Muharram and Ashura

by: Sheikhul Hadith Sh. Ml. Fazlur Rehman
Source: http://jamiat.org.za/blog/muharram-aashura-in-detail/


THE SACRED MONTHS

From among the months of the Islamic year, the “Ashurul Hurum” (Sacred Months) enjoy a greater significance. Hafiz Ibn Katheer (Allah be pleased with him) has quoted the saying of Hadhrat Qatadah (Allah be pleased with him) in his famous tafseer. He writes:

Allah Ta’ala has indeed distinguished some of His Creation from among man and Jinn, He has chosen Messengers. He has granted special virtue to His remembrance (Zikr) over all speech and talk. From the land He has chosen the Masaajid. He distinguished the Day of Jumu’ah (Friday) from amongst the days and Laitatul Qadr (the Night of Power) from amongst the nights. Therefore respect what Allah Ta’aala has honoured for verily to honour things due to the virtue which Allah Ta’aala bestowed upon them is among the traits of the intelligent”. [Tafseer Ibn Khateer, vol 2 pg 369].

The sanctity of these four months was observed in the Shari’ah of all the Ambiyaa. Hence all preached to their followers that any act of obedience and virtue in these months earn an increased reward. Likewise any transgression or disobedience perpetrated in these months is more severe and the sin is multiplied. In the Shari’ah of various Ambiyaa, wars and fighting (even for just causes) too was forbidden. [Extracted from Ma Ariful Qur'aan, vol 4, pg 370].
THE MONTH OF MUHARRAM
The Rasul of Allah Ta’aala has described the fasts of this month as the best fasts after the month of Ramadaan. In a Hadith Rasulullah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said:

“The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadaan is the fasting of Allah’s month of Muharram and the best of Salaats besides the Fardh (obligatory Salaat) is the Tahajjud Salaah (performed after midnight)”. [Sahih Muslim, vol 1, pg 368].
“He who fasts on the Day of Arafat, his fast will be a compensation for the sins of two years and the one that keeps a fast in the month of Muharram will receive a reward of thirty fasts for each fast (in the sacred month)“. [At Targheeb Wat Tarheeb, vol 2, pg 114].

FASTING ON THE DAY OF ASHURA (10TH OF MUHARRAM)

Ibn Abbaas (Allah be pleased with him) says:

“I did not see the messenger of Allah Ta’aala anxiously await the fast of any day, which he gave preference to over other days, but this day (i.e. the Day of Ashura) and this month (i.e. the month of Ramadaan)” [Suhih Bukhari, vol 2, pg 268].

In various Ahaadith an explanation is given as to why Rasulullah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) kept this fast and exhorted his companions to do the same. A narration of Sahih Muslim concisely explains the reason Ibn Abbaas (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Rasulullah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came to Madinah and found the Jews fasting on the Day of Ashura. Rasulullah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) inquired of them, “What is the significance of this day on which you fast?” They replied: “This is a great day. On this day Allah Ta’aala saved Moosa and his people and drowned Firown and his nation”. Thus Moosa (peace be upon him) fasted on this day as a token of thanksgiving, therefore, we too fast on this day. The Rasul of Allah Ta’aala said:

“We are more worthy of Moosa (peace be upon him) and nearer to him than you”. Thereafter he fasted on this day and ordered his companions that a fast be kept on this day. [Suhih Muslim, vol 1, pg 359].

From the above Hadith it is clear that the fast of Ashura is linked to the salvation of Moosa (peace be upon him). Besides this no other Hadith of this category (Sahih) explains the reason for Rasulullah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) having kept a fast on this day.
FORGIVENESS OF A YEARS SINS
With regards to the blessings of this fast, it is recorded in a narration of Sahih Muslim that Rasulullah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was asked regarding (the virtue of) the fast of Ashura. Rasulullah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) answered:

“It is compensation for the sins of the past year, i.e. the sins of the year that has just gone by will be forgiven”. [Sahih Muslim, vol 1, pg 368].

