First Month of Islamic Calendar – Muharram ul Haram (Shortly known as Muharram)
The month of Muharram is very important and respected in the opinions of great Sufis and scholars.
This month is related to the migration of Messenger of Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala Sayedna Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
But The Hijri calendar made official and started in use on 17 Hijri during the Caliphate (Khilafat) of Second Caliph of Islam Sayedna Hazrat Umar Radi Allahu Anhu (May Allah be pleased with him).
Hadith Shareef (Saying of Messenger of Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala Sayedna Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam): “Muharram is for Allah so honour this month.” Whoever honour this month, Allah will give him respect and honour in this world and at the Day of Judgment and will free him from hell fire.
Hazrat Sayedna Ibn-e Abbas Radi Allahu Anhu (May Allah be pleased with him) reported “When Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam arrived in Medina Shareef, he founded that Jews are fasting on 10th of Muharram (Day of Ashura). He Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam inquired, “What is the significance of this day that you kept fast at this day?” They replied, “Hazrat Sayedna Prophet Musa Alihey Salam kept fast at this day as a Shukr (Thanks to Allah).” Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “We have more right to follow Sayedna Musa (May Allah Peace Be Upon Him) as we are more closer to him than you.” Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam observed the fasting that day and told others to do so. (Bukhari/Muslim Sareef)
Hazrat Abu Huraira Radi Allhu Anhu had narrated that Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said that “After Ramadan, the afzal (best) fasting is if of Muharram.” (Bukhari/Muslim Sareef)
Umm Ul mumineen Sayeda Hifza Radi Allahu Anhu said, “Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam never missed the fasting of 10th of Muharram.” (Sunan Nisai Shareef)
Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radiyallahu 'anh) relates that when the Holy Nabi (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim) said: "If I survive till next year, I will definitely observe fast on the 9th of Muharram (as well)." (Sahih Muslim Sahreef)
(Note: What the Holy Nabi (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim) meant was that he would also fast on the 9th as well as the 10th to which he was accustomed. We also should try fasting on the 9th and the 10th of Muharram.)
Abu Qatadah ( Radhiallaho anha ) reported : The Messenger of Allah ( Sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam ) was asked about observing As-Saum ( the fast ) on the tenth day of Muharram, and he replied, “It is an expiation for the sins of the preceding year.(Muslim Shareef)
According to Ahadith everyone should fast on 9 and 10 of Muharram. The best way is to fast 1st, 9th, 10th, 29th and 30th of Muharram. It is also reported in Hadith Sharif that whoever observed fast (kept fast) in first 10 days of Muharram (means 10 Saums or Rozas), he/she will get the reward equivalent to 10,000 years, which have spent like you fast all day and worship all night.”
Excellence of Day of Ashur or Ashura
Ghauth-e-Azam Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Qadri Jilani (ra) in his Ghunya al-Talibeen discusses the excellence of Muharram with particular reference to the day of Ashura (10th Muharram).
Sayedna Abbas had reported that “Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, Whoever kept fast on day of Ashura, he will get the reward equivalent to 10,000 angels, 10,000 martyrs and 10,000 Hajj/Umra. Whoever be kind to orphan at this day, Allah will raise his status in paradise (Jannah), which is equivalent to his/her head hair. Whoever arrange the iftar (meal for breaking fasting at the end of fast time) for one Muslim is like he/she get reward equivalent to arranging Iftar and fedding the whole Ummah (or Umnmat - Nation of Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Companions (Sahabas) (May Allah Be Pleased With Them) of Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam inquired, Oh Messenger of Allah (May Allah Bless Him) does this day has more excellence upon other days? Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam replied, “Yes, Allah created Heavens and Earth, mountains and seas on Ashura. Pen and the tablet were created on this day. On this day:
• Hazrat Adam (peace be upon him) was forgiven by Allah after he was expelled from paradise.
• Allah protected Hazrat Nuh (peace be upon him) and his followers in the ark from the storm.
• Allah demolished the fire created by Nimrod to save Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon him), who was thrown into it.
• Allah directly interacted and spoke to Hazrat Musa (peace be upon him) and blessed him with the commandments.
• Hazrat Ayub (peace be upon him), who was suffering from leprosy was cured on this day.
• Hazrat Ya’qub (peace be upon him) was reunited with his son Hazrat Yusuf (peace be upon him).
• Hazrat Yunus (peace be upon him) was relieved from the stomach of the fish.
• Pharaoh’s army was demolished and the Bani Israel were saved from his captivity as the sea was divided.
• On this day Hazrat Dawood (peace be upon him) was pardoned.
• Hazrat Suleiman’s (peace be upon him) kingdom was re-established.
• Hazrat Isa (peace be upon him) was taken into Jannah. He born on this day.
• Qiyamat will take place on this day.
• First rain fell down to earth on this day.
• First blessing from sky also came down to earth on this day.”
Hazrat Hussain (May Allah be pleased with him), the grandson of the Prophet (peace be upon him) gained the honour of Shahadat (martyrdom) on the day of Ashur.
Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) further states certain practices, which should be followed and performed on the day of Ashura to receive maximum benefit.
• Whoever is generous towards his relatives and family on this day, Allah, the almighty will provide for him/her throughout the year.
• Whoever observes fast on this, it is as if he has fasted all his life.
• He who visits sick and ill people on this day, Allah, the merciful will bless him with rewards, which will not be deleted from his account.
• He who feeds the hungry, gives water to the thirsty or places his hands above the head of an orphan, Allah, the ultimate Provider, will provide food for him from paradise and gift him with non-intoxicating wine (salsabil)
• Those, who are suffering from sickness, illnesses, torments or health problems, should take a bath, and Allah, the Curer, will shower His mercy upon him and grant him a cure.
