Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. The month holds a great significance to Muslims all around the world.
Ashura is an important day for both sects, Shias & Sunnis, of Islam. While Shia Muslims consider “Muharram” to be a sorrowful occassion, commemorating the tragic incident of Karbala and the death of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S), Sunni Muslims observe it as a festival and look at “Ashura” as a happy day, though the religious aspect remain intact. Sunnis keep a fast on Ashura, following the sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) Usually, Sunni Muslims are recommended to fast either on the 9th and 10th of Muharram or on the 10th and 11th of Muharram.
Some Authentic Aḥadis Regarding Ashura
Hazrat Aisha (razī Allāhu anhā) said, “The people of Quraysh used to fast on the day of Ashūra in the pre-Islamic days. When the Messenger of Allah(pbuh) migrated to Madīnah, he observed this fast and commanded others to observe it. But when fasting during the month of Ramazan was made obligatory he left the [fast of] Ashura (i.e. it was no longer obligatory); so whosoever wished to observe this fast, did so, and whosoever wished to leave it, did so.”
Abu Musa al-Ashari (razī Allāhu anhu) said, “The day of Ashura was one that the Jews respected and treated as a day of festival. The Messenger of Allāh (pbuh) instructed us: ‘You should also observe fast on this day.’
Humayd b.Abd ar-Raḥman narrated that he heard Muaāwiyah b. Abu Sufyan (razī Allāhu anhumā) say, while delivering a sermon on the pulpit on the day of Āshūra in the year he came for Hajj, “People of Madīnah, where are your scholars? I heard the Messenger of Allāh (pbuh) say: ‘This is the day ofĀshūra. Allāh has not made fasting on this day compulsory on you, but I am fasting. So whosoever wishes to observe the fast from amongst you, should do so, and whoever does not wish to observe it, may do so.’”
Ibn Abbas (razī Allāhu anhu) said: “When the Messenger of Allāh (pbuh) came to Madīnah, he found the Jews fasting on the day of `Āshūra. He asked: ‘What is this [that you are doing]?’ They replied: ‘This is a righteous day. On this day Allāh saved the Israelites from their enemies, and so Moses, on this day, observed a fast.’ The Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘I have a greater right on Moses (alayhis salām) than you.’ So, he observed the fast [on that day] and ordered the Muslims to also fast.’
Ar-Rabi b. Muawaz (razī Allāhu anhā) said: “The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) sent an envoy to the village of the Anṣar in the morning of the day of `Āshūra announcing: ‘Whoever has eaten something should not eat but complete the fast, and whoever is observing the fast should complete it.’” She further said: “Since then we fasted regularly on that day and also make our sons fast. We used to make toys of wool for the boys and if anyone of them cried for food, we would give them these [toys] until it was time to break the fast.”
Abd Allāh b. Umar (razī Allāhu anhu) narrated: “The Messenger of Allāh (pbuh) observed the fast on the day of Āshūra and ordered others to also fast. When fasting during Ramaḍān was made compulsory, he left it.”Abd Allāh would not fast on this day unless it coincided with his [normal days of] fasting.
Ibn Abbas (razī Allāhu anhumā) narrated: “I do not know the Messenger of Allāh (pbuh) singling out any days for fasting, and considering it more excellent than another, except for this day [the day of `Āshūra] and that month – meaning the month of Ramaḍān.”
Abu Qatada al-Ansari (razī Allāhu anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Fasting three days every month and [fasting] the whole [month] of Ramazān every year is a perpetual fast. The fast of the day of Arafah, [I consider it to] expiate the sins of the preceding and the coming year. The fast of the day ofĀshūra, [I consider it to] expiate the sins of the preceding year.”
Ibn Abbas (razī Allahu anhumā) narrated that when the Messenger of Allāh (pbuh) fasted on the day of Ashura and commanded that it be observed as a fast, they (his Companions) said to him: “Messenger of Allāh (pbuh), it is a day which the Jews and Christians hold in high esteem.” Thereupon the Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “When the next year comes, Allah willing, we will observe fast on the ninth.” The Messenger of Allāh (pbuh) died before the advent of the next year.
