Muharram is one of the four sacred months in Islam and holds many benefits Photo ZamZam
World – During certain blessed moments and places, we are given a wealth of opportunities to seek the mercy, love and blessings of Allah (SWT). Muharram is one of those cherished times. One of the four sacred months in Islam, it’s a beautiful opportunity to seek His (SWT) mercy and feel closer to Him (SWT) in our hearts.
These four months are Dhul Qa’dah, Dhul Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. According to Mufti Ubaidullah Ebrahim, these months were made sacred by Allah (SWT) before the world even existed. The month of Muharram is often referred to as the month of Allah (SWT).
Abu Huraira (RA) reported Allah’s Messenger (SAW) as saying: “The most excellent fast after Ramadan is God’s month. al-Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night.” (Sahih Muslim 1163a)
What makes Muharram so special
Along with being from among the sacred months, Muharram has other characteristics which are exclusive to it. These characteristics emphasise the importance of the month and the blessings it comes with.
“It is mentioned that this is the month of Allah (SWT). When things are attributed to Allah (SWT), it is done for the purpose of showing importance. The masjid is sacred because it is called the house of Allah (SWT). It is attributed to Allah (SWT). The month of Muharram becomes extra sacred because it is associated with Allah (SWT). It is also virtuous to fast in this month. If you compare it to Rabi ul Awal for example, the fast of Muharram will be more virtuous.”
In this very sacred month, we find the Day of Ashura. The 10th of Muharram has always been a very auspicious day even before the world was created. Many significant events occurred on this day, explained Mufti Ebrahim
“Many important things happened on the Day of Ashura throughout the ages. Hazrat Nooh (AS), when the ark settled down on Mount Judi, it was the 10th of Muharram. When Hazrat Moosa (AS) crossed the sea with Bani Israel, it was the 10th of Muharram. Many things happened on this day.”
Ibn Abbas was asked about observing of fast on the Day of Ashura, whereupon he said: “I do not know Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) singling out any day’s fast and considering it more excellent than another, except this day (the Day of Ashura) and this month, meaning the month of Ramadan.” (Sahih Muslim 1132a)
When it comes to observing this special day, one must take note of a few things.
“A person should fast the day before or the day after. So, for example, they should either fast the 9th and 10th or the 10th and the 11th. A person should not fast on the 10th alone. There is no such thing as giving Ashura gifts as people do and exchanging gifts. Yes, you spend extra on your family members, people under you. That is in its place.”
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Starting the year in the right manner
A Muslim should always be ready to rectify and change their life. Having said that, Muharram is as good a time as any to start to make a change in your life. However, one should be careful not to follow the traditions or customs that non-Muslims do or treat the 1st of Muharram as one would treat New Years.
“There’s no such thing as New Year’s Day in Islam. As far as the Deen is concerned, people have taken things out of context. They have taken a Dua which is to be said every month and they have turned it into some New Years days sort of thing when it was never meant to be like that in the first place. As far as Sharia is concerned, there is nothing special about New Years Day or that sort. You begin the new Islamic year like you would begin every other month but because it is a sacred month, it is a time when you should increase your worship of Allah (SWT).”
Acts that one should engage themselves in is fasting and “every other good act one can do”. The reward for acts done during this month are increased. As such, one should take advantage of this month and do as many good acts as they can.
Muharram stands as a blessed and sacred month, offering us unique opportunities to seek Allah’s (SWT) mercy, love, and blessings. As one of the four sacred months in Islam, it holds immense significance and calls for increased worship and virtuous acts. May Allah (SWT) allow us to take maximum benefit from this sacred month and make it a means for us to better our lives and gain closeness to Him (SWT).
