THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MUHARRAM

By Khalid Yacob An Nadwi
Graduate, Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama- Lucknow, India

Allah(SWT) states in Surah Taubah, verse 37 :”Indeed the number of months by Allah are 12, so was it ordained by Allah on the day He created the heavens and earth, of them 4 are sacred.”

Rasulallah(SAW) informed us about these 4 months in a hadith recorded by Imaam Ali Bukhaari(RA) in his famous book As Saheeh. In hadith no 4662 he recorded that Abu Bakara(RA) said that the Prophet(SAW) addressed  them in his farewell sermon saying that, “indeed the year evolves as it was the day Allah(SWT) created the heavens and the earth.  The year has 12 months, among them 4 are sacred, 3 are successive, Dhul Qi’dah, Dhul Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab.”

The quraanic verse and hadith mentioned is sufficient evidence that the month of Muharram was declared sacred by Allah(SWT) on the day He(SWT) created the heavens and the earth.  This was the view held by the pious predecessors of The Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah.  As for the view that Muharram is sanctified because of the martyrdom of Imaam al Husien(RA), this belief is entertained by certain non-sunni sects. The Sunni sect believes that Allah(SWT) honoured Imaam Al Husein(RA) by awarding him with martyrdom in this auspicious month.  Due to the fact that these 4 months and Ramadaan are sacred in the Islamic calendar, the reward for good deeds in these months are far greater than it is in other months. Just as engaging in sin during these months is far more heinous than engaging in sins in other months.  Off course sinning is prohibited throughout the year, but we must exercise more caution during these months.  Allaamah Ibnu Katheer in his popular tafseer quotes Imaam As Shaafu(RA) as saying: “One who commits murder during these months, must pay more than the prescribed amount of blood money.”

The 10th day of Muharram is considered more sacred than the other days of this month.  This day is called Aashuraa.  This day is treated as sacred because Allah(SWT) rescued Nabi Moosa(AS) and the Israelites from the oppression of Phiroun on this day, as reported by Imaam Al Bukhaari and Imaam Muslim(RA).  Ibnu Abbas(RA) relates that when Rasulullah(SAW) came to Madinah, he noticed the Jews fasting on the day of Aashura, so he(SAW) enquired about the reason for their fasting on this day.  They replied, “this is a sacred day, Allah(SWT) rescued Nabi Moosa(AS) and his people and drowned Phiroun and his people on this day.” Thus Nabi(SAW)  fasted on this day as a token of thanks, so we too follow this example and fast on this day.  Rasulullah(SAW) said: “We have more right to Nabi Moosa(AS) than you (the jews),” so he fasted on this day and instructed the Muslims to fast on this day.

Imaam Muslim(RA) also records that Abbaas(RA) said that Rasulullah(SAW) said that if “I am alive next year I will also fast on the ninth.”  Thus it is advisable to fast on the 9th and 10th or the 10th and the 11th, to avoid emulating the Jews.  Fasting on these days is the only ritual which has its source in the authentic books of the sunni sect.  As for the 10 day mourning and other rituals witnessed in R.S.A and other parts of the world, these rituals are innovations of certain non-sunni sects to commemorate the martyrdom of Imaam Al Husein (RA).  Unfortunately some sunni muslims due to lack of knowledge, also observe some of these rituals, believing that it has its origin with the pious predecessors of the sunni Muslims.  It is binding upon those of us who have knowledge from authentic source books of Islam, to impart this knowledge to those who do not possess such knowledge.

Another great event which will take place on Aashura is Qiyaamah (Judgement Day).  According to hadith, Qiyaamah will be on a Friday which will be the day of Aashura.  Many other significant events is said to have occurred on this day, but most of the narrations relating the time of these events are Israelite narrations. We therefore cannot confirm them as authentic nor can we confirm them as unauthentic.  The month of Muharram and the other 3 which were declared sacred in the holy Quraan and the Sunnah, must be treated as the month of Ramadaan is treated.  Muslims must adopt a change of attitude in this month, they must adopt a program for spiritual regimentation.  Considering the weak state of the ummah at large and its incapacity to deal with the challenges it is encountering, it is of utmost importance that Muslims take full advantage of the sacred status of all five months by adopting a strict spiritual program.  Considering the fact that these 4 months are scared, just as Ramadaan is sacred, it is most likely that the mercy and blessing of Allah(SWT) is just as abundant in these months just as it is in Ramadaan.  The present day ummah is in such a crisis, that the Muslims are in urgent need of the mercy and blessing of Allah(SWT), considering the illusion that they entertain.   We do not have the human resources to face the challenges of the day. This illusion is due to the lack of will, which is the direct result of distancing ourselves from Allah(SWT).  The only way to bridge this distance is to gain proximity, and this can only be achieved by adopting a well regulated spiritual program, which will restore our trust in Allah, and inculcate in us the characteristic of abstinence.  Once we achieve this we will Insha Allah be in a state of readiness to deliver the ummah from its crisis.