Virtues Of Muharram And Fasting On 'Ashura'

The Muslim new-year has begun, and we are now in the sacred month of Muharram. This is one of four sacred months as Allah says in the Qur’an, {Verily the number of months with Allah are twelve months, so it was ordained by Allah on the day He created the heavens and earth, of them four are sacred} (Chapter 9, verse 36) This verse was explained by the Prophet (peace be upon him) in a Hadith, in which he said, “The year consists of twelve months, of which four are sacred, three consecutive months; Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, and Muharram, and Rajab of Mudar which comes between Jumada and Sha’baan.” (Bukhari and Muslim) So, Muharram is a sacred month, as prescribed by Allah. Sinning in the sacred months are worse than sinning in the regular months, as Ibn Abbas explained that sins in these months are more serious. On the other hand, doing good deeds, during these months bring a greater reward. Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The best of fasting after Ramadaan, is fasting Allah’s month of Muharram.” (Muslim)

Fasting is a means of attaining piety (taqwa), and what better time to observe it than in a sacred month, where it brings even greater reward?

In another Hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) specified the reward for fasting a day in this month; he said, “The one that keeps a fast in the month of Muharram, will receive the reward of thirty fasts, for each fast.” (At-Tabaraani) Imagine how much rewards Allah gives us, for one fast, you earn the reward of fasting a whole month! Yet, despite this huge reward, the Prophet (peace be upon him) is not reported to have fasted any other full month except Ramadaan. Meaning, he did not fast for the entire month of Muharram. Muharram is also special because the day of Ashura, occurs in it. Ashura is the day on which Allah saved Musa (peace be upon him) and the Children of Israel from Firawn (Pharaoh). Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) would fast on this day as thanksgiving to Allah. The Jews in Madinah during the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to fast on this day.

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to his companions, “We have more right to Musa, so fast on that day.”

Thus, fasting on the day of Ashura is recommended in the Sunnah. Many scholars recommended that we should fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram to distinguish ourselves from the Jews who only fasted on the tenth. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was eager to fast on this day, in hope of earning the reward. Ibn Abbas said, “I never saw the messenger of Allah so keen to fast any day and give it priority over any other day, than this day, the day of Ashura.” (Bukhari) The Prophet (peace be upon him) knew that Allah is the Most Merciful, and so he hoped for a great reward, as he (peace be upon him) said, “For fasting this day of Ashura, I hope that Allah will accept it as expiation for the year that went before.” (Muslim) Truly Allah’s mercy exceeds His anger, for merely fasting one day, sins of one entire year are washed away. Imam An-Nawawi explained that fasting the day of Ashura expiates all minor sins, meaning all sins except the major sins. In conclusion, the virtues of Muharram are many. Anyone who is able to should strive to earn the extra rewards available in this sacred month. The Prophet (peace be upon him) prescribed fasting as a means of piling the rewards, so let’s take this opportunity and begin.

Bibi Zainab Dowlut