Be Careful throughout the Sacred Month of Muharram
by Asma bint Shameem
Alhamdulillaah, the month of Muharram is upon us and we start one other Hijri yr, bi idhnillaah.
Just because the devout Muslim eagerly awaits any chance to earn good deeds and gain Allaah’s Pleasure, and is cautious to not transgress any boundaries, we too, ought to put together ourselves for this month of Muharram.
This is as a result of Muharram is without doubt one of the 4 months which can be SACRED within the eyes of Allaah.
Allaah says:
“Verily, the number of months with Allaah is twelve (in a year): It was so ordained, by Allaah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four are sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein…” [al-Tawbah 9:36]
These 4 months, in accordance with the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) are Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. (al-Bukhaari)
1. Do a LOT of EXTRA GOOD DEEDS this Month
Due to its sacredness, good deeds throughout this month carry a larger reward than in different months. They are weightier within the sight of Allaah and greater in ajr, out of the Mercy and Generosity of al-Rahmaan, al-Kareem.
Ibn ‘Abbaas mentioned: “Good deeds done during the four sacred months bring a greater reward.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer)
So pay additional consideration to all good deeds you are able to do.
Take benefit of each alternative you discover your approach and do not let it go.
Do your greatest and pay additional consideration to salah, reciting Qur’aan, giving charity, maintaining ties of kinship, serving to somebody out or just simply being good to your loved ones.
Included within the good deeds can also be fasting.
2. FAST as a lot as you are capable of:
Fasting throughout the month of Muharram has a really particular which means and reward, identified solely to Allaah and thus the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) has extremely inspired it.
In truth, it is essentially the most beloved of fasting to Allaah after the fasting of Ramadhaan.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam mentioned:
‘The better of fasting after Ramadhaan is fasting Allaah’s month of Muharram.'” (Muslim 1163)
So quick a lot of this particular month if you’re in a position.
Or not less than do the perfect you may… as fasting this month is certainly particular and the perfect after the fardh fasting of Ramadhaan.
3. Earn double reward!
If you have got fasts that that you simply owe from Ramadhaan, you may quick in Muharram and get double reward, insha Allaah….one for making up the fardh quick of Ramadhaan and one for fasting within the month of Muharram.
Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen mentioned:
“Whoever fasts on the day of ‘Arafah or ‘Ashoora’, and still owes some days from Ramadaan, his fast is valid. But if he has the intention of fasting this day to make up for a missed Ramadaan fast, he will have two rewards – one for the day of ‘Arafah or ‘Ashoora’ and another for making up the missed fast. This applies to all voluntary fasts that are not connected to Ramadaan.”
(Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 20/438).
4. Fast on the Day of ‘Aashooraa (tenth of Muharram)
If you are unable to quick a lot of this month, then not less than do your greatest to quick the tenth.
It was the observe of our beloved Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam and his Sahaabah.
Ibn ‘Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu
mentioned:
“The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) got here to Madeenah and noticed the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Aashooraa’.
He mentioned, ‘What is that this?’
They mentioned, ‘This is a righteous day, it’s the day when Allaah saved the Children of Israel from their enemies, so Moosa fasted on at the present time.’
He (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) mentioned, ‘We have extra proper to Moosa than you,’ so he fasted on that day and commanded (the Muslims) to quick on that day.” (al-Bukhaari)
5.Get your sins of final yr forgiven!
If you quick on the tenth of Muharram, Allaah will forgive all of the (minor) sins of the earlier yr.
Subhaan Allaah! What a blessing!
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) mentioned:
“For fasting the day of ‘Aashooraa’, I hope that Allaah will accept it as expiation for the year that went before.” (Muslim)
And Ibn ‘Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu mentioned:
“I never saw the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam so keen to fast any day and give it priority over any other than this day, the day of ‘Aashooraa’.” (al-Bukhaari)
6. It is Mustahabb to quick the ninth of Muharram as properly
It is nice to quick on each the ninth AND the tenth day, as a result of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam fasted on the tenth, and he meant to quick on the ninth as properly, the approaching yr.
Ibn ‘Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu mentioned:
“When the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam fasted on ‘Aashooraa’ and commanded the Muslims to quick as properly, they mentioned, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, it’s a day that’s commemorated by the Jews and Christians.’
The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam mentioned,
‘If I stay to see the following yr, in sha Allaah, we’ll quick on the ninth day too.’
But it so occurred that the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam handed away earlier than the following yr got here.” (Muslim 1916).
7. What if I can not quick on the ninth for some motive?
If for some motive, you aren’t capable of quick on the ninth, then in that case you may quick on the eleventh of Muharram, along with fasting on the tenth.
8. What if I can quick on the tenth ONLY…..is that okay?
If you may quick on the tenth solely and for some motive, can’t add the quick of the ninth or eleventh to it, the Ulama say that it is usually permissible.
Ibn Taymiyyah mentioned:
“Fasting the day of ‘Aashooraa’ is expiation for one year, and it is not makrooh to single out this day for fasting.” (Fataawa al-Kubra)
9. Be EXTRA CAREFUL about SINS this month
Because Muharram is without doubt one of the sacred months, any dangerous deeds accomplished throughout any of the sacred months are WORSE than in different months.
So be additional cautious and watch these eyes, ears and limbs.
