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Virtues of Muharram and the Day of Ashoora
jannah
03/26/01 at 22:36:29
Another year of our life has ended. Let us see ourselves what have we accomplished' May Allah reward us for all the efforts we have made over the past one year and forgive us for whatever mistakes happened over the course of last year. Alhamdulillah, we are starting the new Islamic calendar year, 1422 Hijrah now. We pray from Allah (SWT) that the new coming year brings all the best for all the Muslims around the world. We ask Allah (SWT) to bring the prosperity in the whole world, protect the human beings from all kind of disasters and problems. We ask Allah (SWT) to help our Muslim brothers and sisters in all the places in the world in their struggle against oppressors. May Allah guide all the rulers of Muslim countries so that they can follow the way of Quran and Sunnah. May Allah make the coming year a year of peace and tranquility for whole humanity. May Allah help all the Muslims living in non-Muslim world to communicate the message of Islam to every one around them. May Allah open the hearts and minds of all human beings so that they can make Al-Islam their Way of Life. May Allah help the Islamic workers to become the role models for Muslims and Non-Muslims in their communities. May Allah help them learn and gain the knowledge of this world so that they can be well prepared for here after. (Aameen) Wassalam ========================================= The Virtues of Allah's sacred month of Muharram and Fasting on 'Aashooraa' What are the virtues of the month of Muharram and fasting 'Aashooraa'' Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets and Chief of the Messengers, and upon all his family and companions. Allah's sacred month of Muharram is a blessed and important month. It is the first month of the Hijri calendar and is one of the four sacred months concerning which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 'Verily, the number of months with Allaah is twelve months (in a year), so it was ordained by Allaah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four are sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein'' [al-Tawbah 9:36] Abu Bakrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: 'The year is twelve months of which four are sacred, the three consecutive months of Dhu'l-Qa'dah, Dhu'l-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab Mudar which comes between Jumaada and Sha'baan.' (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 2958). Muharram is so called because it is a sacred (muharram) month and to confirm its sanctity. Allaah's words (interpretation of the meaning): 'so wrong not yourselves therein'' mean do not wrong yourselves in these sacred months, because sin in these months is worse than in other months. It was reported that Ibn 'Abbaas said that this phrase (so wrong not yourselves therein') referred to all the months, then these four were singled out and made sacred, so that sin in these months is more serious and good deeds bring a greater reward. Qutaadah said concerning this phrase (so wrong not yourselves therein') that wrongdoing during the sacred months is more serious and more sinful that wrongdoing at any other time. Wrongdoing at any time is a serious matter, but Allaah gives more weight to whichever of His commands He will. Allaah has chosen certain ones of His creation. He has chosen from among the angels Messengers and from among mankind Messengers. He chose from among speech the remembrance of Him (dhikr). He chose from among the earth the mosques, from among the months Ramadaan and the sacred months, from among the days Friday and from among the nights Laylat al-Qadr, so venerate that which Allaah has told us to venerate. People of understanding and wisdom venerate the things that Allaah has told us to venerate. (Summarized from the Tafseer of Ibn Katheer, may Allaah have mercy on him. Tafseer of Surat al-Tawbah, aayah 36). The Virtue of observing more naafil fasts during Muharram. Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: 'The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: 'The best of fasting after Ramadaan is fasting Allaah's month of Muharram.'' (reported by Muslim, 1982). The phrase 'Allaah's month', connecting the name of the month to the name of Allaah in a genitive grammatical structure, signifies the importance of the month. Al-Qaari said: 'The apparent meaning is all of the month of Muharram.' But it was proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) never fasted any whole month apart from Ramadan, so this hadeeth is probably meant to encourage increasing one's fasting during Muharram, without meaning that one should fast for the entire month. It was reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast more in Sha'baan. It is likely that the virtue of Muharram was not revealed to him until the end of his life, before he was able to fast during this month. (Sharh al-Nawawi 'ala Saheeh Muslim). Allaah chooses whatever times and places He wills Al-'Izz ibn 'Abd al-Salaam (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 'Times and places may be given preferred status in two ways, either temporal or religious/spiritual. With regard to the latter, this is because Allaah bestows His generosity on His slaves at those times or in those places, by giving a greater reward for deeds done, such as giving a greater reward for fasting in Ramadaan than for fasting at all other times, and also on the day of 'Aashooraa', the virtue of which is due to Allaah's generosity and kindness towards His slaves on that day'' (Qawaa'id al-Ahkaam, 1/38). 'Aashooraa' in History Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: 'The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to Madeenah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of 'Aashooraa'. He said, 'What is this'' They said, 'This is a righteous day, it is the day when Allaah saved the Children of Israel from their enemies, so Moosa fasted on this day.' He said, 'We have more right to Moosa than you,' so he fasted on that day and commanded [the Muslims] to fast on that day.' (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 1865). 'This is a righteous day' ' in a report narrated by Muslim, [the Jews said:] 'This is a great day, on which Allaah saved Moosa and his people, and drowned Pharaoh and his people.' 'Moosa fasted on this day' ' a report narrated by Muslim adds: '' in thanksgiving to Allaah, so we fast on this day.' According to a report narrated by al-Bukhaari: '' so we fast on this day to venerate it.' A version narrated by Imaam Ahmad adds: 'This is the day on which the Ark settled on Mount Joodi, so Nooh fasted this day in thanksgiving.' 'and commanded [the Muslims] to fast on that day' ' according to another report also narrated by al-Bukhaari: 'He said to his Companions: 'You have more right to Moosa than they do, so fast on that day.' The practice of fasting on 'Aashooraa' was known even in the days of Jaahiliyyah, before the Prophet's mission. It was reported that 'Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: 'The people of Jaahiliyyah used to fast on that day'' Al-Qurtubi said: 'Perhaps Quraysh used to fast on that day on the basis of some past law, such as that of Ibraaheem, upon whom be peace.' It was also reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast on 'Aashooraa' in Makkah, before he migrated to Madeenah. When he migrated to Madeenah, he found the Jews celebrating this day, so he asked them why, and they replied as described in the hadeeth quoted above. He commanded the Muslims to be different from the Jews, who took it as a festival, as was reported in the hadeeth of Abu Moosa (may Allaah be pleased with him), who said: 'The Jews used to take the day of 'Aashooraa' as a festival [according to a report narrated by Muslim: the day of 'Aashooraa' was venerated by the Jews, who took it as a festival. According to another report also narrated by Muslim: the people of Khaybar (the Jews) used to take it as a festival and their women would wear their jewellery and symbols on that day]. