Virtue of the Month of Muharram
By the Name of Allah, praises be to Allah, prayer and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). A good and pious Muslim should be careful to exploit any chance that may draw him near to Allah the Al-Mighty. That may be through engaging in worship during times with a special position before Allah. And among these times is the month of Muharram
The Month of Muharram is One of the Sacred Months
Muharram is the first month, according to the Hijri Calendar. It is one of the four sacred months: Dhul-Qi’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab. These months are called so because Allah has forbidden fighting during them.
Allah the Al-Mighty said: “Surely, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year) as ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four are sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein.”
This verse shows the special sanctity of these four sacred months as Allah says about them, “so wrong not yourselves therein.” This indicates that the punishment of committing sins during these months is severe than that of committing it in any other time. So keep away from any deed that may lead you to fall into any act of disobedience.
Good Deeds during the Month of Muharram
While committing sins during Muharram is severe due to its sanctity, performing good deeds also brings more reward than good deeds during other times. This is a call to all Muslims to increase their good and righteous deeds during Muharram. They should offer more voluntary prayers, fast most of the month, give charity, send many blessings to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), recite Istighfar, celebrate much remembrance of Allah, and so on.
Fasting in Muharram
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The best month for observing fasting after Ramadan is Allah’s month of Muharram.” (Narrated by Muslim)
This Hadith refers to the greatness of fasting during the month of Muharram. Fasting during it comes after the obligatory fasting in Ramadan. This urges the Muslims to strive to fast most of this month to attain great reward from Allah.
Moreover, the Prophetic expression “Allah’s month of Muharram” shows the magnificence and importance of this month. It is the month of Allah, and this is sufficient as a motive to all Muslims not to let any day of this month pass without performing acts that draw them neat to Allah Glory be to Him.
The Day of ‘Ashoora
The day of ‘Ashoora is the tenth day of Muharram. It bears great significance not only to Muslims but also to Jews because it is the day on which Allah saved Prophet Moses and the believers from the disbelievers led by the Pharaoh. So it is from the Sunnah to fast this day.
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) reported that when God’s messenger fasted on the day of ‘Ashoora and commanded that it should be observed as a fast, he was told it was a day held in honor by Jews and Christians, and so he said: “If I am spared till next year I shall fast on the ninth.” (Narrated by Muslim)
The Prophet means by fasting the ninth that he will fast both the ninth and the tenth. This may be for the sake of opposing the Jews.
Favor of Fasting the Day of ‘Ashoora
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “I seek from God that fasting on the day of ‘Ashoora may atone for the sins of the preceding year.”
This Hadith expresses the favor of fasting on the day of ‘Ashoora as it expiates for sins of the preceding year. What great is this! How Generous is Allah! You fast one day and He rewards you with removing sins you committed during a whole year. It was said that the sins here refer to minor sins, not major sins. So it is a good opportunity you should exploit so that your sins will be erased.
Martyrdom of Imam Husain
Imam al-Husain bin Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), the grandson of the Prophet (peace be upon him), was martyred during the month of Muharram. This event reminds us of his sacrifice when he practiced patience and justice and stood against oppression until he was killed for the Cause of Allah.
From the above, we can conclude the Virtues of the Month of Muharram as follows:
1- It is the month of Allah.
2- It is one of the sacred months.
3- The reward for good deeds during this time is greater.
4- Punishment of evil deeds during it is severe.
5- Fast comes after fasting Ramadan regarding favor.
6- It contains the day of ‘Ashoora, on which Allah saved Moses and the believers with him from the Pharaoh.
7- Fast the day of ‘Ashoora expiates for sins of the preceding year.
Conclusion
It has become clear how great the month of Allah, Muharram, is. It is a month full of favors and virtues that we shall attain by engaging in various acts of worshipping, especially fasting, so that you would get closer to Allah and your sins would be expiated for.
May Allah grant us the greatness and virtues of this sacred month and help us to draw near to Him!