Importance and Significance of the Month of Muharram

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 15^th 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. 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 in Palestine. 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 in Palestine. 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 9^th and the 10^th. Why? In case, there is a mistake in the beginning of the month and they will definitely have the 10^th 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 Ali 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 fakes 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 is 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 are 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. (dealt in detail in the previous issue)

 

 

 

 

  

Background of the Hijri Calendar

 

Beginning of the Hijri Calendar: Background

Dr. Mozammel Haque

 

Seven years exactly after the death of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam started the Hijri calendar. We are now in 1446 Hijri which means Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam moved from Makkah to Madinah 1446 years ago. Hijrah means migration in Arabic. The Hijri calendar follows the moon; it is the lunar calendar. It is not the solar like the Gregorian calendar following the Sun. Hijri calendar follows the movement of the Moon itself. Whenever there is a new Moon starts, then a new month starts according to the Hijri calendar.

 Hijri Calendar: Background

Dr. Ahmad al-Dubayan the Director General of the Islamic Cultural Centre & The Regents Park Central London Mosque, has delivered a lecture on the occasion of the beginning of Muharram on Saturday, 15 September 2018 as well as to the Muslim community at the Islamic Circle on Saturday 22 September 2018. He was dealing both the importance of the month of Muharram, fasting during Ashoorah and the beginning of the Hijri calendar. I have already written about the importance and significance of the month of Muharram as well as about the fasting on the day of Ashoorah. And I promised in my last writing that I will inshaAllah deal with the beginning of Hijrah Calendar in my next issue.

Speaking about the beginning of Hijri calendar, Dr. al-Dubayan enquired first, how this Islamic calendar starts. And immediately answered, “The Islamic calendar did not start during the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam and did not start during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr Siddique RA. But they started during the days of Umar bin Khattab, the second Caliph. During his time actually it is the real beginning of the administration of Islamic state, more than the days of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam, more than the days of Abu Bakr Siddique. The days of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam was the time for the foundation; the call of Islam; then Abu Bakr Siddique’s time was very short; to be six months about.”

 

How did this happen? Dr. al-Dubayan said, “During the days of Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam there was no date; no calendar during the days of Abu Bakr Siddique RA also. During the Caliphate of Umar bin Khattab RA we all know I think Umar bin Khattab is the first one who expanded the Muslim state. He was the first one who faced all these problems of management, problem of financial states of the whole Muslim state, the Muslim Ummah and that’s why he puts order for the army’s, he orders for Zakah, he orders for the money of those people who cannot work; those people who are disabled, or whatever they have monthly payment from the Baitul Maal, present day equal to Ministry of Finance. That was all happened during the days of Umar bin Khattab because during his days he had lot of problems.”

Hijri calendar started during second

Caliph Umar bin Khattab RA

Speaking about the background of the beginning of Hijri calendar, Dr. al-Dubayan mentioned, “Umar bin Khattab was the second Caliph. The state expanded everywhere and they had new problems; they faced for the first time some problems and that’s why actually it was needed to have started a system for the regulation of the country or for the state which was very big at that time. From that time the regulation started. Many of the things were made during the days of Umar bin Khattab. One of the things is the Hijri calendar.”

“Umar bin Khattab one day received a letter from Basra, Iraq and there was no date in it; they talked about something happened or going to happen in Shabaan. Shabaan is the eighth month of the Hijri calendar. When Umar bin Khattab received the letter at that moment he did not know which Shabaan they meant: next one or the other one after or may be the last one. So he wrote back to Iraq saying I don’t know which Shabaan you meant. Caliph Umar bin Khattab called the council of consultation. He used to call every time to ask about the problems, to have always Shura or consultation with the Shahabas to ask their opinions and he put this problem to them,” mentioned Dr. al-Dubayan.

 Umar bin Khattab consulted with Shoura

The ICC Director General narrated the story how the Hijri calendar was evolved. He said, “Caliph Umar bin Khattab called the meeting of the Shoura; asked them. He said, now we have some letters we don’t know what exactly they meant with the time.  One of the companions said we should have our calendar. Then Umar bin Khattab asked how this calendar is done by other empires or nations. He asked about the Persians, how they do it? They do it every time whenever there is a new king they started a new calendar. Then when the king died; they started a new calendar with the new king. Then he asked about the Romans, how they did it? Someone told him they started from the birth of Jesus Christ Issa alayhes Salam. Then someone told him the Romans in those days used to have calendar starting from the birth of the Jesus Christ alayhe wa Salam. The Arabs, before the Prophet Muhammad Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam, in the pre-Islamic time, did not have calendar but they used to take events as dates; for example, one year there is disease or epidemic, they started to say that happened before the disease two years or after two years.”

Then Dr. al-Dubayan mentioned how the people of the pre-Islamic days remembered the dates. He said, “We see during the life of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam. The Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam was born in the year of the elephant. Why? Because that was the first time the people of Makkah saw an elephant, an animal when an army came from Yemen to destroy the Ka’abah at that time; so they saw the elephant. From that moment Arabs started to call that year, the year of elephant. And that year when the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam was born about 570 or 571, according to the Gregorian calendar. Then if there is something happened, they incidentally take that in the calendar.

