This article is taken from Owh So Muslim (OSM) : https://www.facebook.com/Owhsomuslim. Please visit the facebook and read other articles. Jazakumullahu khair to the team of OSM for spreading Islam in a creative way.
01: The Hijiri (Islamic) calendar is very similar to the
Gregorian calendar that we’d usually use and refer to in our daily lives (such
as the month of January, February, etc).
As Muslims, we should also take note on the months of Islam! The Hijiri
calendar consists of 12 months in a year, with 354 or 355 days. The calendar
begins with Muharram, followed by Safar, Rab-ul Awal, Rab-ul Akhir,
Jumada-Awal, Jumada-Akhir, Rajab, Sha’ban, Ramadhan, Syawal, Dhul-Qidah and
ends with Dhul-Hijjah.
Related verse from the Quran:
“Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year) so was it
ordained by Allah on the day, when He created the Heaven and the Earth; of them
four are sacred” [ At-Tawbah 9:36]
02: The month of Muharram is special, for it is
one of the 4 sacred months in the Hijiri calendar. The other 3 other sacred
months other than Muharram are: Dhul-Qaidah, Dhul-Hijjah and Rejab.
Related verse from the Quran:
“Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve
months (in a year) so was it ordained by Allah on the day, when He created the
Heaven and the Earth; of them four are sacred” [ At-Tawbah 9:36]
Related hadith:
The Prophet (s.a.w) said :“The year is of twelve months,
four of which are sacred; three consecutive months, Dhul-Qidah, Dhul-Hijjah,
and Muharram and Rejab…” [Al-Bukhari # 2511]
03: As a sacred month, it’s best to increase in
doing good deeds such as fasting and sadaqah! And by sacred, it signifies the
importance, status and adoration of this month by Allah! In fact, good deeds
done during these months will be more greatly rewarded, insyallah.
Related hadith:
The Prophet (pbuh) said: “The best month of fasting
after Ramadhan is the month of Allah - Muharram” [Sahih Muslim]
04: The day of ‘Asyura is greatly related to the story
concerning Prophet Musa (or Moses a.s), where he was saved by Allah by his
enemies and Firaun at the Red Sea. When Prophet Musa (a.s) was cornered by
Firaun and his army, he asked Allah to help him escape.
Related hadith:
Narrated by Ibn Abbas (r.a): The Prophet (s.a.w.) came to Madinah and found the
Jews fasting on the day of ‘Asyura. He asked them: “Why are you fasting on this
day?” They said: “This ia a great day, Allah saved the Prophet Musa (a.s) and
the tribes of Israil from their enemies, and therefore Musa (a.s) fasted to it”.
The prophet (pbuh) said: “We have more right to Musa (a.s) than you”. So he
fasted on that day also and ordered the people to fast as well. [Al-Bukhari
& Muslim]
05: To fast on the day of ‘Asyura is the highlight of the
month of Muharram. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) observed fasting on this day to
express his gratitude to Allah, hence, we Muslims should too.
Take note that it is permissible to fast on the day of ‘Asyura only, but it is
better to fast a day before OR after as this is a sunnah act.
Fasting of ‘Asyura can be on the 9th and 10th of Muharram OR 10th and 11th of
Muharram.
Did you know that the reward of fasting of the day of ‘Asyura is an expiation
(deletion) of sins for the year before? Masyallah!
Related hadiths:
When the Prophet (pbuh) fasted on the day of ‘Asyura, the people told him that
this is a day that the Jews and Christians honour. The Prophet (pbuh) said:
“When the following year comes, Allah willing, we shall fast both of the 9th
and 10th day of Muharram” (That is to be different from the Jews and the
Christians). The Prophet (pbuh) however passed away before the following year.
[Muslim]
Narrated by Ibn Abbas (r.a): “I have never saw the Prophet more keen to fast on
any day than the day of ‘Asyura, and any month than the month of Ramadhan”.
[Al-Bukhari]
The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Fasting on the day of ‘Asyura, I hope will be an
expiation of sins for the year before”. [Sahih Muslim, vol 1 # 368]