SPENDING FREELY ON ONE’S FAMILY

Besides fasting on the day of Ashura, being generous to one’s family and spending on what is normally spent on food, etc. is a very meritorious act. Certain scholars are of the opinion that the Ahaadith in this regard are not authentic. Hence, there is no special virtue for increased generosity on the Day of Ashura. However, this is not correct. To substantiate this, Allama Sakhawi (Allah be pleased with him) writes:

“He who will be generous on his family on the Day of Ashura, Allah will be generous to him throughout the year.” This Hadith has been transmitted by Tabrani and Baihaqi in his book “As-Shaub” and Fadaail-ul-Awqaat and Abu Shaikh, all of them having narrated it from Ibn Masood. Tabrani and Baihaqi have also transmitted it from Abu Saeed (Allah be pleased with him). In his book “Ash-Shaub”, Baihaqi has also narrated this Hadith from Jaabir and Abu Hurairah.

Baihaqi therefore says:

“The chains of narrators of these Ahaadith are`Daeef’ Weak, However, when they are considered collectively, the chain of narrators becomes strong (i.e. the Hadith becomes reliable)”.

Allamah Shaami too has indicated towards the authenticity of this Hadith. He says:

“The hadith of generosity upon ones family is an established and authentic (Sahih) narration as mentioned by Hafiz Suvuti in `Ad-Durar’”. [Shaami, vol 2, pg 155].

RECTIFICATION OF BELIEF

Many erroneous beliefs exist regarding the Day of Ashura. It is necessary that such beliefs be discarded. The day of Ashura is regarded by many as the day of mourning the martyrdom of Sayyidina Husein (Allah be pleased with him). To attribute the significance of Ashura to the martyrdom of Sayyidina Husein (Allah be pleased with him) is baseless. The significance of Ashura is from the time of Rasulullah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) whilst Sayyidina Husein (Allah be pleased with him) was martyred fifty years after the passing of Rasulullah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The significance of Ashura is attributed to many such occurrences and events, most of which are not proven by authentic sources.

Similarly, refrain from participating in the innovations of those who harbour hatred for the Ahlul-bait (the family of Rasulullah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), or the innovations of the ignorant; those who oppose corruptions with corruption, innovations with innovations and evil with sin. Hence, they display great joy and happiness. They regard this day as an occasion of merrymaking and adornment and indulgence in Khidaab, applying surmah, wearing new clothes, sending lavishly and cooking various foods which are not generally prepared. All these actions are regarding as Sunnah by these ignorant people whereas the true Sunnah is to shun these practices, since no authentic narrations sanctioning such actions has been recorded. [Ma thabata bis Sunnah, pg 254].
Regarding the various beliefs about the significance of the Day of Ashura; many of which are often quoted in our time; Sheikh Muhaddith Dahlawi (Allah be pleased with him) writes:

It is said that:
a. The person who applies `surmah’ on the Day of Ashura will not have sore eyes for the entire year.
b. The person who takes a bath on this day will not fall ill till the next year.
c. The person who spends freely on his family on the Day of Ashura, Allah Ta’aala will increase his sustenance for the whole year.
As for claims such as:
1. The virtue of Salaah on this day.
2. On the day the repentance of Adam (peace be upon him) was accepted.
3. Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was removed from the fire.
4. Ismail (peace be upon him) was saved from being sacrificed.
5. Yusuf (peace be upon him) was returned to Yaqoob (peace be upon him).
All the above are FABRICATIONS EXCEPT the Hadith of spending freely on one’s family. However one of the narrators is not absolutely reliable” [Ma thabata bis Sunnah, pg 254].

From the list of fabrications which have been quoted from Sheikh Muhaddith Dahlawi (Allah be pleased with him), the Ark of Nuh (peace be upon him) settling on the mountain will be excluded from being a fabricated Hadith. This exclusion is due to the Hadith which appears in the “Musnad” of Imaam Ahmad (peace be upon him) vol 2, pg 259.

CONCLUSION

The Day of Ashura is a great day. While observing it’s greatness, let us shun all innovations and unfounded customs which deprive us of blessings and reward. Let us firmly cling onto the Qur’aan and Sunnah and attain success of both the worlds. Ameen.
Source: This is a summary of a booklet which was compiled under auspicious guidance of Sheikhul Hadith Sh. Ml. Fazlur Rehman of Darul Uloom, Azaadville, South Africa.(http://muslimvillage.com)