Muharram
is the first month of the Islamic Calendar.
(2) What
happened in Muharram?
Imam Hussain (as) was brutally martyred along with
his companions and family members including a six-month old Son after three
days of no food and water in a desert.
(3) Who was Hussain?
Hussain (as) was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (sa).
(4) `Who martyred him?
Yazid, an unjust individual, who claimed to be the
caliph of Muslims, martyred Hussain (as), his companions and family members.
(5) Why was Hussain martyred?
Yazid tried to bring unlawful changes in Islam and
also harm humanity at large. Hussein (as) being the grandson of the Holy
Prophet (sa) stood against him and his unjust ways.
(6) Why give so much importance to the 10th of ‘Muharram’?
The Tenth Day of the Sacred Month of Muharram is called the Day of 'Aashoora'. This is a special day in the history of Islam. It is the most virtuous day of the month of Muharram. Many important events took place on the Day of ‘Aashoora’.
May Almighty Allah bless all of you in this Sacred
Month of Muharram:
The Month of Aashoora;
The Month of Karbala;
The Month of the Martyrdom of Sayyiduna 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (ra) and Sayyiduna Al-Imam Hussain (ra).
The Day of Aashoora
The 10th of Muharram, known as the day of Aashoora, is one of the most
auspicious days in the Islamic Calendar.
Rasulullah (sa) mentioned in a Hadith regarding the
fasting on this day. ‘I hope from Allah that fasting on the Day of Aashoora may
atone for the sins of the preceding year.’ (Sahih Muslim).
Rasulullah (sa) advised the Ummah to keep a fast
either a day before or after the Tenth. This was because the Jews also fasted
on the Tenth. Hence, it was necessary that the Muslims be distinct & apart
from the practices of the non-Muslims. This leaves a powerful lesson for his
Ummah: Muslims [when they] fast [at] any given time or place, [it] be distinct
and different [from the] practices, norms and culture of the non-Muslims.
Additionally, the Day of Aashoora is an excellent
opportunity to spend on one's family. Rasulullah (sa) has stated: ‘Whoever
increases (his expenditure) on his family on the Day of Aashoora, Allah will
increase his sustenance for the remainder of that year.’
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[Adapted from Tarbiyyat lessons compiled and shared by the office of Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius in a recent series of communications with disciples and followers around the world].