Saturday, November 24, 2012

Muharram: Facts And Misconceptions

Facts About Muharram Muharram is one of the four sacred Months out of twelve. The other being ZiQad, ZilHajj and Rajab. These four months have been sacred since the creation of universe - as told by Allah Subhana Wa Tala in the Quran. After Ramadan, fasting in the month of Muharram is the most reward-able. Facts about Ashura - The 10th of Muharram
*Fasting on the 10th Muharram i.e.
Ashura was obligatory on the Muslims before the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory.
*Fasting on the 10th of Muharram expiates the sins of the previous year.
*Musa (as) and the Bani Israel were saved from the Pharaoh by the parting of the sea on 10th Muharram. *Prophet Musa  (Alaihissalam) as a sign of gratitute to Allah used to fast on the day of Ashura and Jews did the same.
*Prophet Muhammad (sallallau alaihi wasallam) on hearing the fast of Musa (as) also ordered the Muslims to fast on this day and himself did the same.
*Prophet Muhammad (sallallau alaihi wasallam) decided to fast on 9th Muharram as well to differentiate from the Jews but he passed away before he could do so.

 Misconceptions about Ashura -
This is the day Prophet Adam  (Alaihissalam) was created -This is the day when Allah accepted the repentance of Adam  (Alaihissalam)-This is the day when Ibrahim (Alaihissalam)  was born. -This is the day the Qayamat (doomsday) will occur. (From hadiths we know Qayamat will occur on a Friday, but does not specify which month) -Whoever baths of Ashura will never get ill.-Muharram is an evil or unlucky month. (Due to  the battle of Karbala) -Marriages should not be held in Muharram. All of the above are misconceptions based on unauthentic traditions. This misconception can be easily removed by the fact that on the exact same day Husain (ra) was martyred, years ago Prophet Musa (Alaihissalam) as and his followers were saved from Pharaoh, which is why Prophet Muhammad (sallallau alaihi wasallam) observed the fast on Ashura and ordered the Muslims to do the same. The day can not be lucky or unlucky at the same time. Historical Facts about Muharram
*Companion Umar Farooq (ra) succumbed to his injuries and attained Martyrdom on the 1st of Muharram, 23 AH (After Hijri)
*Grandson of Prophet Muhammad (sallallau alaihi wasallam) Hussain ibn Ali (ra) along with most of his family members was martyred in the desert of Kerbala in Iraq on the 10th of Muharram. Authentic Ibadaat (Worship) of Muharram
 *Fasting in Muharram (any day)
*Fasting on 10th Muharram and combining it with the fast of 9th Muharram to distinguish from the Jews. Innovations and things to avoid in Muharram
*Preparing special dishes meals in Muharram.
*Holding lamentation and mourning ceremonies in the memory of martyrdom of Sayyidna Husain (ra) *Cursing the companions. *Wearing black clothes and starving and refusing to drink in memory of Husain (ra) All these are deviant practices which go against the basic teachings of Qur'an and Prophet Muhammad (sallallau alaihi wasallam)
He said, "He is not from our group who slaps his checks, tears his clothes and cries in the manner of the people of jahiliyyah." (Sahih Bukhari) Sayyidna Husain (ra) before his demise advised his beloved sister Sayyidah Zainab (ra) not to mourn over his death in this manner. He said, "My dear sister! I swear upon you that in case I die you shall not tear your clothes, nor scratch your face, nor curse anyone for me or pray for your death." (Al-Kamil, ibn Kathir vol. 4 pg. 24) Alahumma infa`ni bima `allamtani wa `allamni ma yanfa`uni! OH ALLAH! Make useful for me what You taught me and teach me knowledge that will be useful to me!       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.     

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