The first month in the Islamic Year is the month of Muharram and the last month is the month of Zul Hijjah. The Islamic year has approximately 355 days. The Islamic calendar is based on the movement of the moon in the sky. When the new crescent is sighted, this means that the new month has commenced.
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, “After the fasts of Ramadhaan, the best fasts are during the month of Muharram.” It is reported from Ibn Abbaas (radiyallahu anhuma) that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “The one who observes the fast of the day of Arafah, two years of his (minor) sins will be forgiven and the one who fasts during the month of Muharram, for each day that he fasts, he will receive the reward of fasting for an entire month.”
FASTING IN MUHARRAM
Before fasting became compulsory in the month of Ramadhaan, the fast of the 10th of Muharram was compulsory. This day is known as “The Day of Aashura”. When Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) made Hijrat to Madinah Munawwarah, he noticed the Jews in Madinah fasting on this day. When he asked them why they were fasting on this day, they replied that this was the day when Allah Ta’ala saved Moosa (alayhis salaam) and the Banu Israa’eel (the followers of Hadhrat Moosa alayhis Salaam) from the cruelty and oppression of Fir’oun (the wicked king of Egypt) and his people. Allah Ta’ala destroyed Fir’oun and his army by drowning them in the Red Sea and He saved and protected Hadhrat Moosa (alayhis salaam) and his people. When Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) heard this, he said, “We are closer to Moosa (alayhis salaam) than you.” He then instructed the Sahaabah to fast on this day and ordered them to encourage their children also to fast. The Sahaabah used to make toys for their children out of wool and if any child felt hungry and cried for food, then they kept them busy with these toys until the time of Iftaar.
OPPOSING THE JEWS
This remained the practice of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and the Sahaabah till the end of his life. In the 11th year of Hijri, after the fast of Aashura, before Rasulullah (aallallahu alayhi wasallam) passed away, he commanded the Sahaabah (radhiallahu anhum) to oppose the Jews and to add another day of fasting together
with the tenth. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that if he lived till the following year, he would fast for two days; either the 9th and 10th or the 10th and 11th of Muharram. To fast on these days is optional and encouraged.
The lesson we learn from this is that we should always oppose the non-Muslims in their ways. As Muslims we are different from the rest of the world. We have our own way of dressing, eating, sleeping, etc. We follow the way of life of our beloved Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) and not the way of his enemies.
SPENDING ON ONE’S FAMILY
Besides fasting, we should buy some extra food for our family on the day of Aashura. Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (radiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “Whoever spends freely upon his family on the day of Aashura, Allah Ta`ala will bless him with plentiful provisions for an entire year.” No other actions were done by Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) or the Sahaabah on this blessed day. Therefore, all other practices which are regarded as acts of Ibaadah and virtues of Aashoorah will be without any benefit or reward, but will be a source of sin and punishment. May Allah Ta’ala protect us from such actions. Aameen