Muharram is the most Important Month for Muslims
According to traditional customs, Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. Muharram itself means "forbidden", and because it is considered holy.
The month of Muharram holds a significant place for all Muslims. Especially for Shia Muslims, the tenth day of this month – known as Ashura – is commemorated every year because it was on this day in 680 AD that Hazrat Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), the beloved grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) family was martyred in Karbala .
In Karbala, Imam Hussain was accompanied by many other members of his family - including women and children - who were brutally killed along with his faithful followers. Hazrat Imam Hussain, the massacre of the Prophet's beloved grandson and his family reverberated throughout the Muslim Ummah.
However, the more enduring aspects of Imam Hussain's life continue to inspire Muslims in their daily lives – his example of determination, selfless leadership, perseverance in the face of oppression, and above all, his devotion to Allah and the cause of Islam.
Like other Shia communities, Ismaili Jamats do not celebrate any festivities during the first ten days of Muharram. They honor and respect the life and deeds of Imam Hussain and are inspired by the principles of justice, integrity and fairness that he exemplified. They also consider the principle of the Shia Ismaili living imam and his guidance to the murids to live ethically in the world.
Muharram is the month is also known as Muharram-ul-Haram and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) referred to it as the 'Sacred month of Allah'. It is an extremely important and blessed month for many reasons as we will explain below
What is Muharram?
The highly blessed month of Muharram is one of the four sacred months outlined by Allah and has a special significance –
“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is 12 [lunar] months in the record of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of which four are sacred. That is the right religion [i.e. way] so don't go wrong during them.
Every single deed, whether good or bad, is weighed more heavily in this month, so all Muslims should strive to be better. Muharram is significant because Allah has designated it as one of the four sacred months of the year; however, many Muslims observe it to commemorate the death of the grandsons of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Since this month is sacred, many Muslims fast during Muharram to increase their worship.
Allah commands us to take care of ourselves and prevent wrongs during this important month. This means that we should avoid unlawful and sinful acts and instead have pure intentions and perform righteous deeds and worship Allah .
Notable events of Muharram:
A number of notable events took place in the month of Muharram, the two most significant of which are:
1.Day of Ashura
2.Battle of Karbala
Day of Ashura:
The day of Ashura marks the day when Prophet Musa (Moses) (AS) and the Israelites were saved by Allah from Pharaoh by the parting of the Red Sea through which they were passing.
Another significant event that occurred on the Day of Ashura was when Prophet Nuh (Noah) (AS) finally left the Ark.
Fasting on the Day of Ashura
The practice of fasting on Ashura was known even before the emergence of Islam. When the Prophet (S.A.W.) arrived in Madinah at the time of migration, the Jews observed the fast on 'Ashura' and said, "This is the day when Moses was victorious over Pharaoh." Thereupon the Prophet (S.A.W.) said to his Companions (R.A.): "You (Muslims) have a greater right to celebrate the victory of Moses than they, so fast on this day." (Sahih Bukhari: 4680)
When various Companions (R.A.) told the Prophet (S.A.W.) that fasting on the Day of Ashura is celebrated among Jews and Christians, then the Prophet (S.A.W.) encouraged them by saying, "If I live to see the next year, I will fast on the ninth day (also of Muharram ). (Ibn Majah: 1736)
Unfortunately, the Prophet (S.A.W.) did not live to see another year. Therefore, Muslims consider the 9th and 10th of Muharram to be significant days in the Islamic calendar and fast on these days. [Sahih Muslim: 1134 (a)]
In light of the hadith, it is recommended but not obligatory that the fast on the 10th day of Muharram be combined with another fast, preferably on the 9th day of Muharram. This was because the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) wanted to distinguish the Islamic way of fasting from the Jewish way, because they only fast on the 10th day of Muharram. Most scholars agree that the fast of Ashura should be observed with a fast on the 9th or 11th of Muharram, but it is also acceptable to fast on the 10th.
It used to be obligatory to fast on the 10th day of Muharram. Later, however, fasting became obligatory only in Ramadan and fasting on 10th Muharram was optional. As narrated by Ayesha (R.A.) that the Prophet (S.A.W.) said: “Whoever wishes to fast (on the day of ‘Ashura’) may do so; and whoever wishes to leave may do so.” (Sahih Bukhari: 1592)
However, the Prophet (S.A.W.) fasted on the Day of Ashura even after fasting in Ramadan was obligatory.
So fasting on the day of "Ashura" is a confirmed Sunnah of the Prophet (S.A.W.) and entitles one to a great reward from Allah.
According to sahih hadiths, one of the many blessings of Allah for a person who fasts on the "Day of Ashura" is that their sins from the previous year will be forgiven.