From out of the four sacred months, Muharram has been blessed with certain specific virtues. The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadhaan is the fasting of Allah's month of Muharram and the best of salaat besides the fardh (compulsory) salaat is the tahajjud salaat (performed after midnight before dawn).
(Muslim Vol.1 Page 368)
In another hadeeth, Ibne Abbas radhiyallahu anhu reports that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: He who fasts on the day of Arafah (9th Zil Hijjah), his fast will be a compensation for the sins of two years and 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, At Targheeb Wat Tarheeb Vol.2 Page 114.)
THE DAY OF AASHOORAA (10th MUHARRAM)
The tenth day of this sacred month, Muharram is known as Aashooraa. It is one of the most important and blessed days of Allah in the Islaamic calendar. Some ulamaa (scholars) are of the opinion that before the fasts of Ramadhaan were made compulsory, the fast of the day of Aashooraa was compulsory upon the ummah. This is stated in a hadeeth reported by Aaishah radhiyallahu anha that the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam ordered the observance of the fast of Aashooraa. However, when the fast of Ramadhaan became compulsory, then whosoever wished, kept this fast and whosoever desired did not observe this fast.
(Bukhari Vol.1 Page 268)
But, nevertheless the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam continued to fast this day and encouraged his Companions to do the same. Ibne Abbas radhiyallahu anhu says: I did not see Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam anxiously await the fast of any day, which he gave preference to over other days, but this day, the day of Aashooraa.
(Bukhari Vol.1 Page 268)
Humayd Ibne Abdur Rahamaan narrates that he heard Mu'aawiyah Ibne Abi Sufyaan radhiyallahu anhu on the day of 'Aashooraa, during the year he performed hajj, saying on the pulpit: "O the people of Madinah! Where are your ulaama (scholars)? I heard Rasullullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam saying: This is the day of Aashooraa. Allah has not enjoined its fasting on you but I am fasting it. Whosoever wish, keep (this) fast and whosoever desires do not observe (this fast)."
(Bukhari Vol.1 Page 268)
In another hadeeth, Ibne Abbas radhiyallahu anhu narrates that the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam came to Madinah and found the Jews fasting on the day of Aashooraa. Hence the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam inquired of them, "What is (the significance of) this day on which you fast?" They replied, "This is a great day. On this day Allah saved Moosa and his people and drowned Fir'awn and his nation. Thus Moosa alayhis salaam fasted on this day as a token of thanksgiving, therefore we too fast on this day." The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "We are more worthy of Moosa and nearer to him than you." Thereafter, the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam fasted on this day and ordered (his Companions) that a fast be kept on this day."
(Muslim Vol.1 Page 359)
RECOMMENDED DEEDS ON THE DAY OF AASHOORAA
* The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam has exhorted and encouraged his ummah to fast on this day. Abu Qataadah radhiyallahu anhu narrates that the Holy Prophet sallahllahu alayhi wasallam was asked regarding the fast of the day of Aashooraa. The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam replied: "It is a compensation for the (minor) sins of the past year".
(Muslim Vol.1 Page 368)
NOTE:- It must be borne in mind that wherever a promise of forgiveness of sins is made upon the fulfilment of some action, it is only the minor sins that are forgiven. The major sins are not forgiven without true tawbah (repentance).
* 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. Ibne Abbas radhiyallahu anhu said: When Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam observed the fast of the day of Aashooraa and ordered (his Companions) to fast, they said, "O Rasulullah! It is a day revered by the Jews and Christians." Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "The coming year, if Allah wills, we will fast on the ninth (also)".
(Muslim Vol.1 Page 359)
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 should fast on the eleventh of Muharram instead. The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: "Observe the fast of Aashooraa and oppose the Jews. Fast a day before it or a day after."
(Bayhaqi)
Hence, it is important to either fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram or the tenth and eleventh. To fast only on the day of Aashooraa is makrooh tanzeehi as stated by Allamah Ibne Aabideen Shaami.
* One should be generous on one's family and dependants and spend more on them than what is normally spent. Abu Hurayrah radhiyallahu anhu reports that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: "One who generously spends on his family on the day of Aashooraa, Allah will increase (his provision) for the whole year".
