Muharram

Muharram

(The first month of the Islamic year)

The first month in the Islamic calendar

• Is the first month of the Islamic Calendar? Muharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar Hijrah Calendar. Muharram is one of four months that have been designated as holy according to the Islamic calendar, the other three being – Dhul-Qa’adah, Dhul-Hijjah and Rajab. 
  
  
• The meaning of the word:- The word "Muharram" means "Forbidden."  Even before Islam, this month was always known as a scared month in which all unlawful acts were forbidden, prominently the shedding of blood.
• A blessing of Muharram:- There are many bounties of this month, especially the tenth of Muharram.
• Two of the many virtues of the 10th of Muharram:- (1).On this day he who spends more lavishly for the sake of his family members, Allah Ta'aalaa will bestow blessing upon the sustenance of the following year. (2).Abu Qataada (R.A.) has related that the Prophet  has reported to have said, It is my thought that by fasting on the 10th of Muharram Allah Ta'aalaa will pardon the sins of the past year. (Tirmizi)
• Events of Muharram: - PRIOR TO ISLAM
  *Adam (A.S.) was born and had entered Paradise on the 10th of Muharram.
  *Ayyub (A.S.) was cured from his illness.
  *A way was made in the sea for Bani Israel.
  *Suleman (A.S.) was ordained King.
  *The oceans and Heavens were created.            (Tanbihul-Gaafileen)

            During Islam: -
          Hadhrat Hussain (R.A.) was martyred in this month.

 Fasting in the month of Muharram

• The Noble Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) has said: "The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are those of the month of Muharram."

The day of 'Ashurah'

• Although the month of Muharram is a sanctified month as a whole, yet, the 10th day of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named 'Ashurah'.

According to the Holy Companion Ibn 'Abbas (Radhiallaahu Anhu). The Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), when migrated to Madinah, found that the Jews of Madinah used to fast on the 10th day of Muharram. They said that it was the day on which the Holy Prophet Musa

(Moses) (Alayhis salaam) and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously and the Pharaoh was drowned in its waters. On hearing this from the Jews, the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, "We are more closely rotated [ilm-net editor-related] to Musa (Alayhis salaam) than you" and directed the Muslims to fast on the day of 'Ashura'. (Abu Dawood)

• According to another Hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of 'Ashura' should either be prefixed or suffixed by another fast. It means that one should fast two days: the 9th and 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th of it. The reason of this additional fast as mentioned by the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is that the Jews used to fast on the day of 'Ashura alone, and the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) wanted to distinguish the Muslim way of fasting from that of Jews. Therefore, he advised the Muslims to add another fast to that of 'Ashura'.

• It is to celebrate on the day of `Ashura. In a hadith by Jabir Bin Abdullah, the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: "Whoever spends generously on himself and his family on the day of `Ashura, Allah will provide for him generously the rest of his year." (Al-Bayhaqi)

·         Here are some activities that are recommended for the day of Ashurah:

1. To observe fast on this day.
2. To give as much charity as you can afford. 
3. To perform Nafl Salat prayers. 
4. To visit and be in the company of pious Ulema. 
6. To place a hand of affection on an orphan’s head. 
7. To give generously to one’s relatives. 
8. To put surma in one’s eyes. 
9. To take a bath. 
10. To cut one’s nails. 
11. To visit the sick. 
12. To establish friendly ties with one’s enemies.  

The tragedy at Kerbala
In the month of Muharram many centuries ago, (approximately October 20th 680 A.D.), an event took place in Iraq at a place known as Kerbala on the bank of the river Euphrates. 
A large army, which had been mobilised by the Umayyad regime, besieged a group of persons numbering less than a hundred and put them under pressure to pay allegiance to the Caliph of the time and submit to his authority. The Caliph was a man much taken with earthly pleasures that deviated from the Islamic way of life. The small group resisted and a severe battle took place in which they were all killed. The leader of the small band of men who were martyred in Kerbala was none other than Imam Husain, the grandson of the Holy Prophet. 
Imam Husain’s martyrdom at Kerbala represents a courageous resistance for a sacred cause. The tragedy was that the one who stood up to defend Islam was cut down in so cruel a manner.

NOTE:

Basic Theme: The Difference in the festivals of Islam vs. other religions is that the festivals in Islam have been prescribed for paying gratitude to Allah on the happy events that take place every year. The first event is the completion of the fasts of Ramadan and the second event is the completion of Hajj, another form of worship regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam. The manner prescribed for the celebration of these two Eids (festivals) is also different from non-Islamic festivals. There are no formal processions, illumination or other activities showing formal happiness. On the contrary, there are congregational prayers and informal mutual visits to each other, which can give real happiness instead of its symbols only.

To do List: To make the kids learn some practical points on 10^th of Ashura.

Homework: To make the Islamic New Year Cards.