Importance and
Significance
of the Month of Muharram
Dr. Mozammel Haque
The
month of Muharram is important and it has so many significances. First of all,
it is not only one of the twelve months of the Hijri calendar but it is the
first month of the Hijri calendar. Secondly, it is also one of the four sacred
or forbidden months of the Hijri calendar. Allah Subhanahu wa Taala said
about the Ashhur ul Hurum, the sanctified four months, one of them is
the month of Muharram. In the following paragraphs, I am going to discuss,
narrate and explain the following subjects – such as Four Sacred Months, Ashhur
ul Hurum, the Holy Places and Holy Times chosen by Allah Subhanahu wa
Taala, Fasting in the month of Muharram, especially fasting in the day of Ashoorah,
expiation of sins – small and big; Karbala – the Martyrdom of Hazrat Hussein on
the day of Ashoorah accidentally and lastly the beginning of Hijri
calendar. This is based on a talk given by Dr Ahmad al-Dubayan, the Director
General of The Islamic Cultural Centre & the Regents Park Central London
Mosque, London, on Muharram on Saturday the 15th of September 2018.
Four Sacred Months
Dr.
Ahmad al-Dubayan first mentioned about the four sacred months in the Hijri
calendar and one of them is the month of Muharram. He said, “There are always
four months in a year. These months are sacred actually they are holy months
but they are not like Ramadan. These months are Dhul Qaida, Dhul Hijja,
Muharram and Rajab. These four months according to the Hijri calendar are the sacred
months – Ashhur al Hurum. Allah Subhanahu
wa Taala said this in the Qur’an. The Holy Qur’an says, "The number of the months according to
Allah is twelve months (mentioned) in the Book of Allah on the day in which He
created heavens and the earth. Among these (twelve months) there are four
sanctified”.
These four months, according to the
authentic traditions, are the months; these months are Dhul Qaida, Dhul
Hijja, Muharram and Rajab. All the commentators of the Holy Qur’an
are unanimous on this point, because the Holy Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam in his sermon on the occasion of
his last Hajj, has declared:"One year consists of twelve months, of which
four are sanctified months, three of them are in sequence; Zulqadah, Zulhijjah,
Muharram, and the fourth is Rajab."
Dr.
al-Dubayan mentioned, “Allah said, don’t be unfair unjust to yourself during
this time. It means you have to avoid conflict and wrong things especially in
these four months. Of course every Muslim is asked every time but it is more
confirmed in these four months. These are the months - Dhul Qaida, Dhul Hijja,
the month of Hajj and this month, Muharram and Rajab, which is going to come inshaallah.
Rajab is the seventh month of the Hijri calendar.”
The
word Muharram itself means sacred or forbidden. Why they call it like this? Dr.
al-Dubayan mentioned, because Arabs used not to fight; not to do any problem or
dispute with other tribe especially during these four months even before Islam.
May be this is one of the remaining of the traditions of Prophet Ibrahim (peace
be upon him).”
Thus, the sanctity of these four
months was recognized right from the days of Sayyidina Ibrahim. Since the
Pagans of Makkah attributed themselves to Sayyidina Ibrahim they observed the
sanctity of these four months and despite their frequent tribal battles, they
held it unlawful to fight in these months. In the Shari’ah of our Holy
Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam the
sanctity of these months was upheld and the Holy Qur’an referred to them as the
"sanctified months".
In
the Hijri calendar there are twelve months out of which these four months are
sacred or forbidden months. Dr. al-Dubayan said, “Among these twelve months
there are four months - the forbidden or sacred months – do not be unfair with
yourself in these four months. Even the Companion of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam
Ibn Abbas said; if somebody commits sins in these four months it is even bigger
more than the other times. Of course respect of the Shari’ah, of the teachings
of Allah Subhanahu wa Taala must be more during these four months.”
Dr.
Al-Dubayan said, “Nowadays we forget these four months. We just live in just
like any other days. Muharram starts; or Safar or Rabi al Awwal do not have any
meaning for us. We are always busy in this Dunya; we do not pay that much
attention to these four months. We have to keep more of these four months in our mind - Dhul Qaida, the month before the
Hajj, the Dhul Hijja, the month of Hajj
and the next month, the month of Muharram which is we are now in and
then the Rajab, the seventh month of the Hijri calendar.”
Dr.
al-Dubayan continued, “As I said, the Arabs, even before Islam, stopped
fighting during these four months. If somebody has revenge against someone who
has killed his brother or father; he during these months does not do anything
to him. He waits till actually the time passes when he is no longer in these
months any more. New month starts; then they go back to their normal life. This
is how they respect this.”
