By Shaykh Yusuf Badat
1. What is Muharram?
Muḥarram is the 1st month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It commences the new year.
2. What is the meaning of Muharram?
- Muḥarram means “forbidden” or “sacred”.
- violating its sanctity is forbidden due to the month being sacred.
- Conflicts are especially forbidden during this sacred period.
- Being a sacred month, blessings and rewards are excessive in this month.
3. How is the month sacred?
- Almighty Allah declared it as sacred in the Qur’an. (9:36)
- It is dubbed as “Allah’s month”. (Sahih Muslim)
- It contains a very blessed day, the 10th, ‘Ashurah day.
- Repentance is accepted this month. (Tirmidhi)
- It is the best month to fast in, after the month of Ramadan. (Sahih Muslim)
- Each day of fasting in Muharram equals 30 days of fasting in rewards. (Tabrani, Targhib)
4. What is ‘Ashurah and why is it significant?
- ‘Ashurah is the 10th day of Muharram.
- This is the day, Almighty Allah blessed the Prophet Musa (peace and blessings upon him) along with the Israelites, victory and freedom, from the tyranny of the Pharaoh.
5. Fasting on ‘Ashurah, what, why and how?
- Prophet Musa fasted on this day in appreciation to the Almighty for being saved.
- The Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessing upon him) fasted on this day and instructed his followers to fast. (Buhkhari)
- It was a mandatory fast prior to the Ramadan fasting.
- It is mustaḥab (encouraged prophetic practice) to fast on this day.
- One should also fast either on the 9th or 11th along with the 10th if possible. (Abu Dawud)
6. What are the rewards of fasting on ‘Ashurah?
Apart from the Muḥarram virtues listed above, the forgiveness of an entire year. (Sahih Muslim)
7. What else can one do on ‘Ashurah?
Be more generous in spending upon family. This will result in Allah’s blessings for a whole year. (Bayhaqi)
8. What about the illustrious Imam Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) and the household of the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) in Muharram?
- There is no link with the great personality and Muharram apart from the fact that his martyrdom happened to occur in Muharram.
- We cherish, respect and love Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) and the family of the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him). (Tirmidhi)
- We learn from their lives and teachings.
- We are saddened by the troubled happenings of the past, including the martyrdom of Ḥusayn (may Allah be pleased with him) however we do not mourn, wail, curse or self inflict torture in memory of any such sad happenings. (Bukhari)
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