Muharram; the sacred month of Allah

Muharram is the first month of the Hijri calendar and thus marks the beginning of the Islamic year. Muharram is so sacred it is the only month that was attached to the name of Allah.

Allah’s messenger called it “The sacred month of Allah”

Allah has also chosen Rajab, Dhul-Qa’dah and Dhul-Hijjah as sacred months. Muharram is one of thise sacred months. Its name means “Forbidden” in Arabic, which tells that certain things are prohibited in that month.

’Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them…’ (Qur’an, 9:36)

Regarding this verse, Ibn Katheer (rh) explains, ’Allah has chosen elites from His creation: from among the angels, He chose Messengers, from among mankind He chose Messengers, from among speech He chose remembrance of Him (dhikr), from among spaces on earth He chose the mosques, from among the months He chose Ramadan and the sacred months…So, venerate that which has been chosen by Allah, for people of understanding and wisdom respect that which has been chosen by Him’. (Tafseer Ibn Katheer)

The month of Muarram is usually overshadowed by other sacred months, even though it has the second best fasting of the year!

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, ‘The best fasting after Ramadan is the Sacred Month of Allah (Muharram)…’ (Muslim)

He (saw) also said that fasting on the day of ’Ashura, ‘expiates the minor sins of the past year’ (Muslim)

The Prophet (saw) also advised us to also fast on the 9th and/or 11th of Muharram in order to differentiate between his Ummah and the People of the Book.

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:

When Allah's Messenger (saw) arrived at Medina, he found the Jews observing the fast on the day of 'Ashura' (10th of Muharram). The Prophet (saw) asked them (about it) and they replied, "This is the day when Moses became victorious over Pharaoh." The Prophet (saw)said (to the Muslims), "We are nearer to Moses than they, so fast on this day." Muslim