Significance of the month of Muharram
Islam is a comprehensive religion. All the Islamic months have their own significance. The moon has its own value because it determines the Islamic month dates and the commandments of Ramadan, Hajj, Zakat, Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha. When Muslims see the first sight of the moon each month, they ask for Allah’s mercy and blessings.
When Hazrat Muhammad p.b.u.h used to look at the moon, he used to say
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شَرِّ هَذَا “I seek refuge in Allah from this (its) evil.” Dua when sighting the new moon:
اللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالْيُمْنِ وَالْإِيمَانِ وَالسَّلَامَةِ وَالْإِسْلَامِ وَالتَّوْفِيقِ لِمَا تُحِبُّ وَتَرْضَى رَبِّي وَرَبُّكَ ...
It means that all the praises are for Allah for granting
Muslims another blessed month.
Hence Muslims learned that it is a sunnah of Hazrat Muhammad p.b.u.h to pray for good when we see the moon. There are some commandments which are specifically for the month of Muharram. Hazrat Muhammad p.b.u.h said that after the fasting of Ramadan, it is best to fast during the 9th and 10th of the month of Muharram.
When Hazrat Muhammad p.b.u.h came to Madina, he saw Jews fasting on Ashura. He asked them why they were fasting. They said that it was a big day for them. Hazrat Musa and his people were relieved on this day and Firoun and his tribe got demolished. Hazrat Musa fasted on this day as a day of relief and thankfulness. That was the reason for Jews to fast on Ashura.
Hazrat Muhammad p.b.u.h said that we Muslims are more close to Hazrat Musa than the Jews. Therefore, Hazrat Muhammad p.b.u.h fasted on this day and asked others to fast too.
Fasting on 10th of Muharram:
Hazrat Muhammad p.b.u.h said:
وصيام يوم عاشوراء احتسب على الله ان يكفر السنه التي قبله
“I expect from Allah that fasting on Ashura will vanish all minor sins of last year for Muslims”.
When Hazrat Muhammad p.b.u.h ordered Sahaaba to fast on Ashura, they asked that this is the day which jews and Ansars consider a day of relief. Hazrat Muhammad p.b.u.h said:” From next year, we all will also fast on 9th of Muharram”. He also said: “You should keep the fast of Ashura and distinguish yourself from the Jews by fasting one day before and one day after Ashura”. Hence it is best to fast on 9th, 10th and 11th of Muharram rather than just on 10th.
Hazrat Muhammad p.b.u.h also said that for those who spend generously on their family and others on the day of Ashura, Allah will give them money generously for the entire year. Hence these two things are to be done on Ashura. The first one is to fast and, the second one is to spend on your family and others according to your means.