THE DAY OF AASHURA (10TH MUHARRAM) & HISTORICAL EVENTS

 The day is named ‘Aashurah’. It is one of the most important and blessed days of Allah Ta’ala in the Islamic calendar. 

This day has been accepted as havingThe day is named ‘Aashurah’. 

It is one of the most important and blessed days of Allah Ta’ala in the Islamic calendar. This day has been accepted as having deep significance. Evidence of its significance has been clearly found in authentic traditions.There are many Prophetic events of great historical importance and also events that happened after the Beloved and Final Messenger of Allah(peace be upon him) had left this world, such as the Battle of Karbala, that have taken place on this day.

The importance of the month of Muharram has been mentioned in the Qur’aan in Surah Taubah verse 36. This day of Aashura derives its importance from Prophetic Traditions. In the Ahadeeth (sayings of Rasulullah sallallaho alaihe wassallam) the following have been mentioned: deep significance. Evidence of its significance has been clearly found in authentic traditions.

There are many Prophetic events of great historical importance and also events that happened after the Beloved and Final Messenger of Allah(peace be upon him) had left this world, such as the Battle of Karbala, that have taken place on this day.The importance of the month of Muharram has been mentioned in the Qur’aan in Surah Taubah verse 36. This day of Aashura derives its importance from Prophetic Traditions. In the Ahadeeth (sayings of Rasulullah sallallaho alaihe wassallam) the following have been mentioned:👇

According to Hazrat Sheikh Abdur Rahman Safoori, who had obviously sought guidance from 114 Quranic Surahs, the following events had also taken place on the 10th of Muharram:🌙

-It was on this day that Hazrat Adam (AS) and Hazrat Hawa (AS) were created.♥️

-Hazrat Adam’s (AS) was granted forgiveness or clemency on this day.🌈

-Hazrat Nuh’s (AS)’s boat (Noah’s Ark) had come to land on this day.🛶

-It was on 10th of Muharram that Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) had received the status of Khaleelullah (the friend of Allah).🕋

-Hazrat Yaqub (AS) had met his son Hazrat Yusuf (AS) after 40 years on the 10th of Muharram.💐

-Prophet Hazrat Idrees (AS) was raised to the skies on this day.☁️🌫

-Hazrat Ayub (AS) had regained his health on this day.🌸

-Hazrat Yunus (AS) was released from the stomach of the fish🐋. In tremendous difficulty inside the belly of the fish, Hazrat Yunus had recited this famous prayer “La ilaha illa anta, Subhanaka, Inni kuntu minaz-zalimin (There is none worthy of worship other than you. You are far exalted and above all weaknesses. Surely, I am from amongst the wrongdoers). This prayer, also called “Ayat-e-Kareema,” is described in Surah Al-Anbiya verses 87 and 88.🐋

It was on 10th of Muharram that Hazrat Dawood (AS) had sought divine forgiveness, which was granted by the Prophet’s Creator.⚘

-Hazrat Sulaiman (AS) was rewarded with a Kingdom on 10th of Muharram.💐

-Jesus or Hazrat Esa (AS) was raised into the skies on 10th of Muharram.🌌

-Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) had tied marital knot with Hazrat Bibi Khadija (RA) on this day, many years before the massacre of Karbala.♥️♥️

-It is on this day that Qiyamat or the Day of Resurrection will occur.🌪🌫

There are certain days in the year which are more virtuous than others. One such day is the 10th of Muharram which is known as the day of ‘Ashura. Following are 10 virtues of this day found in the Qur’an and Sunnah:

1. It is in a sacred month

Allah mentions in the Qur’an that there are 4 sacred months

“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred.. ” (Surah At-Tawbah, Verse 36)

And in a Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said,

"The year is twelve months of which four are sacred, the three consecutive months of Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab Mudar which comes between Jumadah and Sha’ban.” (Sahih Al Bukhari)"

The 4 sacred months are: Dhul Qa’dah, Dhul Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab.

2. Prophet Musa and his people were saved on this day🌊🌊

On this day, Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) and the Children of Israeel were saved from Pharoah and his pursuing army.

"Then We inspired to Moses, “Strike with your staff the sea,” 🌊and it parted, and each portion was like a great towering mountain. And We advanced thereto the pursuers. And We saved Moses and those with him, all together. Then We drowned the others. Indeed in that is a sign, but most of them were not to be believers. And indeed, your Lord – He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful.” (Surah Ash Shu’arah, Verses 63-68)

3. Prophet Nuh’s Ark came to rest on Mount Judi on this day🗻

In a narration reported by Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him), it was on this day that the Ark of Nuh (peace be upon him) came to rest on Mount Judi. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

4. The Prophet would fast on this day even before Prophethood

In a hadith in the Muwatta of Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him), it has been mentioned that in the era of ignorance (jahiliyyah), the polythiests of Makkah would fast on this day. It may have been due to a tradition of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him).