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: 'So you [Muslims] should fast on that day.'' (Reported by al-Bukhaari). Apparently the motive for commanding the Muslims to fast on this day was the desire to be different from the Jews, so that the Muslims would fast when the Jews did not, because people do not fast on a day of celebration. (Summarized from the words of al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar ' may Allaah have mercy on him ' in Fath al-Baari Sharh 'ala Saheeh al-Bukhaari). Fasting on 'Aashooraa' was a gradual step in the process of introducing fasting as a prescribed obligation in Islam. Fasting appeared in three forms. When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to Madeenah, he told the Muslims to fast on three days of every month and on the day of 'Aashooraa', then Allaah made fasting obligatory when He said (interpretation of the meaning): '' observing the fasting is prescribed for you'' [al-Baqarah 2:183] (Ahkaam al-Qur'aan by al-Jassas, part 1). The obligation was transferred from the fast of 'Aashooraa' to the fast of Ramadaan, and this one of the proofs in the field of Usool al-Fiqh that it is possible to abrogate a lighter duty in favour of a heavier duty. Before the obligation of fasting 'Aashooraa' was abrogated, fasting on this day was obligatory, as can be seen from the clear command to observe this fast. Then it was further confirmed later on, then reaffirmed by making it a general command addressed to everybody, and once again by instructing mothers not to breastfeed their infants during this fast. It was reported from Ibn Mas'ood that when fasting Ramadaan was made obligatory, the obligation to fast 'Aashooraa' was lifted, i.e., it was no longer obligatory to fast on this day, but it is still desirable (mustahabb). The virtues of fasting 'Aashooraa' Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said: 'I never saw the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) so keen to fast any day and give it priority over any other than this day, the day of 'Aashooraa', and this month, meaning Ramadaan.' (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 1867). The meaning of his being keen was that he intended to fast on that day in the hope of earning the reward for doing so. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: 'For fasting the day of 'Aashooraa', I hope that Allaah will accept it as expiation for the year that went before.' (Reported by Muslim, 1976). This is from the bounty of Allaah towards us: for fasting one day He gives us expiation for the sins of a whole year. And Allaah is the Owner of Great Bounty. Which day is 'Aashooraa'' Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: ' 'Aashooraa' and Taasoo'aa' are two elongated names [the vowels are elongated] as is stated in books on the Arabic language. Our companions said: 'Aashooraa' is the tenth day of Muharram and Taasoo'aa' is the ninth day. This is our opinion, and that of the majority of scholars. This is the apparent meaning of the ahaadeeth and is what we understand from the general wording. It is also what is usually understood by scholars of the language.' (al-Majmoo') 'Aashooraa' is an Islamic name that was not known at the time of Jaahiliyyah. (Kashshaaf al-Qinaa', part 2, Sawm Muharram). Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: ' 'Aashooraa' is the tenth day of Muharram. This is the opinion of Sa'eed ibn al-Musayyib and al-Hasan. It was what was reported by Ibn 'Abbaas, who said: 'The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded us to fast 'Aashooraa', the tenth day of Muharram.' (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, who said, a saheeh hasan hadeeth). It was reported that Ibn 'Abbaas said: 'The ninth,' and reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast the ninth. (Reported by Muslim). 'Ataa' reported that he said, 'Fast the ninth and the tenth, and do not be like the Jews.' If this is understood, we can say on this basis that it is mustahabb (encouraged) to fast on the ninth and the tenth, for that reason. This is what Ahmad said, and it is the opinion of Ishaaq.' It is mustahabb (encouraged) to fast Taasoo'aa' with 'Aashooraa' 'Abd-Allaah ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said: 'When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) fasted on 'Aashooraa' and commanded the Muslims to fast as well, they said, 'O Messenger of Allaah, it is a day that is venerated by the Jews and Christians.' The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, 'If I live to see the next year, in sha Allaah, we will fast on the ninth day too.' But it so happened that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) passed away before the next year came.' (Reported by Muslim, 1916). Al-Shaafa'i and his companions, Ahmad, Ishaaq and others said: 'It is mustahabb to fast on both the ninth and tenth days, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) fasted on the tenth, and intended to