All the lovers and followers of the Great Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA), must follow his advice and attempt to receive maximum blessings and benefits from his invaluable advices and instructions.
Key dates and Important Anniversaries of Muharram
1st - Islamic New Year,
1st - Wissal Shaykh Abul Hassan Ali Bukhari,
1st - Birth ; Hadrat Umar Farooq Radi Allhu Anhu,
1st - Birth ; Hadrat Shahabuddin Suharwardi Radi Allhu Anhu
2nd - Urs ; Pir Jamal Shah Bin Murtaza
2nd - Wissal Hadrat Khwaja Ma'roof Kirkhi,
4th - Wissal Hadrat Khwaja Hassan Basri Radi Allhu Anhu
4th - Hazrat Mai Sahiba RA (Blessed Daughter of Qutab-e-Alim Hazrat Khawaja Pir Khan Sahib RA of Mohra Shareef, Murree, Pakistan. Mazar Paak is located in Darbar Niarian Shareef, Azad Kashmir. Wisaal: 10th December 2010 - Friday 03:00 AM)
5th - Urs ; Hadrat Baba Fariduddin Ganj Shakar RA
8th - Wissal ; Hadrat Imam Zayn al-Abideen
10th - Martyrdom of Imam Hussain Radi Allahu Anhu at
10th - Hadrat Sayyadi Shah Barkatullah Ishki, Mahrehah Shareef
11th - Ghiyarwee Sharif ; Hadrat Shaykh Abd'al-Qadir al-Jilani
13th - Urs ; Mufti-e-Azam Hind Mustafa Raza Khan Bareilly Sahib.
19th - Wissal Hadrat Sayyad Ahmad al-Jilani, Baghdad Shareef
20th - Wissal ; Hadrat Bilal Radi Allahu Anhu
20th - Wissal ; Hadrat Shah Waliyullah Muhaddith Dhelvi
21st - Urs ; Hadrat Zinda Pir,Ghamkhol Shareef,
25th - Birth ; Hadrat Imam Hassan Radi Allahu Anhu
26th - Urs ; Hadrat Tajul Awliya, Baba Tajuddin,
28th - Urs; Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Jahangir,Kicchocha Shareef.
Ridwanallahi ta'ala m'ajmaim
Prayers For Muharram
Night of First of Muharram
1) 8 Rikaat Nafal should be read like this:
After Surah Al-Fatiha read 10 times Surah Ikhlaas in each rakaat.
Benefit: Umm Ul mumineen Sayeda Aisha Radi Allahu Anhu will do a Shifaa’at (Intercession) at the day of Judgement for the person and his family who will read the nawafal as stated in the above manner when the hellfire is wajib for that person.
2) Read 2 Nafals and after Salam read this Dua:
Allah will protect from calamities.
Night Of Ashura
All night of Ashura is very blessed so read Quran, Nafls and Durrod Shareef as much as possible. Please stay away from TV (can watch Islamic Channels but don't spend watching all night as you can get more reward by reading Nawafil, Quran or doing other Wazaifs and Zikr.), Internet or any games or anything that is considered as waste of time.
It is reported by Hazrat Sayedna Abu Huraira Radi Allahu Anhu that whoever done Ibaadah (Worship) all night of Ashura and fast at the day of Ashura then he will die in a way that he will feel the death (in other words will die in honour like the death of saints)
Another narration by Hazrat Sayedna Abu Huraira Radi Allahu Anhu: Whoever read 4 Rikaats Nafals in this way:
After Surah Al-Fatiha read 50 times Surah Ikhlaas, then Allah will forgive person's 50 years of sins.
Read 2 rakats Nawafil . In each rakat after Surah Fateha recite Surah Ikhlas 3 times. The reward of this the ones grave will have noor (light) till the day of judgement inshAllah.
Perform 4 Nawafil, in each rakaat read Ayat-ul-Kursi x 3, Surah Ikhlas x 10. After Salaat, read Surah Ikhlas x 100. Allah will forgive person's sins and lot of bounties a person receives in paradise(Jannat).
Perform 4 Nawafil, in each rakaat read Surah Ikhlas x 5. A person will get lot of blessings from Allah Ta'ala.
Day of Ashur (10th of Muharram)
Whoever will read this Dua at the day of Ashur, Allah will forgive him/her and his name will be written among the Auliyas (saints – Friends of Allah).
At 9.00 AM (UK – 2011, after the sun has risen high. Follow your local time.), perform 2 Nawafil.
Perform 4 Nawafil, in each rakaat Surah Ikhlas x 15. Give Sawab of these Nawafil to Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain Ridwanallahi ta'ala m'ajmaim. They will intercede for the person who performs this Salah at day of judgement.
Read 4 Nawafils. After Surah Al-Fatiha read 50 times Surah Ikhlaas, then Allah will reward him /her with 1000 Palaces of Nur (Light) in Jannat-e-Ala (Paradise) and will forgive his 50 years of sins.
Other Acts
Fasting on the 9th and 10th muharram carries great sawaab InshAllah, cook good food and do fateha, Isaale Sawaab for Sayyedina Hazrat Imam Hussain Radi Allahu anhu and for all Shuhadas of Karbala and reward for this you will have so much barkat (blessing) in your home for a whole year inshAllah.,
Also have Ghusal (bath) on ashura (10 muharram) the reward of this you will be protected from all kinds of ailments and illnesses for a whole year inshAllah. After Ghusal, perform 2 Nawafil, in each rakaat read Surah Ikhlas x 10. After Salaat, read Ayat-ul-Kursi x 1 and Durood-e-Ibraheemi (Durood that is read in Namaz/Salah) x 9.
Wear surma in your eyes on Ashura (10 muharram) the reward for this your eyes will stay healthy InshAllah.