Chosen Holy Times and Holy Places
After
mentioning about the four sacred or forbidden months of the Hijri calendar, Dr.
al-Dubayan spoke of the holy times and holy places. He said, “Allah Subhanahu
wa Taala chooses certain places and certain times to be holy times and to
be holy places. There are certain rituals for this. Allah is the One who
decides this, not us. For example, the month of Ramadan, this is the time, this
is the holy month. The Lailatul Qadr, which Allah Subhanahu wa Taala
asks us to do our best to seek in the month of Ramadan - the Lailatul Qadr,
to pray during the Lailatul Qadr. This is Allah Subhanahu wa Taala
decided.”
“Allah
Subhanahu wa Taala decided the last ten days of Ramadan as Lailatul Qadr, to pray during this Lailatul Qadr; the Yaum ul Arafah,
the day of Arafah, the Ashoorah,
which is going to come next Thursday. These things are decided by Allah Subhanahu
wa Taala, not by us, not by people. For each day there are some teachings;
sometimes fasting, sometimes praying. For example, Lailatul Qadr for
more prayer; the Day of Arafah, fasting for those who are not in Hajj; the Day
of Ashoorah, I am going to talk about
this day of Ashoorah,” Dr. al-Dubayan
said.
Chosen Holy Places
Dr.
al-Dubayan then mentioned about certain holy places. Allah Subhanahu wa
Taala has decided about these holy places – for example, Masjid al-Haram in
Makkah; Masjid al-Nabawi in Madinah and Masjid al-Aqsa. Dr. al-Dubayan
mentioned, “There are certain places Allah Subhanahu wa Taala grants
them His blessings and call them the holy places, one of them is Masjid
al-Haram in Makkah. Allah Subhanahu wa Taala calls this Masjid al-Haram.
The Prophetic Mosque in Madinah, the Masjid al-Nabawi; Allah Subhanahu wa
Taala said who pray here he call them equals to 1,000 prayers than anywhere
else. And one prayer in Makkah in Masjid al Haram equals to 100,000 prayers.
Can you imagine how the blessings in these places? If you pray one time in
Masjid al Haram in Makkah as if you pray 100,000 times than somewhere else. If
you pray at the Masjid of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam it is equal to 1,000 prayers. If
you pray at Masjid al-Aqsa it is equal to 500 prayers. We cannot add any other
mosque on earth in this list of chosen holy places - mosque. It is Allah Subhanahu
wa Taala who decides this, not us and nobody. This is very very important
for all of you”
“Nobody
can tell you - it is preferable to pray at this place or fast that day or to
fast here or to pray here without the daleel of Kitab or Sunnah. Because
it is Allah Subhanahu wa Taala who decides that. How do we know about Ashhur
ul Hurum the four sacred or forbidden months? I told you. It is mentioned
in the Qur’an. How do we know about Masjid al-Haram; if you pray there it is more
than 100,000 prayer, because the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam said in the Hadis Sahih.
How do we know the prayer at the Masjid al-Nabawi equals to 1,000, because
Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe
Wassallam said that. We cannot say, for example, go there; it will
be 100 or less or more; we cannot. You cannot choose any other place and say
this is really preferable; similarly you cannot say to fast that day without
proof; without daleel from the Kitab and Sunnah - the Qur’an and Sunnah,
the traditions of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam. I always advice you when someone
tells something; you ask where it is? show me the daleel whether it is
in the Qur’an or the Hadis Sahih of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam This is very
important,” mentioned Dr. al-Dubayan.
Dr.
al-Dubayan then mentioned about lot of fake stories invented by people in the
Muslim world. He said, “Many people created lot of things in the Muslim world.
If you pray there mashallah there will be more benefits. How do you
know? Can you show daleel? did the Prophet said that? No. One of the
followers of the Companions came to Abdullah al-Masood and said to him, I just
come from Tur, the mountain where Allah Subhanahu wa Taala talked to Moosa
alayes Salam it is in Sinai. This man witnessed the visit to that place, the
mosque there, the place itself. And then he came to Abdullah al-Masood or Abu
Hurairah; he said I just come; why did you go there; he said I wanted to pray
there. He said, listen, I heard Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam saying: nobody travel to pray
besides these three mosques - Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, The Masjid al-Nabawi,
the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah and Masjid al-Aqsa. These three places you can travel
just to pray. So the Companions of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam never travel
just to pray except these three places. Why? Because there is no daleel
from the Kitab or Sunnah. it is said it is sacred or it is holy place; it is a
place where there is given blessings. This is one of the principles of Aqidah you have to remember; I have told
you all the time. Brothers and sisters, you have to remember this; anybody
tells us about any mosque, ask where is this in the Qur’an or the Sunnah of the
Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe
Wassallam.”