Imam Al Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him) has said,

“Perhaps Quraysh used to fast on that day on the basis of some past law, such as that of Ibrahim, upon whom be peace.”

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) would also fast on this day before prophethood.

5. Fasting on this day used to be obligatory♦️♦️

The significance of the 10th of Muharram was such, that it was obligatory to fast on this day. The prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the companions would fast on this day before the obligation was abrogated by the fasts of Ramadan.

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates in a hadith:“Allah’s messenger ordered (the Muslims) to fast on the day of ‘Ashura, and when fasting in the month of Ramadan was prescribed, it became optional for one to fast on that day (Ashura) or not. (Sahih Al Bukhari)

6. The Prophet recommended the believers to fast on this day

Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said,

“The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came to Madinah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Ashura’. He said, ‘What is this?’ They said, ‘This is a righteous day, it is the day when Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemies, so Musa fasted on this day.’ He said, ‘We have more right to Musa than you,’so he fasted on that day and commanded [the Muslims] to fast on that day.” Sahih Al Bukhari

7. It is the best fast after Ramadan❗

Fasting on the 10th of Muharram (‘Ashura) is the best fast after Ramadan.

“The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘The best of fasting after Ramadhan is fasting Allah’s month of Muharram.” (Sahih Muslim)

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported,

I asked the Prophet: ‘Which Prayer is the best after the obligatory Prayers?’ He said:’Prayer during the mid of the night.’I asked: ‘Which fasting is the best after that of Ramadan?’ He said,’The month of Allah that you call Muharram’” (Sahih Muslim)

8. The Prophet prioritised it

Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said,

"I never saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) so keen to fast any day and give it priority over any other than this day, the day of ‘Ashura’, and this month, meaning Ramadhan.” (Sahih Al Bukhari)

9. A means of expiating sins🔶️🔷️🔶️

Fasting on this day is a means of having our (minor) sins being forgiven. Tawbah (repenting) is required for major sins.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) 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 ‘Ashura I hope Allah will expiate thereby for the year that came before it.” (Sahih Muslim)

We should try to fast on the 10th of Muharram and on the ninth too but we must remember that it is not obligatory though there are great virtues in doing so

Imam Ash-Shafi’i (may Allah have mercy on him) has said,

"It is mustahabb to fast on both the ninth and tenth days, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) fasted on the tenth, and intended to fast on the ninth.”

10. Spending on one’s family on this day brings blessings

There are great blessings to be attained throughout the year for the one who is extra generous to his family:

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said,

“One who generously spends on his family on ‘Ashura (10th of Muharram), Allah will be generous on him for the entire year.” (Al-Bayhaqi, Shu’ab al-Iman)

In this regard, Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (Allah have mercy on him) quotes Sufyan ibn Uyayna (Allah have mercy on him) as saying,

"I have practiced this [spending on the family] for fifty or sixty years, and he found nothing but good in it.” (Lata’if al-Ma’arif).

Just he devout Muslim eagerly awaits any chance to earn good deeds and gain Allaah’s Good Pleasure, and is careful not to transgress any boundaries, we should prepare ourselves for the coming of the month of Muharram.

This is because Muharram is one of the four months that are SACRED in the eyes of Allah.

“Verily, the number of months with Allaah is twelve (in a year): It was so ordained, by Allaah 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…” [al-Tawbah 9:36]

These four months, according to the Prophet (pbuh) are Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. (Bukhaari)

Be EXTRA CAREFUL about SINS this Month

Due to its sacredness, any bad deeds done during the sacred months are WORSE than in other months.
Qutaadah said concerning the ayah (so wrong not yourselves therein…) that “Wrongdoing during the sacred months is more serious and more sinful that wrongdoing at any other time. Wrongdoing at any time is a serious matter, but Allaah gives more weight to whichever of His commands He wants….” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer)

Do EXTRA GOOD DEEDS this Month

Similarly, good deeds during this month bring a greater reward than in other months.
Ibn ‘Abbaas said in the tafseer for the above Ayah, that good deeds done during the four sacred months bring a greater reward. (Ibn Katheer)

Pay special attention to FASTING:

Fasting during the month of Muharram has special meaning and the Prophet (pbuh) has highly encouraged it.
Abu Hurayrah said:

“The Messenger of Allaah (pbuh) said: ‘The best of fasting after Ramadaan is fasting Allaah’s month of Muharram.’” (Muslim).