fast on the ninth.' On this basis it may be said that there are varying degrees of fasting 'Aashooraa', the least of which is to fast only on the tenth and the best of which is to fast the ninth as well. The more one fasts in Muharram, the better it is. The reason why it is mustahabb to fast on Taasoo'aa' Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 'The scholars ' our companions and others ' mentioned several reasons why it is mustahabb to fast on Taasoo'aa': the intention behind it is to be different from the Jews, who only venerate the tenth day. This opinion was reported from Ibn 'Abbaas' the intention is to add another day's fast to 'Aashooraa'. This is akin to the prohibition on fasting a Friday by itself, as was mentioned by al-Khattaabi and others. To be on the safe side and make sure that one fasts on the tenth, in case there is some error in sighting the crescent moon at the beginning of Muharram and the ninth is in fact the tenth.' The strongest of these reasons is being different from the People of the Book. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 'The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade imitating the People of the Book in many ahaadeeth, for example, his words concerning 'Aashooraa': 'If I live until the next year, I will certainly fast on the ninth day.'' (al-Fataawa al-Kubra, part 6, Sadd al-Dharaa'i' al-Mufdiyah ila'l-Mahaarim ) Ibn Hajar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said in his commentary on the hadeeth 'If I live until the next year, I will certainly fast on the ninth day': 'What he meant by fasting on the ninth day was probably not that he would limit himself to that day, but would add it to the tenth, either to be on the safe side or to be different from the Jews and Christians, which is more likely. This is also what we can understand from some of the reports narrated by Muslim.' (Fath, 4/245). Ruling on fasting only on the day of 'Aashooraa' Shaykh al-Islam said: 'Fasting on the day of 'Aashoraa' is an expiation for a year, and it is not makrooh to fast only that day'' (al-Fataawa al-Kubra, part 5). In Tuhfat al-Muhtaaj by Ibn Hajar al-Haytami, it says: 'There is nothing wrong with fasting only on 'Aashooraa'.' (part 3, Baab Sawm al-Tatawwu'). Fasting on 'Aashooraa' even if it is a Saturday or a Friday Al-Tahhaawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 'The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) allowed us to fast on 'Aashooraa' and urged us to do so. He did not say that if it falls on a Saturday we should not fast. This is evidence that all days of the week are included in this. In our view ' and Allaah knows best ' it could be the case that even if this is true (that it is not allowed to fast on Saturdays), it is so that we do not venerate this day and refrain from food, drink and intercourse, as the Jews do. As for the one who fasts on a Saturday without intending to venerate it, and does not do so because the Jews regard it as blessed, then this is not makrooh'' (Mushkil al-Aathaar, part 2, Baab Sawm Yawm al-Sabt). The author of al-Minhaaj said: ' 'It is disliked (makrooh) to fast on a Friday alone'' But it is no longer makrooh if you add another day to it, as mentioned in the saheeh report to that effect. A person may fast on a Friday if it coincides with his habitual fast, or he is fasting in fulfilment of a vow, or he is making up an obligatory fast that he has missed, as was stated in a saheeh report.'   Al-Shaarih said in Tuhfat al-Muhtaaj: ' 'If it coincides with his habitual fast' ' i.e., such as if he fasts alternate days, and a day that he fasts happens to be a Friday. ' if he is fasting in fulfilment of a vow, etc.' ' this also applies to fasting on days prescribed in sharee'ah, such as 'Aashooraa' or 'Arafaah. (Tuhfat al-Muhtaaj, part 3, Baab Sawm al-Tatawwu') Al-Bahooti (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 'It is makrooh to deliberately single out a Saturday for fasting, because of the hadeeth of 'Abd-Allaah ibn Bishr, who reported from his sister: 'Do not fast on Saturdays except in the case of obligatory fasts' (reported by Ahmad with a jayyid isnaad and by al-Haakim, who said: according to the conditions of al-Bukhaari), and because it is a day that is venerated by the Jews, so singling it out for fasting means being like them' except when a Friday or Saturday coincides with