Fasting
in the month of Muharram
The
Prophet Muhammad Sallalahu Alayhe
Wassallam used to fast a lot in the month of Muharram, this month; of
course not fasting the whole month like Ramadan. But may be, every week two
days three days; it is a Sunnah to fast as many as you can; or as much as you
can in the month of Muharram, this month. But don’t fast like Ramadan. So, one
day a week or two days a week according to what you can. This is a Sunnah; it
is not a duty, of course. It’s not wajib; this is one of the principles
of this month. In this month, there is a day of Ashoorah. What is a day
of Ashoorah? The Day of Ashoorah is the tenth day of Muharram.
The word Ashoorah came from the word ashara in Arabic. Ashara
means ten.
Treaty
of Madinah
Dr.
al-Dubayan mentioned about the beginning of Ashoorah. He said, “The Prophet
Sallalahu Alayhe
Wassallam came to Madinah, he stayed in Madinah and established
first the Muslim community in Madinah as we all know. There was in Madinah some
Jewish tribes, Jewish community. The Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam closed a Treaty
with the Jewish community, which we called the Treaty of Madinah. According to
this Treaty, not to fight with each other; to be fair with each other, not to hate
some others against others. This is like a political agreement between the
Muslims and the Jews in the Madinah itself; to share together, to live together
as one society as it was mentioned in the Treaty which the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam
himself signed.”
Fasting on the Day of Ashoorah
Why
we had started to fast on the day of Ashoorah?
Dr. Ahmad al-Dubayan narrated the story behind the start of the fasting on the
Day of Ashoorah. He said, “One of the
things Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe
Wassallam noticed in Madinah; Jews at that time used to celebrate a
certain day. The Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam asked them why
you celebrate this day; they said we celebrate this day thanking Allah Subhanahu
wa Taala because He has saved Moses, the Prophet Moses (peace be upon him)
with his people from the Pharoah of Egypt and to save them from the land there,
to the holy land. The Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam said, we are closer to Moosa then.
Why? Because the call of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam, the message of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam
is Tawheed and the message of the Prophet Moosa (peace be upon him) is Tawheed.
So the Prophets, all of them, came with the same message, the Tawheed, La ilaha Illalah.”
“Anybody
who comes with this, he comes closer to the Prophet and anybody who goes away
from this, he goes away from the Prophet. So the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam said, I am
Prophet, he is Prophet and so I am closer to him. We will then celebrate this;
do this in another way. How? Then the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam asked Muslims
to fast that particular day. At that time the day was the day of Ashoorah,
the tenth day of this month of Muharram, which is coming inshaAllah in
the next Thursday. Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam fasted in that time and he asked
the Companions to fast next year; he said if you fast next year, you fast another
day with it either before or after. This is to be different from the Jewish
community. Muslim community at that time in this ritual would be different.
This is the beginning of it; this is a Sunnah,” Dr. al-Dubayan mentioned.
Expiation of Sins
Dr.
al-Dubayan also said about a Hadith Sahih of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam. He said, “The
Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe
Wassallam said in another Hadith Sahih; I am asking Allah Subhanahu
wa Taala this day to delete the small sins, the minor sins of everybody one
year before; this means if you fast on this day with good intention, of course Allah
Subhanahu wa Taala will remove from your record all the small sins that
was done in the last year; the small ones, not the big ones. The big things;
no. This prayer if you pray every time the small things will be deleted but not
the big things. Big things you have to make Tauba; you have to have the Taubah.
It is very very important.”
“This
is also the same with Ramadan; the same with Jumah, the same with the day of
Arafah; one year after or one year before. Some people think; okay, no problem.
Whatever you did wrongs and then you can fast Arafah or Ashoorah Allah Subhanahu
wa Taala washes away all the sins you have done. Allah will wash away from you and delete the
minors or small ones, not the big ones; not the Riba, not the adultery, not the
violating of the rights of parents. For these big things, no,” mentioned Dr.
Al-Dubayan.
