08/07/2024
The 1st Month: MUHARRAM
Muharram is one of the most important months in the Islamic calendar, commencing the start of a new year. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ referred to it as ‘the Sacred Month of Allah’.
The highly blessed month of Muharram is one of the four sacred months outlined by Allah ﷻ for a particular significance: warfare is absolutely forbidden - ‘Muharram’ literally translates to ‘forbidden’.
The Day of Ashura also occurred in the month of Muharram. It marks the day when the Prophet Musa (Moses) (AS) and the Israelites were saved by Allah ﷻ from the Pharaoh by splitting the Red Sea, which they passed through.
The other significant event which occurred on the Day of Ashura was when Prophet Nuh (Noah) (AS) finally left the Ark.
The practice of fasting on Ashura was known even before the rise of Islam. When the Prophet ﷺ arrived in Madinah at the time of migration, the Jews were observing the fast on 'Ashura'.
They said: "This is the day when Moses became victorious over Pharaoh." On that, the Prophet ﷺ said to his companions (R.A.):
"You (Muslims) have more right to celebrate Moses' victory than they have, so observe the fast on this day." [Sahih Bukhari: 4680]
When different Companions (R.A.) told Prophet ﷺ that fasting on the Day of Ashura is glorified among Jews and Christians, then Prophet ﷺ encouraged them by saying: “If I live until next year, I will fast the ninth day (of Muharram) too.” (Ibn Majah: 1736)