a day when Muslims habitually fast, such as when it coincides with the day of 'Arafaah or the day of 'Aashooraa', and a person has the habit of fasting on these days, in which case it is not makrooh, because a person's habit carries some weight.' (Kashshaaf al-Qinaa', part 2, Baab Sawm al-Tatawwu'). What should be done if there is confusion about the beginning of the month' Ahmad said: 'If there is confusion about the beginning of the month, one should fast for three days, to be sure of fasting on the ninth and tenth days.' (al-Mughni by Ibn Qudaamah, part 3 ' al-Siyaam ' Siyaam 'Aashooraa'). If a person does not know when Muharram began, and he wants to be sure of fasting on the tenth, he should assume that Dhoo'l-Hijjah was thirty days ' as is the usual rule ' and should fast on the ninth and tenth. Whoever wants to be sure of fasting the ninth as well should fast the eight, ninth and tenth (then if Dhoo'l-Hijjah was twenty-nine days, he can be sure of having fasted Taasoo'aa' and 'Aashooraa'). But given that fasting on 'Aashooraa' is mustahabb rather than waajib, people are not commanded to look for the crescent of the new moon of Muharram as they are to do in the case of Ramadaan and Shawwaal. Fasting 'Aashooraa' ' for what does it offer expiation' Imaam al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 'It expiates for all minor sins, i.e., it brings forgiveness of all sins except major sins.' Then he said (may Allaah have mercy on him): 'Fasting the day of 'Arafaah expiates for two years, and the day of 'Aashooraa' expiates for one year. If when a person says 'Aameen' it coincides with the 'Aameen' of the angels, he will be forgiven all his previous sins' Each one of the things that we have mentioned will bring expiation. If there are minor sins for which expiation is needed, expiation for them will be accepted; if there are no minor sins or major sins, good deeds will be added to his account and he will be raised in status' If he had committed major sins but no minor sins, we hope that his major sins will be reduced.' (al-Majmoo' Sharh al-Muhadhdhab, part 6, Sawm Yawm 'Arafaah). Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 'Tahaarah, salaah, and fasting in Ramadaan, on the day of 'Arafaah and on 'Aashooraa' expiate for minor sins only.' (al-Fataawa al-Kubra, part 5). Not relying too much on the reward for fasting Some people who are deceived rely too much on things like fasting on 'Aashooraa' or the day of 'Arafaah, to the extent that some of them say, 'Fasting on 'Aashooraa' will expiate for the sins of the whole year, and fasting on the day of 'Arafaah will bring extra rewards.' Ibn al-Qayyim said: 'This misguided person does not know that fasting in Ramadaan and praying five times a day are much more important than fasting on the day of 'Arafaah and 'Aashooraa', and that they expiate for the sins between one Ramadaan and the next, or between one Friday and the next, so long as one avoids major sins. But they cannot expiate for minor sins unless one also avoids major sins; when the two things are put together, they have the strength to expiate for minor sins. Among those deceived people may be one who thinks that his good deeds are more than his sins, because he does not pay attention to his bad deeds or check on his sins, but if he does a good deed he remembers it and relies on it. This is like the one who seeks Allaah's forgiveness with his tongue (i.e., by words only), and glorifies Allaah by saying 'Subhaan Allaah' one hundred times a day, then he backbites about the Muslims and slanders their honour, and speaks all day long about things that are not pleasing to Allaah. This person is always thinking about the virtues of his tasbeehaat (saying 'Subhaan Allaah') and tahleelaat (saying 'Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah') but he pays no attention to what has been reported concerning those who backbite, tell lies and slander others, or commit other sins of the tongue. They are completely deceived.' (al-Mawsoo'ah al-Fiqhiyyah, part 31, Ghuroor). Fasting 'Aashooraa' when one still has days to make up from Ramadaan The fuqahaa' differed concerning the ruling on observing voluntary fasts before a person has made up days that he or she did not fast in Ramadaan. The Hanafis said that it is permissible to observe voluntary fasts before making up days from Ramadaan, and it is not