Muharram and Its Importance for Muslims are agreed upon across all global platforms. Muharram is one of the most important months for Muslims. It is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar Islamic calendar. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) referred to this month as ‘the Sacred Month of Allah’. This month is also known as Muharram-ul-Haram. Allah declared Muharram-ul-Haram as one of the four sacred months. It is mentioned in Surah Al Tauba, chapter 9, verse no 36 of the Holy Quran:
“Surely the reckoning of months, in the sight of Allah, is twelve months, laid down in Allah’s decree on the day when He created the heavens and the earth; and out of these months, four are sacred. That is the true ordainment” (Quran 9:36)
The four sacred months are the months of Zulqadah, Zulhijjah, Muharram, and Rajab. All the religious scholars are united on this point because on the occasion of the last pilgrimage (Hajj at al Wada), Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:
“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.”
These 4 months were considered sacred even before Islam by the pagans of Makkah. The sanctity of these four months was acknowledged from the days of Prophet Ibrahim(AS) and Prophet Musa(AS). The pagans of Makkah used to stop fighting in respect of these months. Islam endorsed the sanctity of these months, and Quran declared them as sanctified months.
This does not mean that there is no other month that is considered sacred in Islam; the month of Ramadan is the most sacred month in Islam. The Quran was revealed in the month of Ramadan, and Layl tul Qadar (night better than thousands of months) also commends in the month of Ramadan. Quran states in chapter 30 in Surah al Qadar:
In the Name of God, the All-Compassionate, the All-Merciful 1. Indeed, We sent it down on the Night of al-Qadr. 2. And how do you know what the Night of al-Qadr is! 3. The night of al-Qadr is better than one thousand months. 4. The angels and the Spirit descend on it with the permission of their Lord, with every command. 5. It is [the night of] peace until the break of the dawn. (Quran 30:1-5)
#Muharram holds importance among Muslims because many important historical Islamic events took place in it. These include the migration of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and his companions to Madinah and the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and other family members of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) during the Battle of Karbala.
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Muharram and Its Importance for Muslims
The Martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS):
Shia Muslims all over the world mourn and grieve specifically in the first ten days of #Moharram over the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS), the youngest grandson of the prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) in the month of Muharram in the 61st year of the Islamic Calendar. Imam Hussain (AS) was killed along with his 110 companions, including 17 members of his family. Shia Muslims wear black clothes and hold mourning processions in the sad memory of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) in the battle of #Karbala.
The day of Ashurah:
The day of Ashurah is the 10th day of Muharram according to the Islamic calendar every year. The day of Ashurah has a huge significance for Muslims around the world. On this day, Prophet Musa (AS) fled from the oppression of Pharaoh along with his companions by parting the red sea. Prophet Musa (AS) and his companions were able to cross the red sea safely by the will of Allah, and when Pharaoh and his soldiers entered the red sea, they all drowned.
Fasting during the month of Muharram:
Fasting on the 10th of Muharram was practiced even before Islam. The Jews and Christians used to fast on the 10th of Muharram as this was the day when Musa (AS) became victorious over the pharaoh. Muslims used to fast on the 10th of Muharram in the early days of Islam, too as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“You (Muslims) have more right to celebrate the victory of Musa than they have, so observe the fast on this day.” (Sahih Bukhari: 4680)
When Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was told by his companions that Jews and Christians also observe fat on the day of Ashurah, which is the 10th of Muharram, he said that: “If I live until next year, I will fast the ninth day (of Muharram) too.” (Ibn Majah: 1736). Unfortunately, he died before the next Muharram came. That’s why fasting on the 9th and 10th of Muharram holds importance for Muslims.
Not only the 9th and 10th of Muharram fasting in the whole month of Muharram is considered good in #Islam. As there is hadith stating that: “A man came to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and said: which fasting is better after the month of Ramadan? He said: The Month of Allah which is called Muharram.” (Hadith, Ibn Majah)
Virtues of Muharram:
This sacred month is an opportunity for #Muslims to seek Allah’s forgiveness and get more and more rewards and blessings from him. There are many things that we can do in the month of Muharram.
Some of the virtues are as follows:
Fast:
The practice of fasting during the month of Muharram is established from the hadith of the Prophet (PBUH). It is advised to fast on the 9th/10th Muharram or 10th/11th Muharram.
Read the Quran:
Reading the #Quran is another way to gain the blessing of this sacred month. Reading the Quran will fill your life with blessings.
Give Sadaqah:
Muharram is the start of the new year of the Islamic calendar; it is the best time to give sadaqah. Giving charity will help you all year round.
Do Zikr:
Doing zikr and remembering Allah with his beautiful names can also help you gain blessings of this sacred month.
Conclusion:
Muharram is a sanctified month in Islam and no matter whether you are Shia Muslim or Sunni Muslim, everyone should observe this month with respect. Do lots of charity, read Quran, observe fasts, and do lots and lots of zikr to gain more and more blessings of this sacred month. Please stay in touch with Munafa Marketing.
