Monthly Archives: November 2011

There are countless attributes that make Islam quite different from other major religions preceding it. The biggest virtue of Islam is that creator of the universe, Allah Almighty, has declared it as a religion of His preference that shall serve to guide humanity till The Day of Resurrection.

In fact, there are a few verses describing precisely about this in Holy Quran, such as:

Aal-e-Imran [3:85] If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah) never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).

Comprehensiveness Of Islam

As mentioned earlier, there are countless attributes that set Islam quite distinctively from other religions, one of them being beholder of the widest canvass that addresses all spheres of life, rather than just focusing on typical religious facet.

Islamic Concept Of Months

That is why Islam is also referred as a religion that offers complete code of life. It serves to address everything, from faith to practicalities of life, taking into account finer details of life. Qur’an, the book of Allah bestows its followers even the mechanism of months, describing it in detail, as mentioned in the following verse:

At-Taubah [9:36] The number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve (in a year)― so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred; that is the straight usage. So wrong not yourselves therein and fight the pagans all together as they fight you all together. But know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves.

Not only has this beautiful verse made it clear that Allah Almighty has eased out humanity by giving them an order of 12 months to mark an year, but it also makes clear that Allah Almighty holds 4 months sanctified than the rest, i.e. Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also signified this fact in his last sermon during his last Hajj in the following words:

“One year consists of twelve months, of which four are sanctified months, three of them are in sequence; Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and the fourth is Rajab.”

Sanctity Of Muharram

This article concerns with one of them majorly, i.e. Muharram, a sacred month that marks the beginning of the lunar Hijjrah Calendar. Though every month of the year is important, but there are some events of historical or religious importance associated with some months which make them a bit special than others. Same is the case with Muharram. Some of the significances of Muharram are listed here:

Fasting During Muharram

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) once said:

‘The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are those of the month of Muharram.”

This is very much of self explanatory hadhith that clearly signifies the importance of this month. The importance of fasts is very obvious to Muslims and when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) specifically mentions them with respect to a particular month other than Ramadan, there should be no doubt whatsoever about the sanctity of such a month, which is Muharram in this case. More important is the fact that these fasts are not mandatory, but they are promised of great rewards, and can be observed during whole month.

The Sacred “Ashurah” Day

As mentioned previously, every single day of Muharram is sanctified, but the 10^th of Muharram holds the highest significance among all other days, also referred commonly as “Ashurah”. Ibn-e-Abbas, a revered companion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) narrates:

The Prophet (PBUH), 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 Prophet Musa (Moses), alayhis salam, and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously and the Pharaoh was drowned in its waters. On hearing this from the Jews, the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said, “We are more closely rotated to Musa, alayhi salam, than you,” …and directed the Muslims to fast on the day of ‘Ashura’. (Abu Dawood)

Conclusion

Islam is definitely a religion that not only offers a code of conduct for life, but also bestows its followers with countless bounties engulfed within its teachings. This becomes even clearer to us by virtue of Quran learning, offering us blessings, as well as awakening of mind and soul.

Muslims should try their level best to follow the guidelines of the greatest and truest religion (Islam) blessed to them by Allah Almighty, and not only observe the sanctity of Muharram, but all through the year and all through their lives.

Source: faithofmuslims