makrooh to do so, because the missed days do not have to be made up straight away. The Maalikis and Shaafa'is said that it is permissible but is makrooh, because it means that one is delaying something obligatory. Al-Dusooqi said: 'It is makrooh to observe a voluntary fast when one still has to make up an obligatory fast, such as a fast in fulfilment of a vow, or a missed obligatory fast, or a fast done as an act of expiation (kafaarah), whether the voluntary fast which is being given priority over an obligatory fast is something confirmed in sharee'ah or not, such as 'Aashooraa' and the ninth of Dhoo'l-Hijjah, according to the most correct opinion.' The Hanbalis said that it is haraam to observe a voluntary fast before making up any fasts missed in Ramadaan, and that a voluntary fast in such cases does not count, even if there is plenty of time to make up the obligatory fast. So a person must give priority to the obligatory fasts until he has made them up.. (al-Mawsoo'ah al-Fiqhiyyah, part 28, Sawm al-tatawwu'). Muslims must hasten to make up any missed fasts after Ramadaan, so that they will be able to fast 'Arafaah and 'Aashooraa' without any problem. If a person fasts 'Arafaah and 'Aashooraa' with the intention from the night before of making up for a missed fast, this will be good enough to make up what he has missed, for the bounty of Allaah is great. Bid'ahs common on 'Aashooraa' Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about the things that people do on 'Aashooraa', such as wearing kohl, taking a bath (ghusl), wearing henna, shaking hands with one another, cooking grains (huboob), showing happiness and so on. Was any of this reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in a saheeh hadeeth, or not' If nothing to that effect was reported in a saheeh hadeeth, is doing these things bid'ah, or not' Is there any basis for what the other group do, such as grieving and mourning, going without anything to drink, eulogizing and wailing, reciting in a crazy manner, and rending their garments' His reply was: 'Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds. Nothing to that effect has been reported in any saheeh hadeeth from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or from his Companions. None of the imaams of the Muslims encouraged or recommended such things, neither the four imaams, nor any others. No reliable scholars have narrated anything like this, neither from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), nor from the Sahaabah, nor from the Taabi'een; neither in any saheeh report or in a da'eef (weak) report; neither in the books of Saheeh, nor in al-Sunan, nor in the Musnads. No hadeeth of this nature was known during the best centuries, but some of the later narrators reported ahaadeeth like the one which says, 'Whoever puts kohl in his eyes on the day of 'Aashooraa' will not suffer from eye disease in that year, and whoever takes a bath (does ghusl) on the day of 'Aashooraa' will not get sick in that year,' and so on. They also reported a fabricated hadeeth that is falsely attributed to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), which says, 'Whoever is generous to his family on the day of 'Aashooraa', Allaah will be generous to him for the rest of the year.' Reporting all of this from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is tantamount to lying.' Then he [Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him)] discussed in brief the tribulations that had occurred in the early days of this ummah and the killing of al-Husayn (may Allaah be pleased with him), and what the various sects had done because of this. Then he said: 'An ignorant, wrongful group ' who were either heretics and hypocrites, or misguided and misled ' made a show of allegiance to him and the members of his household, so they took the day of 'Aashooraa' as a day of mourning and wailing, in which they openly displayed the rituals of jaahiliyyah such as slapping their cheeks and rending their garments, grieving in the manner of the jaahiliyyah' The Shaytaan made this attractive to those who are misled, so they took the day of 'Aashooraa' as an occasion of mourning, when they grieve and wail, recite poems of grief and tell stories filled with lies. Whatever truth there may be in these stories serves no purpose other than the renewal of their grief and sectarian feeling, and the