Abu Musa (razī Allāhu anhu) narrated that the people of Khaybar, most of whom were Jews, observed the fast on the day of Ashūra and treated it as a festive day. Their women would wear ornaments and beautiful dresses. The Messenger of Allāh (pbuh) said: “You (only) observe fast on this day
As Muharram approaches, Shia Muslims put on black clothes, as black is regarded as a color of mourning. During the entire 10 day period, they keep themselves away from music and all joyous events (e.g. weddings) that can distract them in anyway from the sorrowful remembrance of that day. During each of the first nine days of Muharram, "Majalis" (assemblies) are held where Shia orators vividly depict the incident of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his party. Mainstream Shia Muslims fast until the evening. On "Ashura", devoted Muslims assemble and go out in large processions. They parade the streets holding banners and carrying models of the mausoleum of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his people, who fell at Karbala. Some Shia sects observe Ashura by beating themselves with chains in public, cutting themselves with knives and sharp objects and holding mournful public processions. This is an expression of their grief on the death of their favourite leader Hussain, considered to be the representative of Allah. (But no Shiite scholar affirms any extreme behavior that harms the body and Shia leaders consider such acts as "Haram", or forbidden.) It is a sad occasion and everyone in the procession chants "Ya Hussain", wailing loudly. Generally a white horse is beautifully decorated and included in the procession. It serves to bring back the memory of the empty mount of Hazrat Imam Husain after his martyrdom. Drinking posts are also set up temporarily by the Shia community where water and juices are served to all, free of charge.
The Holy Prophet (S) said:
قال النبيُّ (ص):
يا فاطمة كلُّ عينٍ باكية يوم القيامة إلاَّ عينٌ بكَت على مُصاب الحُسين (ع) فإنها ضاحِكة مُستبشرة بنعيم الجنة
O' Fatimah! Every eye shall be weeping on the Day of Judgment except the eye which has shed tears over the tragedy of Husayn (A.S.) for surely, that eye shall be laughing and shall be given the glad tidings of the bounties and comforts of Paradise.
Bihar al‑Anwar, vol. 44 pg. 193.
The Holy Prophet (S) (said to H. Fatimah (A.S.)):
قال النبيُّ (ص):
فإذا كان القيامة تشفعين أنتِ لِلنساء وأنا أشفعُ لِلرجال وكلُ مَ، بكىَ مِنهُم على مُصاب الحُسين أخذنا بيَده وأدخلناه الجنة.
On the Day of Judgment, you shall intercede for the ladies and I shall intercede for the men; every person who has wept over the tragedy of Husayn (A.S.), we shall take him by the hand and lead him into Paradise.
Bihar al‑Anwar vol. 94 pg. 192,
Images of men and small boys slashing themselves with razors or knives, allowing their blood to run freely over their bodies is common among some of the extreme Shias. One should not physically harm themselves by beating as it’s strictly prohibited in Islam. Allah has more right to your bodies than you have on them! To carry out these acts especially on this Day of Ashura is a Bid’ah (a bad innovation in Islam)
Imam Malik says “He who introduces an innovation (Bid’ah) in Islam, regarding it as something good has claimed that Muḥammad (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has betrayed his trust to deliver the message. As Allah says: ‘Today have I completed your Deen (religion)’. Whatever was not part of the Deen during the time of the Prophet cannot be considered as part of the Deen during the time of the Prophet cannot be considered as part of the Deen today.
The martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) (Raziyallahu-Anhu) was indeed a great tragedy but Islam is not a religion of perpetual mourning. As Muslims, we should respect Muharram, express sorrow and commemorate the tragic incident of Karbala, but there are better ways of doing that! Are you doing any good to Imam Hussain by beating yourself up? Are you doing any good to yourself? I personally believe there is no harm in expressing grief on the death of our beloved Imam Hussain (AS) but having love for Hazrat Imam Hussain (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) does not necessarily mean that his blessed name should be lamented upon especially when he gained the status of a Shaheed (Martyr), but instead one should convey sawaab (reward) to him and donate on his behalf for the pleasure of Allah (on Allah’s name) so that reward can reach him rather than beating our selves and harming our bodies, because we’ll be earning no good by doing that.
May Allah guide us all to the right path. Ameen.
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