THE MONTH OF MUHARRAM

With the sighting of the new moon the Islaamic new year is ushered in.
The first month Muharram is one of the four sacred months that Allah
has mentioned in the Holy Qur'aan:

The specification of these four sacred months is
stated in a hadeeth narrated by Abu Bakrah radhiyallahu anhu;
Verily time has completed its cycle and returned to its original stage
as it was on the day Allah created the heavens and the earth.
The year consists of twelve months, four of which are sacred.
Three of them occur consecutively; Zil Qa'dah, Zil Hijjah and Muharram,
(the fourth being) Rajab of Mudhar (named after the tribe of Mudhar
as they used to respect this month) which occurs between
Jamadiul Aakhir and Sha'baan.

(Bukhari Vol.2 Page 622)

From out of the four sacred months, Muharram has been blessed with
certain specific virtues. The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said:
The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadhaan
is the fasting of Allah's month of Muharram and the best of salaat
besides the fardh (compulsory) salaat is the tahajjud salaat
(performed after midnight before dawn).

Muslim Vol.1 Page 368

In another hadeeth, Ibne Abbas radhiyallahu anhu reports that
the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: He who fasts
on the day of Arafah (9th Zil Hijjah), 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 the reward of thirty fasts for each fast
(in this sacred month).

Tabraani, At Targheeb WatTarheeb Vol.2 Page 114.

Recommended deeds on the day of Aashoorah

The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam has exhorted and
encouraged his ummah to fast on this day. Abu Qataadah radhiyallahu anhu
narrates that the Holy Prophet sallahllahu alayhi wasallam was asked
regarding the fast of the day of Aashoorah.
The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam replied:

"It is a compensation for the (minor) sins of the past year".

(Muslim Vol.1 Page 368)

One should also observe the fast of the 9th Muharram to safeguard
his deed from resemblance with the non-muslims who fast only
on the 10th Muharram. Ibne Abbas radhiyallahu anhu said:
When Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam observed the fast
of the day of Aashoorah and ordered (his Companions) to fast,
they said, "O Rasulullah!It is a day revered by the
Jews and Christians." Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said,

"The coming year, if Allah wills, we will fast on the ninth (also)".

(Muslim Vol.1Page 359)

These ahadeeth indicate clearly that one should fast on the
ninth and tenth of Muhaaram. However, if one does not manage to fast
on the ninth, then he should fast on the eleventh of Muharram instead.
The Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said:

"Observe the fast of Aashoorah and oppose the Jews.
Fast a day before it or a day after."

(Bayhaqi).

Hence, it is important to either fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram
or the tenth and eleventh. To fast only on the day of
Aashoorah is makrooh tanzeehi as stated by Allamah Ibne Aabideen Shaami.

One should be generous on one’s family and dependents and
spend more on them than what is normally spent.
Abu Hurayrah radhiyallahu anhu reports
that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said:

"One who generously spends on his family on the day of Aashoorah,
Allah will increase (his provision) for the whole year".

(Bayhaqi, At Targheeb Wat Tarheeb Vol. 2 Page 116)

: Informations were quoted from :

http://www.islaam.org/Muharram/muharram.htm

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