 

Hijri calendar started from Hijrah (migration)

Dr. al-Dubayan then mentioned how the Hijrah was taken as the starting point of the Islamic Calendar. He said, “Caliph Umar asked, what would be the year number one in the calendar? Then some companions suggested from the very beginning from the birth of Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam. Other companions suggested from the death of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam. Then Ali ibn Abu Talib and Abdur Rahman ibn Awf suggested actually lets do the first year of the Hijrah here because Hijrah is the beginning of the Islamic society in Madinah. It is the beginning of the rising glory of Islam. They started the Hijrah. Then Umar said it is better. Hijrah will be the number one. They started from the Hijrah of course. Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam died in 11 Hijri. That time they were in 17 Hijri; they were at that time in the 17 year of the Hijrah. From that day the whole Ummah formed the Hijri calendar started from the first Hijrah when the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam moved from Makkah to Madinah.”

 Which month the first month of Hijri calendar

This decision to start the Islamic calendar from Hijrah was taken. When did this happen? It happened during the year 17 Hijrah. The next question came: which month would be the first month of the Hijri calendar. Dr. al-Dubayan mentioned: “Caliph Umar said, we have twelve months which one will be the beginning?  The first one, of course, some people suggested Ramadan; it is better from Ramadan to be the first month of the calendar because Ramadan is the month of syam fasting, the holy month; the month of the Qur’an; so it is better to start the year with it. Another one said no; suggested that to start with Hajj; it is better because Hajj is going to Makkah; it should be the first month of the year.  Then Umar bin Khattab said: no, we will take Muharram the first month of the Hijri calendar; Muharram is the sacred month; the four sacred month of the year; and also it is better when the people finish their Hajj they go home and then the new year starts with when they arrives their home.; why because I wanted the people to do the Hajj the last month; when they moved going out of Makkah the New Year starts; that was the plan of Umar RA.”

 “So they agreed that Muharram would be the first month of the Islamic calendar year and of course till Dhul Hijjah which is the 12^th month of year. For that moment, they agreed to have the Islamic calendar actually. It was used and still use by many Muslims around the world,” Dr al-Dubayan mentioned.

The ICC chief said, “They put the month of Muharram, this month the beginning of the new calendar and finish with the month of Hajj and now the new calendar started immediately after the Hajj. So Hajj will be the last thing they do; because it is the fifth pillar of Islam. It would be at the end of the year. This is why the companions of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam planned for it. And from that moment the calendar for the Muslim Ummah started. Now we are in the year 1440 of the Hijri. So when Prophet Sallalahu Alayhe Wassallam moved from Makkah to Madinah that was 1440 years ago. Now we start 1440 of the Hijri calendar. I hope you can use the Hijri calendar. Of course we can hope all calendars are important.”

 First published in 2018

 

The Month of Muharram - Its Importance and Significance

The Month of Muharram:

Its Importance and Significance

                                     Dr. Mozammel Haque

 

The Islamic Calendar is based on the Lunar Calendar consisting of 354-355 days annually and is 10-11 days shorter than the Solar Calendar. The Lunar month is based on the time it takes the moon to complete a single orbit around the earth and it is just over 29 and half days. There are many advantages to the Lunar Calendar. For example, the various dates in the Islamic Calendar such as Ramadan and Hajj rotate every year and are not fixed like the Solar year. People, therefore, will perform acts of worship in various climatic conditions and in different length of hours in submission to the Will of Allah where human imagination plays no part. 

Origin of the Hijri Calendar 

The Islamic Calendar was first introduced by the close companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the second Caliph Umar ibn Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) in 16 AH/637 AD. During his leadership of the Muslim community in approximately, 637 AD, he consulted with his advisors in order to come to a decision regarding the various dating systems used at that time. It was agreed that the appropriate reference point for the Islamic Calendar was the Hijrah, since it was an important turning point for the Muslim community. The event of Hijrah, the migration of the Beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) from Makkah to Madinah in 622 AD was chosen to begin the Islamic Calendar because it was the first major sacrifice made by the whole Muslim Ummah for the preservation of Islam in its formative period. After the emigration to Madinah (formerly known as Yathrib), the Muslims were able to organise and establish the first real Muslim community, the real Islamic state with social, political, and economic independence. 

Muharram the First Month

of the Islamic Calendar 

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic Calendar. There are twelve months in the Islamic Calendar. As the Qur'an says: Lo! The number of the months with Allāh is twelve months by Allāh’s Ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them...(Al-Qur'an - 9:36) "It is He Who made the sun to be a shining glory, and the moon to be a light of beauty, and measured out stages for it, that you might know the number of years and the count of time. Allah did not create this except in truth and righteousness. And He explains His signs in detail, for those who understand" (10:5).

 In his final sermon before his death, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, among other things, "With Allah the months are twelve; four of them are holy; three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumaada and Sha'ban." The four sacred months (al-Asshhur al-Hurum) are Rajab, Dhul Qa‘dah, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram. Out of the four sacred months, Muharram has been blessed with certain specific virtues.

