The Virtue and Importance of Muharram al-Haram

The word “Muharram” is derived from the Arabic root “ḥarrama, yuḥarrimu,” meaning to sanctify, prohibit, or regard something as sacred. Thus, “Muharram” literally means: the sacred month or a time during which certain actions are forbidden (ḥarām). In Islamic terminology, “Muharram” is one of the four sacred months designated by Allah, as mentioned in the Quran:

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّـهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّـهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ

(Surah At-Tawbah, 9:36)

Translation:

“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.”

Muharram is among these sacred months, during which warfare and fighting were prohibited, and its sanctity has been emphasized in Islamic law. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ referred to it as “Shahrullah al-Muḥarram” (the Sacred Month of Allah), highlighting its special status.

The Sacred Months (Ashur al-Ḥurum)

The four sacred months are:

1. Dhul-Qa’dah
2. Dhul-Hijjah
3. Muharram al-Haram
4. Rajab al-Murajjab

Their sanctity lies in the fact that sins committed during these months carry greater punishment, while good deeds are more rewarding. Thus, one should increase worship and abstain from all sins. Even during the pre-Islamic era of ignorance (Jahiliyyah), people recognized the sanctity of these months and refrained from fighting. Arabs would sheathe their swords, cease raids, and even enemies would meet without hostility.

(‘Aja’ib al-Makhluqat, p. 44)

The First Month: Muharram al-Haram

Muharram is called so because fighting is prohibited in this month. It is “the Month of Allah,” and the 10th of Muharram, “Yawm ‘Āshūrā’”, holds immense significance. Numerous major events occurred on this day, including:

• The drowning of Pharaoh and his army.
• The acceptance of Prophet Adam’s (عليه السلام) repentance.
• The repentance of Prophet Yunus’ (عليه السلام) people being accepted.
• Prophet Nuh (عليه السلام) safely disembarking from the Ark and observing a fast in gratitude.
• The splitting of the sea for Banu Israel.
• The births of Prophets Ibrahim, Isa, Musa, and Yusuf (عليهم السلام).
• Prophet Yusuf’s (عليه السلام) release from prison.
• Prophet Yunus’ (عليه السلام) emergence from the whale’s belly.
• Prophet Ibrahim’s (عليه السلام) salvation from the fire of Nimrod.
• Prophet Ayyub’s (عليه السلام) recovery from illness.
• Prophet Yaqub’s (عليه السلام) restoration of eyesight.
• Prophet Yusuf’s (عليه السلام) rescue from the well.
• Prophet Sulaiman’s (عليه السلام) attainment of kingship.
• Prophet Musa’s (عليه السلام) victory over the magicians.
• The martyrdom of Imam Husayn (رضي الله عنه).
• The Day of Judgment will occur on this day.
• Allah’s establishment of His Throne (Arsh).
• The first rainfall and mercy descended.
• The creation of the Pen (Qalam), heavens, mountains, and oceans.
• Prophet Idris’ (عليه السلام) ascension to Paradise.
• The People of the Cave (Ashab al-Kahf) would turn in their sleep on ‘Āshūrā’.

*(Ghuniyat al-Talibin, Vol. 2, p. 53; Fayd al-Qadeer, Vol. 5, p. 226; Minyat al-Talibin, Vol. 2, p. 53; Nuzhat al-Majalis, p. 125)*

If you would like a detailed discussion on these events, please share your thoughts in the comments.

Righteous Deeds on ‘Āshūrā’

‘Āshūrā’ is a blessed day, and every good deed carries immense reward. Some recommended acts include:

Showing Kindness to Orphans

• The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever strokes an orphan’s head on ‘Āshūrā’, Allah will elevate their rank in Paradise for every hair touched.” (Ghuniyat al-Talibin, Vol. 2, p. 53)
• Another hadith states: “Whoever cares for an orphan for Allah’s sake, I and they will be close in Paradise like these two fingers.” (Musnad Ahmad, Mishkat, p. 423)

Performing Ghusl (Ritual Bath)

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever bathes on ‘Āshūrā’ will be protected from illness except death.” 

