Useful and Important Dates In Islam | Muharram | Theguddeeds

 Important Dates In Muharram

The month of Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months in Islam (Rajab, Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram). It is recommended that we hold high respect for these sacred months. We shouldn't fight one another or engage in any unlawful activity. 

In this month of Muharram, some days are very important and significant. Anyone who engages in an act of worship, as recommended by the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ , in these will be rewarded, massively.

Some of the important days in the month of Muharram are:

1. Tāsū'ā :

 The ninth day of this blessed month. It is called Tāsū-a. Fasting on this day is Sunnah (recommended). It is necessary to fast on this day for anyone who wishes tof on the 10th day of Muharram.

2. Ashūrā :

This is the tenth day of Muharram. It is called Ashūrā'. It is the day that Allah granted Prophet Musa emancipation from Pharaoh. So, The Jews fast on this day in token of their joy. The Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also admonished the Muslims to fast on this day as it is an expiation for the sins of the preceding year.

Ashura' 10th of Muharram. In another Hadith, it is stated that when the Prophet (PBUH) emigrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah, he saw that the Jews were fasting on this day. He asked them why they did this on that  day, and they told him that they did it for the reason that Allah granted Prophet Musa emancipation from Pharaoh on  this day, and so they observed Saum in token of their joy. On this, he (PBUH) said that in this happiness of Prophet  Musa, Muslims have a greater right to observe Saum than the Jews. Consequently, he also observed Saum on 10th of Muharram. Then, he said that if he lived the following year, he would observe Saum on 9th of Muharram also so that they would make themselves different from the Jews. According to another Hadith, he (PBUH) ordained the Muslims to observe Saum on `Ashura' and in addition one more Saum on 9th or 11th of Muharram in opposition to the Jews. (Musnad Ahmad, Vol.4, P-21, edited by Ahmad Shakir; and Mujamma` Az-Zawaid, Vol.3, P-188). Thus observance of two Saum on this occasion is a Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). These two Saum can be observed  either on 9th and 10th or 10th and 11th of Muharram. It is regrettable indeed that present-day Muslims do not follow  this Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). 1

3. Ayyāmul-Bīd :

 The white days. Fasting on these three days is a tradition of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ . They are called "The White Days" because the moon is always bright on these days, and the moon gradually diminishes after these days. It was the practice of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) to not to omit fast on “bright days' whether he was staying at home or on journey.

This piece is written to urge us to follow the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by fasting in these days or part of them, if not all. May Almighty Allah make the fasting easy for each and everyone of us. 

Jazaakumullahu Khayran.