The reason for calling it Muharram

Dear Islamic brothers! The first month of the Islamic year is Muharram. The name ‘Muharram’ was given to it due to the sacredness (i.e. reverence) of this blessed month. 

(Tafseer Ibn-e-Kaseer, At Taubah, Taht-al-ayah. 36, vol. 4, p. 128)

صَلُّوْا عَلَی الْحَبِیْب       صَلَّی اللهُ عَلٰی مُحَمَّد

Allah Almighty commenced the Islamic year with the blessed month of Muharram-ul-Haraam and has bestowed upon us many opportunities of reward, goodness, and blessing in it. He opened up ways for a believing person to become His favoured (bondsman) so that a person becomes close to the Almighty Lord from the very beginning of the year, and so that he repents, and his sins are forgiven. Moreover, the effect of good deeds remains until the end of the year, to the extent that one remains preoccupied in worship in the last month of the year, Zul-Hijja-til-Haraam, as well. It is hoped that obedience of the entire year will be written for him, because whoever’s deed starts and ends on worship, then the ruling of the one who remains engaged in worship in between both these times also applies to him. 

(Lataif-ul-Ma'arif, p. 36)

Two virtues of Muharram-ul-Haraam

A person presented himself in the blessed court of the Noble Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and humbly asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, other than Ramadan, which month should I keep fasts in?’ He صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم stated, ‘After Ramadan, if you are to keep fasts in any month, then keep the fasts of Muharram, as this is the month of Allah Almighty. In this month, there is one day in which Allah Almighty accepted the repentance of a nation and will also accept the repentance of others as well.’ 

(Musnad Imam Ahmad, vol. 1, p. 327, Hadees 1334)

The Noble Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم stated, ‘After the month of Ramadan, the most superior fasts are the fasts of Muharram, the month of Allah Almighty, and after the Fard Salah, the most superior Salah is that of the night.’ 

(Muslim, p. 456, Hades 2755)

The greatness of the first ‘Asharah (ten days) of Muharram

Sayyiduna Abu ‘Usman Nahdi رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه states, ‘The blessed companions رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُم would revere three sets of ten days.

• The last ten days of Ramadan-ul-Mubarak

• The first ten days of Zul-Hijja-til-Haraam
  

• The first ten days of Muharram-ul-Haraam.

The day of ‘Ashura

Dear Islamic brothers! The 10th of Muharram holds a special importance in this blessed month. It is known as Yawm-e-‘Ashura. One reason for calling 10th Muharram-ul-Haraam ‘Ashura is also because Allah Almighty favored ten Noble Prophets with honor and respect on this day.

(Fayz-ul-Qadeer, vol. 4, p. 394, Taht-ul-Hadees 5365)

The blessed links of the day of ‘Ashura

The day of ‘Ashura has a special link to the Noble Prophets عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَام:

Sayyiduna Musa عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام was helped on the day of ‘Ashura, and Fir’awn and his followers were destroyed on it.

• The ark of Sayyiduna Nuh عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام stopped at Mount Joodi.

• Sayyiduna Yunus عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام attained salvation from the stomach of the whale.

• It is the day when the repentance of Sayyiduna Aadam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام was accepted.

• Sayyiduna Yusuf عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام was taken out of the well.

• Sayyiduna ‘Isa عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام was born on this day and he عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام was raised to the heavens on this very day.

• The repentance of Sayyiduna Dawood عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام was accepted on the day of ‘Ashura.
  

• Sayyiduna Ibraheem عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام was born on this very day.

• The weakness in eye-sight that Sayyiduna Ya’qoob عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام had went away on this very day.

• Sayyiduna Idrees عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام was raised to the heavens.

• On this very day, Allah Almighty removed the affliction of Sayyiduna Ayyub عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام.

• Sayyiduna Sulayman عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام was bestowed with kingship on the day of ‘Ashura. 

(‘Umda-tul-Qaari, vol. 8, p. 233)

Virtues of Muharram

Du’a for Reading the Book

Read the following Du’a (supplication) before you study a religious book or an Islamic lesson, you will remember whatever you study, اِنْ شَـآءَ الله:

اَللّٰهُمَّ افْتَحْ عَلَيْنَا حِكْمَتَكَ وَانْشُرْ

عَلَيْنَا رَحْمَتَكَ يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالْاِكْرَامِ

Translation

O Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! Open the door of knowledge and wisdom for us and have mercy on us! O the One Who is the Most Honourable and Glorious!

(Al-Mustatraf, vol. 1, pp. 40)

Note:

Recite Salat upon the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم once before and after the Du’a.