Applying Kohl (Surma)

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever applies kohl on ‘Āshūrā’ will not suffer eye ailments.”  (Mulla Ali Qari, al-Mawdu’at al-Kubir)

Being Generous to Family

• The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever is generous to their family on ‘Āshūrā’, Allah will grant them abundance all year.” (Mishkat al-Masabih)
• Sufyan al-Thawri tested this for 50 years and found it true. (Ghuniyat al-Talibin, Vol. 2, p. 54; Fayd al-Qadeer, Vol. 2, p. 232)

Visiting the Sick

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever visits a sick person on ‘Āshūrā’, it is as if they visited all of humanity.”

Giving Water to Others

“Whoever provides water on ‘Āshūrā’, it is as if they never disobeyed Allah.” (Ghuniyat al-Talibin)

Fasting on ‘Āshūrā’

• The Prophet ﷺ fasted on this day and commanded others to do so.
• “Fasting on ‘Āshūrā’ expiates the sins of the previous year.”  (Sahih Muslim, Mishkat, p. 178)
• The Jews also fasted on this day, commemorating Musa’s (عليه السلام) victory over Pharaoh. The Prophet ﷺ said: “We have more right to Musa than them,” and fasted.
• It is recommended to fast the 9th and 10th of Muharram.

Prohibited Acts on ‘Āshūrā’

It is narrated from Sayyidunā ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd {رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ} that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

        “He is not from among us who strikes his cheeks,         tears his collar, or calls out with the cries of the      Days of Ignorance.”  (Sahih al-Bukhari & Sahih   Muslim | Mishkāt, p.150)

Sayyidunā Abū Burdah {رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ} narrates:

Once, Abū Mūsā al-Ashʿarī {رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ} fell unconscious. A woman from his household, known by her kunyah as Umm ʿAbdullāh, came and began crying loudly and wailing over him. When he regained consciousness, he said to her:

“Do you not know?”

Then Abū Mūsā {رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ} informed her that the Prophet ﷺ said:

        “I have nothing to do with the one who shaves     her head, raises her voice in wailing, or tears her    clothing (in mourning).” (Sahih al-Bukhari &      Sahih Muslim | Mishkāt, p.150)

Sayyidunā Abū Mālik al-Ashʿarī {رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ} narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

        “There are four traits from the practices of the     Days of Ignorance (Jāhiliyyah) that remain in my        Ummah:

1. Boasting about lineage,
2. Slandering others based on their ancestry,
3. Seeking rain through the stars,
4. And wailing over the dead.

And he ﷺ further said:

        “The woman who wails—if she does not repent    before her death—will be raised on the Day of Judgment wearing a garment of molten copper and a shirt of scabs (or itching disease).” (Sahih     Muslim | Mishkāt)

Stories of ‘Āshūrā’

A Muslim prisoner escaped on ‘Āshūrā’ and prayed for deliverance. Allah blinded his pursuers, and he was saved. He fasted that day and was granted sustenance for 10 years in a dream.  (Nuzhat al-Majalis, Vol. 1, p. 145)

A judge ignored a beggar on ‘Āshūrā’, while a Christian helped him. That night, the judge saw in a dream that his palace in Paradise was given to the Christian. The judge offered wealth to reclaim the reward, but the Christian refused, embraced Islam, and testified:

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ

(Nuzhat al-Majalis, Vol. 1, p. 146)

A man donated seven dirhams on ‘Āshūrā’ but saw no return. The next year, he heard a scholar say: “One dirham given on ‘Āshūrā’ brings 1,000 in reward.” That night, he was given 7,000 dirhams with the admonishment: “Had you been patient, the reward would have been greater.”

(Rawd al-Afkar, Nuzhat al-Majalis, Vol. 1, p. 147)

This spiritual and informative blog is compiled by Hazrat Sarkar Pir Abu Noman Rizvi Saifi, dedicated to guiding the Muslim Ummah. If you found this beneficial, please share it with others to spread its blessings.