Month of Muharram
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is one of the four sanctified months (Al-Ashhur-Al-hurum) mentioned in the Qur’an.
“Surely, the number of months according to Allah is twelve (as written) in the Book of Allah on the day He created the heavens and the Earth, of which there are Four Sacred Months.” [Surah 9: Verse 36]
Narrated Abu Bakrah Radhiyallahu Anhu:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Time has come back to its original state which it had when Allah created the Heavens and the Earth; the year is twelve months, four of which are sacred. Three of them are in succession; Thul Qa'dah, Thul Hijjah and Al-Muharram, and (the fourth being) Rajab Mudar (named after the tribe of Mudar as they used to respect this month) which stands between Jumaada (As-Saani) and Sha'baan." (Saheehul Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)
It is known as the month of Allah (Shahrullah). And known as Al-Asamm. The month of Muharram has certain other characteristics peculiar to it which are specified below.
1. Fasting during the month
Abu Hurairah Radhiyallahu Anhu reported that he (the Messenger of Allah) was asked as to which prayer was most excellent after the prescribed prayer, and which fast was most excellent after the month of Ramadan. He said:
Prayer offered in the middle of the night and the most excellent fast after (fasting) in the month of Ramadan is the fast in God's month al-Muharram. (Saheeh Muslim)
2. The day of ‘Aashooraa
Although the month of Muharram is a sanctified month as a whole, yet, the 10th day of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named ‘Aashooraa
According to the Holy companion Ibnu Abbaas Radhiyallahu Anhuma the Holy Prophet ﷺ, when migrated to Madeenah, found that the Jews of Madeenah used to fast on the 10th day of Muharram. The Prophet (ﷺ) asked them (about it) and they said that it was the day on which the Holy Prophet Musa (Moses) Alaihissalam and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously and the Pharaoh was drowned in its water. On hearing this from the Jews, the Holy Prophet ﷺ said, “We are more closely related to Musa than you” and directed the Muslims to fast on the day of ‘Aashooraa. (Abu Dawood)
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