stirring up of hatred and hostility among the Muslims, which they do by cursing those who came before them' The evil and harm that they do to the Muslims cannot be enumerated by any man, no matter how eloquent he is. Some others ' either Naasibis who oppose and have enmity towards al-Husayn and his family or ignorant people who try to fight evil with evil, corruption with corruption, lies with lies and bid'ah with bid'ah ' opposed them by fabricating reports in favour of making the day of 'Aashooraa' a day of celebration, by wearing kohl and henna, spending money on one's children, cooking special dishes and other things that are done on Eids and special occasions. These people took the day of 'Aashooraa' as a festival like Eid, whereas the others took it as a day of mourning. Both are wrong, and both go against the Sunnah, even though the other group (those who take it as a day of mourning) are worse in intention and more ignorant and more plainly wrong' Neither the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) nor his successors (the khulafa' al-raashidoon) did any of these things on the day of 'Aashooraa', they neither made it a day of mourning nor a day of celebration' As for the other things, such as cooking special dishes with or without grains, or wearing new clothes, or spending money on one's family, or buying the year's supplies on that day, or doing special acts of worship such as special prayers or deliberately slaughtering an animal on that day, or saving some of the meat of the sacrifice to cook with grains, or wearing kohl and henna, or taking a bath (ghusl), or shaking hands with one another, or visiting one another, or visiting the mosques and mashhads (shrines) and so on' all of this is reprehensible bid'ah and is wrong. None of it has anything to do with the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or the way of the Khulafa' al-Raashidoon. It was not approved of by any of the imaams of the Muslims, not Maalik, not al-Thawri, not al-Layth ibn Sa'd, not Abu Haneefah, not al-Oozaa'i, not al-Shaafa'i, not Ahmad ibn Hanbal, not Ishaaq ibn Raahwayh, not any of the imaams and scholars of the Muslims.'(al-Fataawa al-Kubra by Ibn Taymiyah) Ibn al-Haaj (may Allaah have mercy on him) mentioned that one of the bid'ahs on 'Aashooraa' was deliberately paying zakaat on this day, late or early, or slaughtering a chicken just for this occasion, or ' in the case of women ' using henna. (al-Madkhal, part 1, Yawm 'Aashooraa') We ask Allaah to make us followers of the Sunnah of His Noble Prophet, to make us live in Islam and die in a state of faith. May He help us to do that which He loves and which pleases Him. We ask Him to help us to remember Him and be thankful to Him, to worship Him properly and to accept our good deeds. May He make us of those who are pious and fear Him. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and all his family and companions.

Re: Virtues of Muharram and the Day of Ashoora
momineqbal
03/26/01 at 21:40:28
[slm] I see the question marks all over the place. Is it just me or does it happen to all? If its not limited to me, can sister jannah edit this so I can read without the question marks? jazak Allah khair!

Re: Virtues of Muharram and the Day of Ashoora
jannah
03/26/01 at 22:36:53
fixed...

Re: Virtues of Muharram and the Day of Ashoora
Safiya
03/29/01 at 12:30:15
[slm] [quote]Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: 'The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: 'The best of fasting after Ramadaan is fasting Allaah's month of Muharram.''[color=Red](reported by Muslim, 1982).  [/color] [/quote]????(the red)

Re: Virtues of Muharram and the Day of Ashoora
jannah
03/29/01 at 13:56:01
I think that's the hadith number in the collection!

Re: Virtues of Muharram and the Day of Ashoora
tq
03/29/01 at 14:44:36
Assalamo elikuim "..reaffirmed by making it a general command addressed to everybody, and once again by instructing mothers not to breastfeed their infants during this fast. " What is the reason behind this (becuase mothers can nurse during fasting in ramadan ) Wasalam tq

Re: Virtues of Muharram and the Day of Ashoora
jannah
03/31/01 at 01:27:34
According to moonsighting.com in N. America, the Day of Ashoora -- Muharram 10 will be on Wednesday April 4 and the 9th day of Muharram will be the day before on Tuesday. So don't forget to fast!!!

