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The
Excellence of Observing Ashura: Fasting in Muharram
In The name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Indeed, all praises and thanks are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. Peace,
Prayers and Blessings of Allah are upon our beloved Messenger Muhammad
(SWS), his family, Khulafair Rashidin, all his noble Companions. I bear
witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, having
no partner, and I bear witness that Messenegr Muhammad (SWS) is His
Messenger.
A reminder,
"Fa Zakir, Inna Zikhrah Tinf'a Lili Mu'umineen" - " And
Remind (by preaching the Qur'an,O Muhammad [SWS]), for verily, the
reminding profits the believers". Surah Adh-Dhariyat - 51:55.
Verily, the
number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so it was
ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth;
of them, four are sacred (i.e.the 1st, the 7th, the 11th and the 12th
months of the Islamic Calendar). That is the right religion, so wrong
not yourselves therein… Surah Al-Taubah 9:36.
Muharram is a
blessed and sacred month of our Creator -Allah (SWT) and it is the most
significant month in Islam and for all Muslims. This is the first month
of the Hijri (lunar) calendar and it is one of the four sacred months,
as mentioned in above verse of Surah Al-Taubah - 9:36. Abu Bakr(RA)
reported: The Messenger (SWS) said: The year is twelve months of which
four are sacred, the three consecutive months of Dhu'l-Qa'dah,
Dhu'l-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab Mudar which comes between Jumaada
and Sha'baan. Sahih Bukhari.
Fasting Ashura in the month of Muharram is recommended on the tenth day,
Ashura. Abu Hurairah (RA) reported: I asked The Messenger (SWS), which
prayer is the best after the obligatory prayer? He (SWS) said: Prayer in the
middle of the night. I asked: which fast is the best after the Ramadan. He
(SWS) said: "The month of Allah that you call Muharram."Ahmad, Muslim and
Abu Dawud.
This Ahadith indicates the excellence and significant of voluntary fasting
in Ashura. Ashura is derived from Ashara, which means ten. This relates to
Prophet Moses (AS). Aisha (RA) reported: The Messenger (SWS) said: The
tribe Quraish used to fast on the day of Ashura in the days before Islam, as
did the Messenger (SWS). When He (SWS) came to Madinah, he still fasted on
it and ordered the people to do likewise. Then, when fasting during the
month of Ramadan became obligatory, he (SWS) said: whoever wishes may fast
(Ashura) and whoever wishes may leave it. Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
The Messenger (SWS) came to Madinah and found the Jews fasting the day of
Ashura. He (SWS) said to them: What is this fast? They said: A great day.
Allah saved Moses (AS) and the tribes of Israel from their enemies on this
day and therefore, Moses (AS) fasted on this day. The Messnger (SWS) said:
We have more of a right to Moses (AS) than you, so he (SWS) fasted on that
day also and ordered the people to fast on that day. Sahih Bukhari and Sahih
Muslim. Furthermore, Moses (AS) fasted on this day to express his gratitude
to Allah.
This Ahadith signifies its excellence and its reason behind, as reported by
Ibn Abbas, when Messenger (SWS) observed the day of Ashura and commanded his
followers to observe it, they asked him: "O Messenger of Allah (SWS) it is a
day the Jews and Christians honour. The Messenger (SWS) said: "When
following year comes - Allah willing - we shall fast the ninth, The death of
the Messenger (SWS) came before the following year. Sahih Muslim and Abu
Dawud. In one version the wording is: If I remain until next year, we shall
fast the ninth, meaning the tenth. Sahih Muslim and Abu Dawud.
According to Scholars that the fast of Ashura is: 1. Fasting of 2 days -
that is, on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of Muharram; 2. Fasting on the 9th and
10th; and 3. Fasting only on the 10th, meaning, it is preferred to fast 2
days, either 9th and 10th or 10th and the 11th.
I beg of Allah to accept our fast and Ibaadah, for His pleasure only, and
bless all
Muslims in this world and all of us plentifully and save us from the torment
of this world and guide us to the Path of Islam and straight. Ameen!
Insha-Allah I will be back soon. Allah knows all best.
Yours Tasir. March 15, 2002. tasirul@yahoo.com
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