Salam alaikum brothers and sisters. This topic is posted for reading and understanding the virtues of the month of Muharram. I implore everyone to contribute if there is anything missing out or there is something important that ought to be added.

Respected brothers and sisters, don't let us make this an avenue to throw issues that won't be controlled neither do we need to scold anyone with different perspective. We can intelligently make corrections and leave the issue when the person being corrected seems to be dogged, obdurate and arrogant.

May Allah forgive each and everyone of us and reward us with the little we are trying to contribute.

INTRODUCTION


With the sighting of the new moon the Islamic new year is ushered in. The first month Muharram, is a month of great reward and virtue. Muharram itself means `sacred' and is from those months which have been mentioned as sacred in the Holy Quraan.
Almighty Allah states in the Holy Quraan:
"Four of them ( Zil-Qadah, Zil-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab) are sacred."
(Surah At-Tawbah:36)

Virtues

From out of the four sacred months, Muharram has been blessed with certain specific virtues:-
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:
"The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadhan is the fasting of Allah's month of Muharram."
(Muslim)


In another Hadeeth, Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) reports: "that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said: "The one that keeps a fast in the month of Muharram will receive the reward of thirty fasts for each fast (in this sacred month)."

(Tabraani)

Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, the one who fasts in these days out of his own will and choice is entitled to a great reward by Almighty Allah. The Hadith citied above signifies that the fasts of the month of Muharram are the most rewardable among the Nafl fasts i.e. the fasts one observes out of his own choice without being obligatory on him.

The Hadith does not mean that the reward promised for fasts of Muharram can only be attained by fasting for the whole month. On the contrary, each fast during this month has merit. Therefore, one should take advantage of this opportunity.

The Day of Aashora (10th Muharram)

Although the month of Muharram is a sacred month as a whole, the 10 th of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named ‘Ashurah'. It is one of the most important and blessed days of Allah in the Islamic calendar.

According to the Holy companion, Ibn Abbas Radhiallaho Anhu, when the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam migrated to Madinah, he found that the Jews of Madinah used to fast on the 10 th day of Muharram. They said that it was the day on which the Holy Prophet Musa Alayhis Salaam and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously, and the Pharaoh was drowned in its water. On hearing this from the Jews, the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam said, “We are more closely related to Musa than you.” So the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam directed the Muslims to fast on the day of Ashura. (Abu Dawood)

According to another Hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of Ashura should be either preceeded or suceded by an additional fast. It means that one should fast two days: the 9 th and 10 th of Muharram or the 10 th and 11 th . The reason of this additional fast as mentioned by the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam is that the Jews used to fast on the day of Ashura alone, and the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam wanted to distinguish the Islmaic-way of fasting from that of the Jews. Therefore, he advised the Muslims to add another fast to the day of Ashura.

Some Ulama (scholars) are of the opinion that before the fasts of Ramadhan were made compulsory, the fast of the day of Aashora was compulsory upon the Ummah.

This is stated in a Hadeeth reported by Hazrat Aisha (Radhiyallahu-Anha):
"that the Holy Prophet Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) ordered the observance of the fast of Aashora. However, when the fast of Ramadhan became compulsory, then whosoever wished, kept this fast and whosoever desired did not observe this fast."
(Bukhari)

But, nevertheless the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) continued to fast this day and encouraged his Companions to do the same.


Recommended deeds on the day of Aashora

The Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) has exhorted and encouraged his Ummah to fast on this day. He said:
"This fast is a compensation for the (minor) sins of the past year."
(Muslim)

One should also observe the fast of the 9th Muharram to safeguard his deed from resemblance with the Non-Muslims who fast only on the 10th Muharram.

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) said:
"When Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) observed the fast of the day of Aashora and ordered (his Companions) to fast, they said: `O Rasulullah! It is a day revered (glorified) by the Jews and Christians.' Thereupon Rasulullah said: "The coming year, if Allah wills (I remain alive), I will for surely fast on the ninth (also)."
(Muslim)

These Ahadeeth indicate clearly that one should fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram. However, if one does not manage to fast on the ninth, then he/she should fast on the eleventh of Muharram instead.

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:
"Observe the fast of Aashora and oppose the Jews. Fast a day before it or a day after."
(Baihaqi)

Hence, it is important to either fast on the ninth and the tenth or the tenth and the eleventh of Muharram. To fast only on the day of Aashora is Makrooh as stated by Allamah Ibn Aabideen Shaami.

One should be generous on one's family and dependants and spend more on them than what is normally spent.
Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:
"One who generously spends on his family on the day of Aashora, Allah will increase (his provision) for the whole year." (Baihaqi)

These are the only actions supported by Ahadeeth.

Let us observe this great day according to the ways of Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) and the Sahabah (Radhiyallahu-Anhum), and refrain from all innovations which deprive us of the blessings from Almighty Allah.

May Allah guide us all upon the Straight Path and save us from every act which brings His displeasure.
Ameen.




Walahu A'lam

'Ashura - Misrepresentations and Distortions
By Ayatullah Murtada Mutahhari

http://www.al-islam.org/al-tawhid/ashura/

"The Fast" of 'Ashura (are we really told to fast on the day of ashura?)
By Sayyid Saeed Akhtar Rizvi

http://www.al-islam.org/al-serat/default.asp?url=fastofashura.htm


A Probe Into the History of Ashura
By Dr. Ibrahim Ayati

http://www.al-islam.org/ashura/

jazakun lah aihran

Today is the 10th day of the holy month of Muharram also known as the day of Ashura.this is the day Imam Hussain's matyrdom is commemorated the world over.this is the day Imam Hussain,the grandson of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (sa), and his family and loyal companions totalling 72 were massacred by an army of thousands of the accursed Yazid Ibn Muawiya.today is the day Imam Hussain saved Islam from destruction with his blood.he paid the price of blood and never agreed to compromise or accept the rule of the tyrant and his oppression.he saved Islam from distortion,and its eventually destruction that was being planned for by the tyrant through his un-islamic actions.when threatened with death,the reply of the Imam was:"my type does not give allegiance to his type"!!!

on the day of Ashura,the sky rained blood literally!the jin,beasts and the inhabitants of the skies mourned for Hussain.the Prophet fought for the revelation while Hussain died for its preservation.the blood of Imam Hussain awakened the sleeping ummah that was being bought with money and sleeping in the same bed with corruption.the tragedy shook the foundations of bani ummayya and finally brought their end.

this is the triumph of blood over the sword,of truth over injustice,of sacrifice over tyranny,of justice over oppression and of good over evil and falsehood.


since we were not present in Karbala,we long and wish to have being in his company.the least we do to revive Islam every year and give it a fresh breath of survival and the hallmark of its preservation is commemorating the matyrdom of Imam Hussain to create awareness that muslims should never fall asleep and remembering the tragedy of Karbala.it awakens our spirit to never compromise with evil and to do all our best to protect Islam and observe justice even if that means sacrificing our blood and skin.

i will conclude by leaving you with videos below titled "Ashura in Nigeria" from last year's commemoration:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49dMzwWo0r0


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-qYetChfuc