Guard that tongue and shield your self from all wrongdoing.
Qatadah mentioned:
“Wrongdoing throughout the sacred months is extra severe and extra sinful that wrongdoing at every other time.
Wrongdoing at any time is a severe matter, however Allaah offers extra weight to whichever of His instructions He desires….”
(Tafseer Ibn Katheer)
*Some Misconceptions and Baseless Traditions in Muharram*
There are many improper traditions associated with the Day of Aashooraa and Muharram, which don’t have anything to do with the Sharee’ah.
We should watch out and guard ourselves from falling into these improper traditions and bid’ah as a result of this itself is sin.
1) Thinking that Aashooraa’ is sacred due to the dying of Hussain radhi Allaahu anhu.
Some individuals suppose that the sanctity and honor of the day of Aashooraa is as a result of martyrdom of Hussain, radhi Allaahu anhu.
Of course, indisputably, the incidence of Hussain radhi Allaahu anhu and his Shahaadah is without doubt one of the most tragic episodes of our historical past.
However, the sanctity of ‘Aashooraa’ isn’t due to this occasion.
Actually, the sanctity of ‘Aashooraa’ was already established throughout the time of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam by the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam *himself*, lengthy earlier than Hussain radhi Allaahu anhu was even born!
2) Thinking that Muharram is “UNLUCKY”
Some individuals take into account Muharram an evil or unfortunate month, as a result of Hussain, radhi Allaahu anhu was killed in it.
So they do not maintain weddings, and different celebrations throughout this month.
Thinking that one can’t achieve this, is once more a baseless idea, which is opposite to the teachings of the Qur’aan and the Sunnah.
The month of Muharram is neither unfortunate or fortunate.
Believing in such issues is superstition and is committing a sort of shirk since one is associating a particular occasion or month with having energy to hurt or do good and solely Allaah is the One Who has energy over all issues.
3) Cooking ‘particular’ sorts of meals and distributing it on the tenth particularly.
Some individuals suppose it’s Sunnah to organize a specific sort of meal on the tenth, (equivalent to Khitchra, haleem, or different particular dishes) and distribute it to the poor individuals.
And they maintain huge gatherings for this goal, considering there may be particular reward for doing so.
This, once more has no foundation within the Sharee’ah.
4) Mourning and lamenting
Some individuals mourn and lament and cry over the dying of Hussain radhi Allaahu anhu and maintain these particular ‘mourning ceremonies’ for this very goal.
However, the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam by no means held ‘mourning ceremonies’ for ANY of his pricey relations or his beloved Sahaabah after that they had handed away.
In truth he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam FORBADE us from holding mourning ceremonies on the dying of any individual, as a result of this was the observe of the individuals of jahiliyyah (ignorance).
He Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) mentioned:
“He is not from our group who slaps his checks, tears his clothes and cries in the manner of the people of jahiliyyah.” (al-Bukhaari)
And for those who actually give it some thought, is not it the best honor and the best reward that Hussain radhi Allaahu anhu acquired, when he achieved Shahadah for the sake of Allaah?
Isn’t that the BEST approach of dying?
The time and method of dying is mounted for each single individual and that’s the decree of Allaah.
NOTHING can change that.
And if Allaah had written for Hussain radhi Allaahu anhu to realize shahaadah at the moment, then wouldn’t it even have been doable in any approach for an individual to ‘change’ that?
Would there be any reward or good in mourning that?
Should a great Muslim not readily settle for the Decree of Allaah, below all circumstances in any respect?
5) Celebrating the tenth of Muharram
Some individuals go to the opposite excessive and so they costume up and cook dinner particular dishes, and many others. as a sort of a ‘happy’ celebration for this Day and that’s ALSO towards the Qur’aan and Sunnah.
6) Thinking there’s particular reward for sure actions on the tenth of Muharram
Others maintain particular prayers or supply sacrifice or go to the graves, particularly on the tenth of Muharram, considering that there’s particular reward or which means for doing so, though there is no proof of that within the Shari’ah. It’s higher to stay away from such beliefs and actions.
Should we congratulate one another on the brand new Hijri yr
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen mentioned:
“If somebody presents you congratulations, then reply to him, however don’t provoke such greetings. This is the proper view regarding this matter…
I have no idea of any report that our pious predecessors congratulated each other on the event of the brand new yr, quite the salaf didn’t regard the primary of Muharram as the primary day of the brand new yr till the Khilaafah of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab radhi Allaahu anhu.”
And Imaam Ahmad mentioned:
“I don’t provoke the greeting but when somebody greets me I return the greeting, as a result of responding to the greeting is compulsory. But being the primary to supply congratulations is neither Sunnah nor forbidden.
In Conclusion:
Our habits throughout this month must be just like the habits of the Sahaabah, not one in all mourning, neither one in all celebration.
Rather, we must always worth Muharram as one in all Allaah’s sacred months wherein we must always attempt to do good deeds and be additional cautious of sinning.
We ought to try to quick as a lot as we will on this month, particularly the ninth and tenth.
We shouldn’t be superstitious about it (or about anything, for that matter) and if somebody desires to get married throughout this month, they could achieve this.
We shouldn’t cook dinner particular meals on the tenth and if somebody invitations us to such a meal, cooked for this goal, we must always not go.
And Allaah is aware of greatest.
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