The
day before Ashoorah which is ninth;
in Arabic it is called Teesa, the word comes from the number Teesa. Dr.
al-Dubayan said, “Most Muslims actually fast Taswah which is the 9th and the 10th. Why? In
case, there is a mistake in the beginning of the month and they will definitely
have the 10th day; of course; if you do your best and if you fast
and later on you find that you fast the wrong day not the right day; you follow
the wrong calendar, Allah will reward you for fasting exactly because this is
the best you have done. Allah wanted to do the best; not to know everything
completely absolutely. The absolute knowledge is for Allah Subhanahu wa Taala, not for us.”
Karbala – Martyr of Hazrat Hussein
Dr.
al-Dubyan narrated the history of Karbala – the martyrdom of Hazrat Hussein in
brief. He mentioned, “Fifty days after this, Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam passed away
in the year 11 Hijri. He went for Hajj in the year 10 Hijri. Then the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam
came back. Few months after the Hajj, he passed away, he died. Fifty years
after, Hussein bin Abu Talib was moving to Karbala in Iraq and there he was
killed; he was killed accidently on that day of Ashoorah. That was fifty years after. This means fifty years after
the death of Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam; after Abu Bakr, Umar, Othman, and
Ali himself; then Hussein was killed; the year was 61 Hijri precisely. Of
course everybody was regretting what had happened. Everybody said who killed
him they were criminals, they were wrong; there is no doubt about this. No
Muslims on earth is happy about what had happened that day at all.”
“But
we are also following the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam. We cannot add to the day of Ashoorah anything the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam
did not do it. Some people exaggerate about
this; they make rituals especially for the day which is not Sunnah to show
sadness; for example, to wear black dresses etc. In the Sunnah it is not done
that way. We follow our prophet; to fast this day to follow the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam;
anything else more than the Sunnah don’t do it; that’s the wrong. We said that.
Even the Khulafah Arba, the four
Caliphs, Abu Bakr, Umar, Othman, Ali did not do anything on that day more than
fasting,” mentioned Dr. al-Dubayan.
Bidah
Dr.
al-Dubayan also continued, “This is all created after. It was not even created
50 years after. It was created 300 years after. That was in the third century.
All these rituals you see, all these caravans, festivals, this was created in
the fourth century; not in the first, not in the second. You have to be aware of
this. Other people also make other things; they add certain other things; they do
certain kind of foods, certain people dress themselves white on that day to show
their happiness because of the killing of Hussein. This is something very awful.
Nobody says they are happy about what had happened. This is a matter of rituals;
it is not a matter of traditions. Wearing white, cooking certain food, cooking
rice, giving something – these are all bidah.
That was added all to the Sunnah. The Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam did not do
this. The Four Caliphs did not do it; the great Imams, the Imam Hanifah, the
Imam Safieh, the Imam Maliki, the Imam Ahmad did not do it. These are all
created after. We stick to the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam.
This is very very important I have to mention it.”
Fake
Hadiths relating to Ashoorah
Dr.
al-Dubyan then mentioned some of the fake Hadiths made relating to Ashoorah.
He said, “You will find some fake Hadith; fake made just for Ashoorah; one of them for example, he
who spends more money Allah will give him more money for the year; this is fake
Hadith, it is not true. Somebody fake this to celebrate or to do something.
This is fake, this is not true; not Hadith. Some people drink milk on that particular
day; this is also bidah, this is not
Sunnah. Just follow Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam.”
“When
Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe
Wassallam died, when he passed away, everything in the religion was
clear. He told us everything; nothing hidden; he did not hide anything; he did
not give any special thing to certain people only for other things. The Qur’an
is for all of us; the Sunnah is for all of us; so if anybody told you that some
part of the Qur’an is only for certain people; don’t believe this. If someone
tells you there are some Hadiths only for some people, nobody knows about them
especially for this person; it is not true,” said Dr. al-Dubyan.
Prophet
Mercy for whole Mankind
“Why?
Because Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says
in the Qur’an we just send you as a Mercy for the whole Mankind for the whole
world. How the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam would be mercy for me, for him,
for her for everybody when something is hidden. How come the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam
talk about equality of man; all mankind are equal. Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam said there is
no superiority for any Arab for someone not Arab; for any white for someone who
is black. You are all equal; you are brothers and sisters; your father is one
and your mother is one. And your father is Adam and your mother is Hawwa, Eve.
That means we come from the same father and the same mother. So we always put
borders saying I am better than you and you are better than that,” mentioned
al-Dubyan.
Hijri Calendar
Seven years exactly after the death of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam
Hijri calendar was started. (It will be dealt with in detail in the next issue)
