The Virtues of the Month of Muharram Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/books/77
Allahs sacred month of Muharram is a blessed and important month. It is the first month of the Hijri calendar and is one of the four sacred months concerning which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): Verily, the number of months with Allâh is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allâh 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 Islâmic calendar). That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein, and fight against the Mushrikûn (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh) collectively[], as they fight against you collectively. But know that Allâh is with those who are Al-Muttaqûn (the pious - see V.2:2).(At-Tawbah 9:36) 1. Muharram 7. Rajab 2. Safar 8. Sha'ban 3. Rabi' al-awwal (Rabi' I) 9. Ramadan 4. Rabi' al-thani (Rabi' II) 10. Shawwal 5. Jumada al-awwal (Jumada I) 11. Dhu al-Qi'dah 6. Jumada al-thani (Jumada II) 12. Dhu al-Hijjah Narrated Abu Bakra: The Prophet said. (The division of time has turned to its original form which was current when Allah created the Heavens and the Earths. The year is of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred: Three are in succession Dhul-Qa' da, Dhul-Hijja and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab of (the tribe of) Mudar which comes between Jumadi-ath-Thaniyah and Sha ban." Muharram is so called because it is a sacred (muharram) month and to confirm its sanctity.[Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 54, Number 419] Allaahs words (interpretation of the meaning): so wrong not yourselves therein mean do not wrong yourselves in these sacred months, because sin in these months is worse than in other months. It was reported that Ibn Abbaas said that this phrase (so wrong not yourselves therein ) referred to all the months, then these four were singled out and made sacred, so that sin in these months is more serious and good deeds bring a greater reward. Qutaadah said concerning this phrase (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 will. Allaah has chosen certain ones of His creation. He has chosen from among the angels Messengers and from among mankind Messengers. He chose from among speech the remembrance of Him (dhikr). He chose from among the earth the mosques, from among the months Ramadaan and the sacred months, from among the days Friday and from among the nights Laylat al-Qadr, so venerate that which Allaah has told us to venerate. People of understanding and wisdom venerate the things that Allaah has told us to venerate. (Summarized from the Tafseer of Ibn Katheer, may Allaah have mercy on him. Tafseer of Surat al-Tawbah, aayah 36). The Virtue of observing more naafil fasts during Muharram. Abu Haraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The most excellent fast after Ramadan is Allah's month. al-Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night. [Sahih Muslim, Book 006, Number 2611] The phrase Allaahs month, connecting the name of the month to the name of Allaah in a genitive grammatical structure, signifies the importance of the month. Al-Qaari said: The apparent meaning is all of the month of Muharram. But it was proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) never fasted any whole month apart from Ramadan, so this hadeeth is probably meant to encourage increasing ones fasting during Muharram, without meaning that one should fast for the entire month. It was reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast more in Shabaan. It is likely that the virtue of Muharram was not revealed to him until the end of his life, before he was able to fast during this month. (Sharh al-Nawawi ala Saheeh Muslim). Allaah chooses whatever times and places He wills Al-Izz ibn Abd al-Salaam (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Times and places may be given preferred status in two ways, either temporal or religious/spiritual. With regard to the latter, this is because Allaah bestows His generosity on His slaves at those times or in those places, by giving a greater reward for deeds done, such as giving a greater reward for fasting in Ramadaan than for fasting at all other times, and also on the day of Aashooraa, the virtue of which is due to Allaahs generosity and kindness towards His slaves on that day (Qawaaid al-Ahkaam, 1/38). As-salaam Walekum Adil Khan Permission is granted to circulate among private individuals and groups, to post on Internet sites and to publish in full text and subject title in not-for-profit publications. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LoveIslam_LiveIslam/ In the name of Allah, the Most-Merciful, the All-Compassionate "May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon You" Praise be to Allaah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. 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