VIRTUES OF MUHARRAM

The month of Muharram will start on Saturday Nov.26,2011, inshaAllah.

[Source: Muslim Matters, written by Amatullah]

• It is one of the four sacred months. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala said, “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 heavens and the earth; of them four are Sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein” (9:36)

• It is the best month to fast in after Ramadan. The Messenger sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “The best fasting after Ramadan is the month of Allah Muharram, and the best prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night.” [Muslim]

• The Messenger sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “The best fasting after Ramadan is the month of Allah, Muharram.” [Muslim] The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam called this month “the Month of Allah.” When Allah azza wa jal connects His Name to something, it shows the great status and virtue of the subject.

• This month contains the day of ‘Aashoora (the tenth of Muharram). Ibn Abbas radi Allahu anhu was asked about fasting on the day of ‘Aashoora and he said, “I do not know of any day on the Messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam fasted that was better than this day.” [Bukhari and Muslim] This day is known as the day Allah ta’ala saved Musa alayhi salaam and the Children of Isra’eel from Fir’awn.

• Fasting the Day of ‘Aashoora is an expiation of a year of sins. The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Fasting the day of Arafah I hope Allah will expiate thereby for the year before it and the year after it, and fasting the day of ‘Aashoora I hope Allah will expiate thereby for the year that came before it.” [Muslim]

Good Deeds for This Month

• Fasting. Muharram lands in winter this year, making it even more easier to fast. The Companions and the righteous predecessors rejoiced in the coming of this season. It is reported that Abu Hurayrah radi Allahu anhu said, Shall I not point you to comfortable proceeds? The people responded, “And what is that O Abu Hurayrah?” He replied, “Fasting in winter.” The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam did not fast in succession for one month other than Ramadan, so it is not recommended to fast the whole month.

• The best days to fast in Muharram is the day of ‘Aashoora and one day before it or one day after it. Imam Shafi’i and Imam Ahmad both stated, “It is mustahabb [recommended] to fast both the ninth and the tenth, because the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam fasted the tenth and intended to fast the ninth.