BismilLahhirRahmannirRaheem
03/07/03
We are in the Islamic month of Muharram, which was respected even in the pre-Islamic period. The 10th of this month is called “Aashurah”, an Arabic word, which means ten. Every month and its 29 or 30 days are all alike, but by attaching special commands to some, Allah Subhana-o-Ta’ala has given importance to some months over other months and some days over other days. In Surah At-Tauba (Aaya 36), Qur’an says: “The number of months with Allah is 12. This is in accordance to His law since the day He created heavens and the earth. Of these 4 are holy.” These four months are: Muharram, Zul-Aqdah, Zul-Hijjah, and Ramadan.
Aashurah, the 10th day of Muharram has Allah’s special blessings to it. Pre-Islamic Quraish used to fast and decorate the Kaabah with a new cover on this day. It is possible that it was in line with some traditions of Sayyidina Ibraheem and Sayyidina Isma’eel, which Quraish knew from earlier history. Prophet (SAW) agreed and shared with Quraish all those good customs and traditions, which had their roots in the Sunnah of Sayyidina Ibraheem (AS) and were practiced and observed by Quraish. That is why Prophet (SAW) used to perform Hajj and fasted on the Aashurah. When Prophet (SAW) graced Madinah with his presence, he saw the Jews of the city fasting on that day. According to Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (RA), the Prophet (SAW) learned from the Jews that Aashurah was historic because Allah bestowed freedom to Prophet Musa and his people from Fir’on, and had him and his army drowned. Jews told the Prophet (SAW) that they observed fast on this day to thank Allah. Prophet (SAW) said that we being Muslims have greater rights and relationship with Allah’s Messenger Musa than Jews, and then Prophet (SAW) fasted and advised his Ummah to fast on that day. Both Muslim and Bukhari have recorded this. (According of Musnad Ahmad the arch of Prophet Nuh (AS) anchored on mount Judi on this very day.)
According to certain traditions Prophet (SAW)’s instructions to fast on Aashurah were similar in nature to those instructions, which were given for Fard or Waajib. (We know that performance of Fard and Waajib prayers is rewarded and their omission is punished.) As per Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim, Rubayya bint-e-Mu’awwid bin Afra, and Salma bin Al-Aku (RA) relate that once on the early morning of the day of Aashurah, Prophet (SAW) sent messages to the Ansaar living in the outskirts of Madinah to observe fast if they had not eaten or drank yet, but if they had, then they should refrain from eating and drinking and behave like those who were fasting. Scholars have deduced from these traditions that initially the fast of Aashurah was Waajib, and was made Musnoon after fasting of Ramadan was made obligatory. As recorded in Mishkaat (Volume 1, page 178) per Tirmizi, Hazrat Abu Hurairah relates that Prophet (SAW) said that the fast of Aashurah is the next to Ramadan in priority and rank. Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) relates his observation and says that Prophet (SAW) did not take special care of any other exalted days for fasting except the days of Aashurah and Ramadan.
Some people mistakenly think that Aashurah is exalted because Sayyidina Imaam Husain, the grandson of Prophet (SAW) achieved martyrdom on that day. The tragedy had happened after 60 years of Prophet (SAW)’s passing away. In fact it is Allah’s great favor that He further exalted the status of Sayyidina Imaam Husain by giving him martyrdom on the day, which was already honored and sanctified in Islam.
Many other things associated with Aashurah like: Prophet Adam was sent down on earth, or Prophet Ibraheem was thrown into fire, which was cooled for him on this day have no authenticity to them. It is sufficient enough to make this day important because Allah exalted it and His Messenger Prophet (SAW) commanded us to fast on this day. There is yet another important thing about this day. Before passing away from this world, when Prophet (SAW) observed fast on the last Aashurah of his life, he said that if was to live for another year, he would also fast the preceding and the following day of Aashurah, that is the 9th and 11th of Muharram. It was simply to make a clear distinction and avoid the resemblance between the practices of the Jews and that of Muslims. But Prophet (SAW) passed away the same year. In the light of Prophet (SAW) wish, the scholars have considered it as Makruh (disliked) to observe only one fast. It wouldn’t be a sin to fast that day alone, but the fulfillment of Prophet (SAW) wish will Insha Allah be much rewarded.
A lesson from Prophet (SAW) wish that we can learn is that our Prophet (SAW) did not like the slightest resemblance even in good actions with the non-Muslims. Why? Because the Deen that Allah Subhana-o-Ta’ala has given to us is superior, distinguished and dominates all other faiths due to its finality and perfection. That is why a Muslim should have the inward and outward distinction over non-Muslims. He should distinguish himself in words and actions, in manners and morals, in etiquettes and life style, in the religious and social life, and in customs and culture. Prophet (SAW) said: “One who adopts the resemblance of people of any given nation, he is from among them.”
The last word, I would like to add is that we should make every intention and try to translate into action what we have learned about Muharram and Aashurah. We should make every effort to distance ourselves from those customs and practices, which have no basis in our Deen and are non-Islamic in nature.
