The months of the Islamic year are according to the lunar calendar and therefore, have a great value in Islam. The first day starts after sighting the moon. The first month of the Islamic year is Muharram, which has a great value in Islam. As it is the first month of the Islamic calendar, it gives us a chance to mark new beginnings. Along with that, Allah has amalgamated numerous blessings and additional virtues in it.
Muslims generally do not know the great importance of the month of Muharram. They are only informed about the great sacrifice of Hazrat Syyadna Hussain (RAW). He was martyred on the 10th of Muharram. This day is called Ashura in Islam. Mostly, Muslims belong this month to the great sacrifice of Hazrat Hussain (RAW), although it is considered sacred throughout Islamic history.
In this post, we will describe the importance of Muharram according to Quran teachings and the significance of fasting on Ashura day.
Importance of Muharram
Muharram means sacred. It means that it is a sacred month. Allah Almighty says in the Quran,” Four of them (Zil-Qadah, Zil-ijjah, Muharram, and Rajab) are sacred.” (Surah At-Tawbah: 36).
As Muharram has also sanctity along with the other three months, so it has an equal reverence like other sacred months. As most of us do not know the significance of the holy months and have no time to go anywhere for it, therefore, we need to learn the Quran online and other Islamic teachings with an Online tutor who can help us become good Muslims.
Virtues
Mostly, Muslims know about the virtues of Ramadan, but do not know about the virtues of Muharram. In the hadith of Muslims, The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says,” The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadan is the fasting of Allah’s month of Muharram.”
This hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) describes two points:
- Muharram is the month of Allah.
- Fasting in Muharram is next to fasting in Ramadan.
It means that the value of fasting in Muharram is the maximum after the fasting in Ramadan. So, as Muslims, we must consider fasting this month as it is the best way to get peace of mind. You can also fast in this month as a Qaza of Ramadan fasting.
Ashura Day
It is the 10th of Muharram, which is said Ashura day. The importance of this day has been described in different hadeeth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The first hadith is related to the migration towards Madinah by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). When the Prophet (PBUH) reached here, he found that the Jews fasted on the 10th of Muharram because they had a belief that the prophet Moses (AS) crossed the Red Sea on this day and Pharaoh drowned in it. When the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) heard it, he said, “We are more closely related to Musa than you” Hence He directed all the followers to fast on the day of Ashura.” (Abu Dawood)
To create a difference with the fasting of the Jews, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advised his companions that the fasting on the ninth should be joined with the fasting of the Ashura Day. The prophet Muhammad says,” The coming year, if Allah wills (I remain alive), I will for surely fast on the ninth (also).” (Muslim) In another hadith, the Prophet says,” Observe the fast of Ashura and oppose the Jews. Fast a day before it or a day after.” (Baihaqi)
Therefore, if you want to be a good Muslim, you just need to follow the instructions given in the Quran and the hadeeth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). If you can’t go outside to learn Quran and Islamic Teaching, you can avail Online Quran Teaching opportunity. You can start it by considering two fasting days in Muharram, out of which, one will be on the 10th of Muharram, the Ashura day and the other one will be the preceding or exceeding day.