MUHARRAM, AASHURA, KARBALA, SAHABA, AHL AL-BAYT

MUHARRAM, AASHURA, KARBALA, SAHABA, AHL AL-BAYT

By
Shaykh al-Hadith Hadhrat
Maulana Abdul Raheem
Hafizahullah

“Muharram” means “sacred” and it is one of the months declared as such in the Qur’an. Allah swt says منها اربعة حرم “From them (the 12 months), four are sacred” (ie. Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram & Rajab.)

Muharram marks the start of the Hijri calendar year. Hijrah means migration. After suffering 13 years of persecution at the hands of the polytheists, Rasulullah ﷺ migrated from Makkah Mukarramah to Madinah Munawwarah.

Since Islam was on the ascendancy after this migration, Sayyiduna Umar radhiallahu anhu started the Islamic calendar from Hijrah, not from his birth or death.

FASTING DURING MUHARRAM:

Since Muharram is sacred, It is recommended to fast in it.

A Hadith says: “The best of fasts, besides the month of Ramadhan, is the fast of Allah’s month, Muharram.” [Muslim]

“The one that keeps a fast in the month of Muharram will receive the reward of thirty fasts for each fast.” [Tabraani]

Ibn Rajab Rahmatullah Alayhi narrated from Abu Uthman Nahdi: “The salaf would revere three tens: The last ten of Ramadhan, the first ten of Dhul Hijjah & the first ten of Muharram”

AASHURAA:

The 10th of Muharram (Wednesday 5th July 2025 AD) is one of the blessed days in the Islamic Calendar.

It is the day in which Sayyiduna Musa alayhis-salam and the Banu Isra’eel crossed the Red Sea, and Pharaoh was drowned. The Jews of Madina Shareef would fast on this day as thanksgiving. Rasulullah ﷺ said to them: “We are more close to Musa than you.” (i.e. We resemble him more than you. Our beliefs are the same as his, we pray like him, we dress like him, whereas You have drifted away from his teachings). Then he fasted and instructed the Muslims to fast too. [Abu Dawood]

Before the fasts of Ramadhan were prescribed, the fast of the day of Aashuraa was necessary: Ummul Mu’mineen Aaisha Radhiallahu Anha stated that: “The Holy Prophet ﷺ ordered us to fast on Aashurah. When the fast of Ramadhan was made compulsory, then whosoever wished, kept this fast and whosoever desired did not observe this fast.” [Bukhari]

Nevertheless, the Prophet ﷺ continued to fast this day and encouraged his Companions to do the same. “This fast is an expiation for the sins of the previous year, (ie. minor sins)” [Muslim]

“When the Prophet ﷺ observed the fast of the day of Aashuraa and ordered (his Companions) to fast, they said: “Ya Rasulullah! It is a day revered by the Jews and Christians.” He replied: “The coming year, if I remain alive, I will fast on the ninth (also).” [Muslim]

Therefore, we should try to fast for two days; the 9th & 10th or 10th & 11th of Muharram, although one is sufficient too.

SPENDING MORE THAN NORMAL ON FAMILY AND DEPENDANTS:

“One who spends generously on his family on the day of Aashuraa, Allah will increase (his provision) throughout the year.” [Bayhaqi]

Sufyan ibn Uyaynah, a great Hadith scholar, said جربناه فوجدناه كذلك “We experienced it and found it to be true”.

SHAHAADAT OF SAYYIDUNA HUSSAIN RADHIALLAHU ANHU

On this day, Sayyiduna Hussain Ibn Ali radhiallahu anhuma was martyred mercilessly by the rogue army of Yazeed. This tragic incident took place in the plain of Karbala on the 10th of Muharram in the year 61AH. Details of his Shahadah are widely available.

We should remember Sayyiduna Hussain’s endeavours & sacrifices for establishing truth, and give some Sadaqah on his behalf. Read some Quran and send thawab to him and to the other Shuhadaa of Karbala.

Our Hazrat Maulana Yusuf Motala Saheb Rahmatullahi alayhi narrated that Hazrat Shaykhul Hadith Maulana Muhammad Zakaria Saheb Rahmatullahi alayhi would read one whole khatm of Quran for the ahle bayt everyday throughout the first ten days of Muharram.

We should also educate our young ones in this regard and teach them that if the grandson of the Prophet ﷺ could sacrifice his life to establish the truth, then why can’t we make some small sacrifices like praying 5 times a day. Why can’t we sacrifice our desires in order to follow the Sunnah? Why can’t we give up haram acts, haram food, haram drinks and haram income? This is also a sacrifice.

NAWHA; MAATAM, LAMENTING IS HARAM

We should teach our young ones that what many of the Shias do on this day, in the form of beating themselves in order to lament upon Sayyiduna Hussain’s martyrdom, is haram. It’s a forbidden act and those who lament in this manner are sinful, disobedient, misguided, & transgressors in the eyes of Allah.

It is haram to injure one’s body. This body is an amaanah (a trust) of Allah. Allah created us and commanded us to protect our bodies. We have to look after ourselves by eating properly and taking medication when needed. The Qur’an does not permit us to harm ourselves. It is sheer ignorance and madness to do so. It has nothing to do with our religion.

Allah says:
“و لا تلقوا بايديكم الي التهلكة”
“Do not throw yourselves into destruction”
‎ولا تقتلوا انفسكمً انً الله كان بكم رحيم
“Do not kill yourselves, Allah has always been Merciful to you”

Wearing black clothes & avoiding other colours, not holding weddings in Muharram and remaining sad throughout the whole month are all innovations and have nothing to do with Islam.

OUR BELIEF REGARDING THE HONOURABLE SAHABA

Any Shia who claims that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr RA, Sayyiduna Umar RA, Sayyiduna Uthman RA or the mother of the believers, Sayyidatuna Aisha RA or any other companion were kafirs, then they implicate themselves in disbelief. The hadith teaches us that if a person gives out ruling of kufr upon someone who is not a kafir, then this labelling of kufr returns to them and they become a kafir.

Sahaba were the best among this Ummah. No one can come close to them. In the Quran, Allah Ta’ala gave them the certificate of ‘Radhiallahu Anhum Wa Radhu Anhu’. (Allah is well pleased with them and they are well pleased with Allah). We must respect the Sahaba and realise their status among the Ummah.

We have to love both; the Sahaba and the Ahle Bayt, (The companions & the whole family of Rasulullah ﷺ). Our respected Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Bilal Saheb says: “We have two eyes, if someone pokes one we suffer. Similarly Sahaba and Ahle Bayt are like our two eyes; we can not tolerate the pain of criticism of any of them.”

May Allah give us true love of the Sahaba and all our pious predecessors.

May Allah give us tawfeeq to behave properly throughout the month of Muharram and throughout the whole year.

May Allah protect the ummah from the wrongdoings of anybody who curses and targets the honourable Sahaba.

May Allah give them hidayat and spread guidance throughout the world.

Ameen