(Bayhaqi, At Targheeb Wat Tarheeb Vol.2 Page 116)
These are the only actions supported by ahaadeeth.
(Muslim Vol.1 Page 368)
In another hadeeth, Ibne Abbas radhiyallahu anhu reports that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: He who fasts on the day of Arafah (9th Zil Hijjah), his fast will be a compensation for the sins of two years and 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, At Targheeb Wat Tarheeb Vol.2 Page 114.)
THE DAY OF AASHOORAA (10th MUHARRAM)
The tenth day of this sacred month, Muharram is known as Aashooraa. It is one of the most important and blessed days of Allah in the Islaamic calendar. Some ulamaa (scholars) are of the opinion that before the fasts of Ramadhaan were made compulsory, the fast of the day of Aashooraa was compulsory upon the ummah. This is stated in a hadeeth reported by Aaishah radhiyallahu anha that the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam ordered the observance of the fast of Aashooraa. However, when the fast of Ramadhaan became compulsory, then whosoever wished, kept this fast and whosoever desired did not observe this fast.
(Bukhari Vol.1 Page 268)
But, nevertheless the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam continued to fast this day and encouraged his Companions to do the same. Ibne Abbas radhiyallahu anhu says: I did not see Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam anxiously await the fast of any day, which he gave preference to over other days, but this day, the day of Aashooraa.
(Bukhari Vol.1 Page 268)
Humayd Ibne Abdur Rahamaan narrates that he heard Mu'aawiyah Ibne Abi Sufyaan radhiyallahu anhu on the day of 'Aashooraa, during the year he performed hajj, saying on the pulpit: "O the people of Madinah! Where are your ulaama (scholars)? I heard Rasullullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam saying: This is the day of Aashooraa. Allah has not enjoined its fasting on you but I am fasting it. Whosoever wish, keep (this) fast and whosoever desires do not observe (this fast)."
(Bukhari Vol.1 Page 268)
In another hadeeth, Ibne Abbas radhiyallahu anhu narrates that the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam came to Madinah and found the Jews fasting on the day of Aashooraa. Hence the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam inquired of them, "What is (the significance of) this day on which you fast?" They replied, "This is a great day. On this day Allah saved Moosa and his people and drowned Fir'awn and his nation. Thus Moosa alayhis salaam fasted on this day as a token of thanksgiving, therefore we too fast on this day." The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "We are more worthy of Moosa and nearer to him than you." Thereafter, the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam fasted on this day and ordered (his Companions) that a fast be kept on this day."
(Muslim Vol.1 Page 359)
RECOMMENDED DEEDS ON THE DAY OF AASHOORAA
* The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam has exhorted and encouraged his ummah to fast on this day. Abu Qataadah radhiyallahu anhu narrates that the Holy Prophet sallahllahu alayhi wasallam was asked regarding the fast of the day of Aashooraa. The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam replied: "It is a compensation for the (minor) sins of the past year".
(Muslim Vol.1 Page 368)
NOTE:- It must be borne in mind that wherever a promise of forgiveness of sins is made upon the fulfilment of some action, it is only the minor sins that are forgiven. The major sins are not forgiven without true tawbah (repentance).
* 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. Ibne Abbas radhiyallahu anhu said: When Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam observed the fast of the day of Aashooraa and ordered (his Companions) to fast, they said, "O Rasulullah! It is a day revered by the Jews and Christians." Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "The coming year, if Allah wills, we will fast on the ninth (also)".
(Muslim Vol.1 Page 359)
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 should fast on the eleventh of Muharram instead. The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: "Observe the fast of Aashooraa and oppose the Jews. Fast a day before it or a day after."
(Bayhaqi)
Hence, it is important to either fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram or the tenth and eleventh. To fast only on the day of Aashooraa is makrooh tanzeehi as stated by Allamah Ibne Aabideen Shaami.
* One should be generous on one's family and dependants and spend more on them than what is normally spent. Abu Hurayrah radhiyallahu anhu reports that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: "One who generously spends on his family on the day of Aashooraa, Allah will increase (his provision) for the whole year".
(Bayhaqi, At Targheeb Wat Tarheeb Vol.2 Page 116)
These are the only actions supported by ahaadeeth.
Dr. Y. Huzair
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