslims cook Haleem (Khichra) on the day of ‘Aashura. The origin of this is this Hadees because in Haleem (Khichra), there is every kind of food; wheat, meat, lentils, rice, etc. So there will be blessings in all of these foods in the home of the one who cooks Haleem.’ He further states, ‘Remember, you should keep a fast yourself on the day of ‘Ashura, and feed children and the poor well; hence, this Hadees does not contradict the fast of ‘Ashura.’ (Mirat-ul-Manajih, vol. 3, p. 115)

The day of ‘Ashura and the account of Karbala

O devotees of the blessed companions and the Ahl-ul-Bayt! The month of Muharram-ul-Haraam reminds us every year of the martyrs of Karbala and especially the maternal grandson of the Noble Messenger ﷺ , the leader of the martyrs, the lofty Imam, Sayyiduna Imam Husayn رضی اللہ عنہ because on the 10th Muharram 61 AH, a great battle in the history of Islam took place between truth and falsehood, which is referred to as the account of Karbala. The determined way of the martyrs of Karbala gave a great lesson to the people of truth to remain firm in front of evil and to sacrifice one’s life for the sake of Islam when needed. If Sayyiduna Imam Husayn رضی اللہ عنہ pledged allegiance to Yazeed, then that entire army would have been at his feet, he would have been respected, treasures would have been given to him, and the wealth of the world would have been placed in his feet. But the one whose heart is free from [the desire of] the world; rather, at whose service the world itself is, what would he want to do with the beauty of this world? Sayyiduna Imam Husayn رضی اللہ۔عنہ totally renounced the luxuries of this world and wholeheartedly welcomed the difficulties he faced in the path of truth. Despite facing such an amount of calamities, he did not allow even the thought of pledging allegiance to an open wrongdoer like the wretched Yazeed to come into his blessed heart. He agreed to sacrifice his house and spill his own blood, but he did not allow the dignity of Islam to be tarnished. By Allah! The people of Karbala offering their lives in the battlefield of Karbala for the sake of Islam is a great lesson for the Muslims until the end of time.

Whilst embedding the love and affection of the Blessed Ahl-ulBayt in our hearts, may we also enlighten our lives in this world and the Hereafter by acting upon their blessed seerah, and may we attain the pleasure of Allah Almighty.