The excellence of Salat upon the Prophet

The Last and Final Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم stated, ‘O people! The one who will attain salvation quickly on the Day of Judgement from its horrors and accountability will be the one amongst you who would have recited Salat upon me in abundance in the world.’ 

(Musnad-ul-Firdaus, vol.5, p. 277, Hadees 8175)

Uff woh rah-e-sang lakh, ah! Yeh paa shaakh shaakh

Ay mayray mushkil Kusha! Tum pay karoron Durood

 صَلُّوْا عَلَى الْحَبِيْب       صَلَّى اللهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

The blessings of giving in the path of Allah on ‘Ashura

On the day of ‘Ashura (i.e. 10 Muharram-ul-Haraam), a poor person came to the Qadi [judge] in ‘Ray’ and humbly said, ‘I am a very poor person with a family, for the sake of the day of ‘Ashura! Please arrange ten kilos of flour, five kilos of meat and two Dirhams for me.’

The judge told him to come after Zuhr [Salah]. When the poor person came at the affixed time, he called him at ‘Asr. He arrived after ‘Asr, but he still didn’t give him anything and sent him back empty-handed. The poor person became heartbroken. Upset and sad, he came across a non-Muslim and said to him, ‘For the sake of the sacred day of today, please give me something.’

He asked, ‘What day is it today?’

Then the poor person mentioned some excellences of ‘Ashura. Hearing them, he said, ‘You have presented the means of such an exceedingly great day, please mention your need.’

The poor person mentioned the same need to him. That person presented ten sacks of wheat, a hundred kilos of meat and twenty Dirhams, and said, ‘This is fixed for your household and family every month for your entire lifetime for the sake of the excellence and greatness of this day.’

At night, the judge had a dream that someone is saying, ‘Look up!’ When he looked up, he saw two magnificent palaces; one was of gold and silver bricks and the other was of red rubies.

The judge asked, ‘Whose are these two palaces?’

A reply came, ‘If you had fulfilled the need of the beggar, then you would have received these; but because you sent him back (empty-handed), these two palaces will now be given to so-and-so non-Muslim.’

When the judge awoke, he was really worried. In the morning, he went to the non-Muslim and asked him, ‘What “good deed” did you perform yesterday?’

He asked, ‘How did you come to know?’

The judge related his dream and made an offer that take a hundred thousand Dirhams from me and sell me your yesterday’s “good deed”.’

That non-Muslim said, ‘I will not sell it even if I was given all the wealth of the whole world; the Mercy and Kindness of Allah is very great.’

After saying this, he recited the Kalimah [Declaration of Faith] and became Muslim. 

(Raud-ul-Riyaheen, p. 275)

Sixteen Scorpion Stings and the Extraordinary Sincerity of Imam Mālik

Scorpion stung 16 times

Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Bin Mubarak رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ has narrated that a scorpion stung Sayyiduna Abu ‘Abdullah Imam Maalik رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ 16 times while he was giving a Hadees lesson. Due to the severity of the pain, his blessed face turned pale but he continued to give the lesson. (He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ even did not change his sitting posture.) After the lesson ended and people left, I [i.e. the narrator] asked, ‘O Abu ‘Abdullah! Today, something strange appeared on your face. I noticed it!’ He said, ‘Yes! But I had patience showing reverence for the Hadees of the Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ!’

(Ash-Shifa, vol. 2, pp. 46)

Sincerity of Imam Maalik

A great devotee to Madinah, Sayyiduna Imam Maalik رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ was the first to compile a technically excellent book on the knowledge of Hadees. The book is known as ‘Muwatta Imam Maalik’. He was the embodiment of sincerity. Sayyiduna Shaykh Muhammad ‘Abdul Baaqi Zurqaani رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ has narrated: After Imam Maalik رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ compiled the book ‘Muwatta’, he put all the pages of its manuscript into water, saying, ‘If any of these pages gets wet, I will no longer use them.’ Amazingly, none of the pages got wet. This was the proof of his sincerity and the fruit of his true intention.

(Sharh-uz-Zurqaani 'alal Muwatta, vol. 1, pp. 36)

Love of Rasoolullah ﷺ Reflected in Character, Conduct, and Hadith Teaching

Complexion changed when hearing about Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ

Sayyiduna Mus’ab Bin ‘Abdullah رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُ has said that Sayyiduna Imam Maalik رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ was a great devotee of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ. Whenever anyone mentioned anything about the Greatest Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ, the complexion [i.e. the colour of the face] of Sayyiduna Imam Maalik رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ would change. He would show deep reverence for the Beloved Nabi صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ. One day, he was asked about it, so he replied, ‘If you had seen what I see, you would not have asked about it.’ 