 The companions were also consulted on which month should mark the beginning of the year, Caliph Umar al-Khattab and Uthman ibn Affaan (May Allah be pleased with them), chose Al-Muharram due to it being a sacred month and because it follows the month of Dhul Hijjah, which is when the Muslims perform Hajj – or the pilgrimage, which was the last pillar of Islam that Allah enjoined upon the Muslims. Al-Muharram also follows the month in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) pledged allegiance to the Ansar (his Madinain supporters) to emigrate to Madinah and this pledge of Allegiance was one of the introductory acts of emigration.

 Due to all these reasons, Al-Muharram was deemed the most suitable month to begin the Islamic Calendar. Muharram the first month of the Islamic Calendar, were considered sacred. Muharram is so called because it was unlawful to fight during this month; the word is derived from the word “haram” meaning forbidden. The month of Muharram is also of great religious significance to Muslims the world over. It is held to be the most sacred of all the months, excluding Ramadan. The word “Muharram” is often considered synonymous with “Ashura”, the tenth day of the month of Muharram.

 Fasting in the month of Muharram

Fasting is advocated in the month of Muharram. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are those of the month of Muharram.” Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, yet one who fasts in these days out of his own will is entitled to a great reward by Allah the Almighty. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadhan is the fasting of Allah's month of Muharram." (Muslim)

 

In another Hadeeth, Ibn Abbas 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 cited 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.

10th day of Muharram (Aashora)

Although the month of Muharram is a sacred month as a whole, the 10th 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. Some ulama (Scholars) are of the opinion that before the fasts of Ramadan, the fast of the day of Ashura was compulsory upon the Ummah. This is stated in a Hadith reported by A'ishah that the beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered the observance of the fast of Ashura.

 However, when the fast of Ramadan became compulsory, then whosoever wished, kept this fast and whosoever desired did not observe the fast. (Bukhari) Ibn Abbas reported, “I did not see Rasulullah sallallahu 'alayhi wassallam anxiously await the fast of any day, which he gave preference to over other days, but this day, the day of Ashura.” (Bukhari) It is also said by scholars that since the beginning of this world, Ashura day has been a very important day. On this day great signs of Allah’s power and glory have appeared in the world. On this day many Prophets were born and they were instituted to the office of prophecy. On this day, Prophets, Saints and Sincere servants of Allah were blessed with miracles and spiritual powers.

 On Ashura Day the followings have taken place:

1. Repentance of Prophet Adam (Allah’s blessing be upon him) was accepted by Allah

2. The ship of Prophet Nuh (Noah) (Allah’s blessing be upon him) came to rest on a mountain called Al-Judi.

3. Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) was born on this day. 4. He got the title Khalil-ullah (friend of Allah) on this day.

5. The fire in which Prophet Ibrahim (Allah’s blessings be upon him) was thrown by the king Namrud become cool and means of safety for Prophet Ibrahim, by the order of Allah.

6. Allah delivered Prophet Ayub (Job) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) from distress and he was restored to prosperity.

7. By the Grace of Allah, Prophet Yunas (Jonah) (Allah’s blessings be upon him), after being swallowed by a huge fish (whale) for forty days, was casted out on the shore.

8. Prophet Musa (Moses) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) got victory over Pharaoh.

9. Prophet Suleman (Solomon) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) was made a king to rule over mankind, Jins, Animals and the air.

10. Prophet Idris (Enoch) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) and Prophet Issa (Jesus) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) were lifted up alive.

11. Imam Hussain (Allah be pleased with him), the grandson of our beloved Prophet, got martyred at Karbala in Iraq.

12. The day of resurrection and judgement will take place on this day (Ashura) (Ghunia-Al-Talibeen & Tafseer-e-Sawi)

Fasting on the Day of Ashura

(10^th of Muharram)

The practice of fasting on Ashura was known even in the days of Jahiliyyah, before the Prophet's mission. It was reported that A'ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: “The people of Jahiliyyah used to fast on that day.” It is also reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to fast on Ashura in Makkah, before he migrated to Madinah. Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'The best of fasting after Ramadan is fasting Allah's month of Muharram.'” (Reported by Muslim, 1982)

Fasting on the day of Ashura (10th Muharram) According to the Holy companion, Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him), when the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam) migrated to Madinah, he found that the Jews of Madinah used to fast on the 10th 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 preceded or succeeded by an additional fast. It means that one should fast two days: the 9th and 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th . The reason of this additional fast as mentioned by the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam was that the Jews used to fast on the day of Ashura alone, and the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam wanted to distinguish the Islamic-way of fasting from that of the Jews. Therefore, he advised Muslims to add another fast to the day of Ashura. Let us observe this great day according to the way of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and refrain from all innovations which deprive us of the blessings from Allāh the Almighty. May Allāh guide us all upon the Straight Path and save us from every act which brings His Displeasure. Āmeen.

Published First in November 2013 The Muslim Weekly, London &

The Muslim World, Pakistan, in January 2014