Fast on the Day of ‘Aashooraa(10th Muharram)

Ibn ‘Abbaas said:

“The Prophet (pbuh) came to Madeenah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Aashooraa’. He said, ‘What is this?’ They said, ‘This is a righteous day, it is the day when Allaah saved the Children of Israel from their enemies, so Moosa fasted on this day.’ He (pbuh) said, ‘We have more right to Moosa than you,’ so he fasted on that day and commanded [the Muslims] to fast on that day.” (Bukhaari)

If one fasts on the 10th of Muharram, Allaah will forgive the sins of the previous year.
The Prophet (pbuh) said:

“For fasting the day of ‘Aashooraa’, I hope that Allaah will accept it as expiation for the year that went before.” (Muslim)

Ibn ‘Abbaas said:

“I never saw the Messenger of Allaah (pbuh) so keen to fast any day and give it priority over any other than this day, the day of ‘Aashooraa’.” (Bukhaari).

It is Mustahabb to fast the 9th of Muharram as well

It is mustahabb to fast on both the ninth and tenth days, because the Prophet (pbuh) fasted on the tenth, and intended to fast on the ninth. But, it is OK to fast only the 10th as well.
Ibn ‘Abbaas said:

“When the Messenger of Allaah (pbuh) fasted on ‘Aashooraa’ and commanded the Muslims to fast as well, they said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, it is a day that is venerated by the Jews and Christians.’ The Messenger of Allaah (pbuh) said, ‘If I live to see the next year, insha Allaah, we will fast on the ninth day too.’ But it so happened that the Messenger of Allaah (pbuh) passed away before the next year came.” (Muslim).

Some Misconceptions and Baseless Traditions

There are many wrong traditions associated with the Day of Aashooraa and Muharram, which have nothing to do with the Shariah. We have to guard ourselves from falling into these wrong traditions and bid’ah because this is also sin.

1) Some other people attribute the sanctity of Aashooraa to the martyrdom of Husain, RA. No doubt, the story of Husain, RA is one of the most tragic episodes of our history. Yet, the sanctity of ‘Ashura’ cannot be ascribed to this event for the simple reason that the sanctity of ‘Ashura’ was established during the days of the Prophet (pbuh) , much earlier than the birth of his grandson Husain.

2) Some people consider Muharram an evil or unlucky month, for Husain, RA was killed in it. So they don’t hold weddings, and other celebrations during this month. This is again a baseless concept, which is contrary to the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah. Having superstitions, such as this, is committing a kind of shirk since one associates a particular event or person with having power to harm or do good and only Allaah is the One Who has power over all things.

3)Some people think it is Sunnah to prepare a particular type of meal on the 10th, and they hold big gatherings for this purpose. This, again has no basis in the Sharee‘ah.

4) Some people mourn and lament over the death of Hussain RA and hold special ceremonies for this very purpose.
However, the Prophet (pbuh) has forbidden us from holding mourning ceremonies on the death of any person, which was the practice of the people of jahiliyyah (ignorance).

“He is not from our group who slaps his checks, tears his clothes and cries in the manner of the people of jahiliyyah.” (Bukhaari)

And if you really think about it, it is the greatest merit and reward that Hussain RA received, when he attained martyrdom for the sake of Allaah.

5) Some people go to the other extreme and dress up and cook special dishes, etc. as a kind of celebration for this Day and that is ALSO against the Quraan and Sunnah.

6) Others hold special prayers or offer sacrifice or visit the graves, specifically on the 10th of Muharram, thinking that there is special reward or meaning for doing so in the Sharee’ah and this is also a kind of bid’ah that one should stay away from.

In Conclusion:

Our behavior during this month should be like the behavior of the Sahabah, not one of mourning, neither one of celebration. Rather, we should value Muharram as one of Allaah’s sacred  in which we should strive to do good deeds and be extra careful of sinning. We should try and fast as much as we can in this month, especially the 9th and 10th. We should not be superstitious about it (or for anything else, for that matter) and if someone wants to get married during it, they may. We should not cook special meals on the 10th and if someone invites us for such a meal, we should not go.

💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫

I pray for you and your family’s happiness and well-being. May you all have an amazing year ahead.”" May Allah shower you with gifts of love, bravery, wisdom, contentment, health, patience and cleanliness.”

Jazak Allah  khair.

Ultimate Peace.

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