(Ash-Shifa, vol. 2, pp. 41, 42)

Manner of teaching Hadees

(Sayyiduna Imam Maalik رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ started giving lessons of Hadees at the age of 17). Before coming to give a Hadees lesson, he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ would take a bath, wear nice clothing and apply fragrance. He would then humbly come out of his room and respectfully sit on a throne. (He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ did not even use to change his sitting posture throughout the lesson.) As long as Ahadees were taught and learnt during the gathering, aloe-wood¹ and frankincense were burnt to give a pleasant smell.

(Bustan-ul-Muhaddiseen, pp. 19, 20)

A Life Devoted to Madinah: Barefoot Steps and Nightly Visions of the Beloved ﷺ

Barefoot in MADINAH

The great leader of millions of Malikies, Sayyiduna Imam Maalik رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ was a great devotee of Rasool. He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ would walk barefooted in the streets of Madinah. 

(At-Tabqat-ul-Kubra lish-Sha’rani, vol. 1, pp. 76)

Beholding Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ every night

Sayyiduna Musanna Bin Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ has narrated that Sayyiduna Imam Maalik رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ stated, ‘I beheld the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ every night.’ 

(Hilya-tul-Awliya, vol. 6, pp. 346)

Refraining from riding in Madinah

Sayyiduna Imam Shaafi’i رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ has stated: In Madinah, I saw that there were some Khurasanian or Egyptian horses tethered [i.e. tied] to the door of the house of Sayyiduna Imam Maalik رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ. Those horses were given to him as gifts. I had never seen such beautiful horses before. Hence I said, ‘How nice these horses are!’ He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ said, ‘I have given all of them to you as gifts.’ I said, ‘At least keep a horse for yourself.’ He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ replied, ‘I feel shy of riding a horse on the ground under which the Holy Nabi صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, the Beloved son of Sayyidatuna Aaminah rests (in his blessed shrine).’

(Ihya-ul-’Uloom, vol. 1, pp. 48; Ar-Raud-ur-Faaiq, pp. 217)

RESCUE FROM WELL

Sayyiduna Ahmad Bin Muhammad Salaawi رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ has said: Once I was to undertake a journey. Before I began it, I visited the blessed shrine of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ and respectfully said, ‘O the one who has been empowered to help his devotees in the world and the Hereafter! I will pass through deserts and jungles during my journey. If I get into any trouble, I will pray to Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and seek help by mentioning your blessed name.’

I then visited the blessed tombs of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna ‘Umar رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُمَا and made a similar prayer. Afterwards, I began my journey, travelling through jungles and deserted places for a week. During the journey, I fell into a well that had plenty of water in it. From the time of Salat-ul-Chasht to Salat-ul-‘Asr, I struggled hard to get out of it but could not succeed. My life was in danger. All of a sudden, I recalled what I had pleaded with the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ and Shaykhayn Karimayn¹ at the time of departure. I once again supplicated, ‘O my Beloved! O Rasool of Allah! Fulfil my supplication and rescue me.’ I also made supplication in the courts of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna ‘Umar رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُمَا in a similar way. In no time, someone picked me up from the well and sat me on its top! In this way, with the help of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ, I narrowly escaped death. 

(Shawahid-ul-Haq, pp. 231)

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ have mercy upon him and forgive us without accountability for his sake!

Ghayb-knowing Rasool gave GOOD NEWS OF RAIN

Imam Ibn Abi Shaybah رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ who was a respected teacher of Sayyiduna Imam Bukhari رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ has stated: During the reign of Sayyiduna ‘Umar Farooq-e-A’zam رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُ, drought¹ occurred. A person visited the blessed grave of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ and said humbly, ‘Ya Rasoolallah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ!

Please pray that your Ummah be blessed with rain; people are dying.’ The person was privileged to behold the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ in the state of dream. He صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ said, ‘Go to ‘Umar and convey my Salam to him and inform him that rain will fall.’

(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, vol. 7, pp. 482 Hadees 35; Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 9, pp. 695)

That person was Sayyiduna Bilal Bin Haaris رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهُ a companion of the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ.

(Fath-ul-Baari, vol. 3, pp. 430, Taht-al-Hadees 1010)

Sayyiduna Imam Ibn Hajar ‘Asqalani رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ has said, ‘Imam Ibn Abi Shaybah رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْہِ has quoted this narration with proved authenticity.’

(Ibid)

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ have mercy upon him and forgive us without accountability for his sake!