Re: Virtues of Muharram and the Day of Ashoora
Safiya
04/02/01 at 06:19:38
[slm] sorry arent they contradicting?? confused. which is true??? [quote]Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: 'The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to Madeenah [color=Red]and saw the Jews fasting on the day of 'Aashooraa'[/color]. He said, 'What is this'' They said, 'This is a righteous day, it is the day when Allaah saved the Children of Israel from their enemies, so Moosa fasted on this day.' He said, 'We have more right to Moosa than you,' so he fasted on that day and commanded [the Muslims] to fast on that day.' (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 1865). [/quote] [quote]It was also reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast on 'Aashooraa' in Makkah, before he migrated to Madeenah. When he migrated to Madeenah, he found the Jews celebrating this day, so he asked them why, and they replied as described in the hadeeth quoted above. He commanded the Muslims to be different from the Jews, who took it as a festival, as was reported in the hadeeth of Abu Moosa (may Allaah be pleased with him), who said: 'The Jews used to take the day of 'Aashooraa' as a festival [according to a report narrated by Muslim: the day of 'Aashooraa' was venerated by the Jews, who took it as a festival. According to another report also narrated by Muslim: the people of Khaybar (the Jews) used to take it as a festival and their women would wear their jewellery and symbols on that day]. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: 'So you [Muslims] should fast on that day.'' (Reported by al-Bukhaari). [color=Red]Apparently the motive for commanding the Muslims to fast on this day was the desire to be different from the Jews, so that the Muslims would fast when the Jews did not, because people do not fast on a day of celebration. [/color](Summarized from the words of al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar ' may Allaah have mercy on him ' in Fath al-Baari Sharh 'ala Saheeh al-Bukhaari).[/quote]

Re: Virtues of Muharram and the Day of Ashoora
Arsalan
04/02/01 at 14:18:19
[slm] As the hadith states, the Jews used to "celebrate" the day of Aashoora by "festivities."  The Prophet (pbuh) ordered us to "celebrate" the day as well.  But in order to make us different from the Jews, he told us to "fast" on that day, and not be involved in "festivities."   He also ordered us to fast on the 9th along with the 10th of Muharram.  This, again, he did to make us different from the Jews, who only celebrated the day of Aashooraa (i.e. 10th of Muharram). Hope this clears things up. Wassalamu alaikum.

Re: Virtues of Muharram and the Day of Ashoora
jannah
04/03/01 at 18:13:58
Here's a good explanation of that as well. We should fast the day before or the day after to be unlike the jews and we should still fast the day of ashura b/c we have more right to Musa as... =------------------------------------------=-------------------------------------= As-salamu 'Alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatu Also, this is the a few things about 'Ashura that would benefit us all inshallah. Reminder that Wednesday is the day of 'Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, which is recommended strongly to fast then.  It is the day when Prophet Musa (a) parted the Red Sea, and Allah saved him and his followers from Pharoah and folks.  In short, when the Prophet (s) found out upon emigration to Medina, that the Jews of his time fasted that day, and it was for that reason, he advised his followers who hadn't eaten to complete the fast that day, and observed it every year afterward.  For Muslims are closer to Musa (a). Fasting during the month The Noble Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) has said: 'The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadhan 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 =C1nhu). 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) (Alayhissalaam) 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 to Musa (Alayhis salaam) than you" and directed the Muslims to fast on the day of 'Ashura'. (Abu Dawood) It is also reported in a number of authentic traditions that in the beginning, fasting on the day of 'Ashura' was obligatory for the Muslims. It was later that the fasts of Ramadhan were made obligatory and the fast on the day of 'Ashura' was made optional. Sayyidina 'Aisha (Radhiallaahunha) has said:  "When the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) came to Madinah, he fasted on the day of 'Ashura' and directed the people to fast it. But when the fasts of Ramadhan were made obligatory, the obligation of fasting was confined to Ramadhan and the obligatory nature of the fast of 'Ashura' was abandoned. Whoever so desires should fast on it and any other who so likes can avoid fasting on it." (Sunan Abu Dawud) In short, it is established through a number of authentic Hadiths that fasting on the day of 'Ashura' is Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and makes one entitled to a great reward. 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'.

Re: Virtues of Muharram and the Day of Ashoora
PacificBreeze
04/03/01 at 23:34:43
jazakumallahu khairan for the reminders! :) were these fwds? originated from who or what site? just curious. btw, ameen wa ajmaeen to jannah's dua :)

Re: Virtues of Muharram and the Day of Ashoora
jannah
04/04/01 at 09:44:15
forwards...they're all forwards.... you don't actually think i have time to write this good stuff do ya :)
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