“For Allah, the number of months in a year which He prescribed on the day He created the heavens and the earth is twelve months, among which four are sacred (Muharram, Rajab, Dhul-Qaddah and Dhul-Hijjah). That is the right religion. Do not wrong yourselves during these months. But fight the idolaters all together, just as they fight you all together. And know that Allah is with those who are mindful of Him.” (At-Tauba 9:36)
During the sacred months, war is forbidden; but
if we look at the context of this verse when it was revealed, the disbelievers
used even the sacred months as an opportunity for war. Some people, by their
own imagination, claimed that certain months were sacred and others were not.
They would change which months were to be considered sacred or not sacred
whenever they wished, altering them to suit their desires.
The lunar calendar was being calculated on the
basis of thirteen months, but Allah, with the coming of the Noble Prophet
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), established the truth regarding how time should be
reckoned by observing the position of the moon. For the lunar calendar that
Allah established, and which is valid in His sight, there are only twelve
months; not thirteen, not fourteen, nor less than twelve. Allah has said
clearly: twelve, and among them four are sacred.
And now, among these four, there is the blessed
month of Muharram, the beginning of the Islamic calendar. The Holy Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) said in a Hadith reported in Sahih Bukhari: “Time has
returned to its original form as it was on the day Allah created the heavens
and the earth; the year has twelve months, among which four are sacred:
Zul-Qa’dah, Zul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab.” This shows the importance of
Muharram, that it is not only the beginning of the Islamic year, but also a
spiritual reminder for every Muslim.
It is unfortunate that the enemies of Islam
often choose the sacred months to attack Muslims, in order to test their
patience during these months. One of the months also filled with blessings is
the month of Ramadan, the month of fasting. This month is entirely blessed
because it is the month of fasting, and within it lies the Night of Destiny (Laila-tul-Qadr).
Thus, the enemies of Islam deliberately wait
for the months that Muslims consider sacred to wage war against them. Allah
states clearly in this verse that if the enemies unite first to wage war
against us – the Muslims – then we have Allah’s permission to unite as well to
fight against those enemies who exceed all limits in their actions.
Looking at the situation in the world, for
years there has been a diabolical plan to massacre Muslims and seize their
lands so that Satanists and Zionists may gain total control over this world and
monopolise all natural resources and treasures that Allah has granted to Muslim
countries. But unfortunately, the leaders of Muslim countries are not united.
They continue to cling to divisions based on hatred of different Aqeedah
within Islam. They forget that they all believe in one Allah. Instead of
looking to the future of the Ummah, they look to their own pockets,
their own honour, and they do not help one another to bring victory over the
disbelievers.
Here, I am not speaking of Muslims in general
scattered across the world. I am speaking of those countries that claim to be
Islamic, that claim to believe in Allah and His Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh),
and that are supposed to establish themselves upon the laws of the Quran and
the Sunnah. They themselves are the first to violate the Shariah of Islam,
seeking their own profit. On their lips they say they are Muslims, but their
actions are not Muslim. This is what Allah warns against in this very important
verse of the Quran, which speaks of His sacred months. He says, when the
disbelievers, those who exceed all limits in their evil, unite to finish Islam,
then why do those who hold power in their hands to defend Islam against the
attacks of these Shaytans not defend the Muslim countries and the Ummah
as a whole? Why do they look only to their own interests and forget their
unity? Not just any unity, but a unity in faith is required, where Muslims,
those who truly have faith, unite their strength together to fight evil in all
its forms, to uphold the glory of Islam, and to restore its splendour not only
on a global level but also within their own hearts.
While many Muslims around the world seek this
unity, unfortunately those at the head are not uniting. They prefer to lend a
hand to the disbelievers to crush their own Muslim brothers, sisters and
children. Instead of becoming like a true Imam Hussein who fought against the
injustice of a tyrant – Yazid – they themselves act like Yazid and are
finishing Islam with their own hands. There is much to reflect upon here, to
desire a reversal of the situation, but for that, one must turn to Allah, yes,
in Duah, but also with effort. These
two go hand in hand.
Bear in mind that in the month of Muharram,
there is a day called Ashura, that is, the tenth day of Muharram. This was a
day that the Jews used to celebrate long before Islam, to commemorate the
victory of Hazrat Musa (as) over Firaun (Pharaoh). And when Hazrat Muhammad
(pbuh) learned of this, he commanded his followers to fast on that day as well,
because Muslims have more right to Hazrat Musa (as) than the Jews, since they
have violated his teachings, and the true followers of Hazrat Musa (as) are us,
the Muslims. That fast was obligatory until Allah ordained an entire month for
Muslims to fast, a month filled with blessings. From then on, Ashura became
optional. Whoever among the Muslims wishes to fast on that day is welcome to do
so, or he may also choose not to.
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) enumerated the benefit
of fasting on Ashura, where he (pbuh) said: “The fast of Ashura expiates the
sins of the previous year.” (Muslim). This shows the great mercy of Allah,
Who grants an opportunity for Muslims, those who are truly Muslims in heart and
faith and thus true followers of Hazrat Musa (as), to purify their hearts and
souls. But Muharram is not limited only to fasting; it is also a month of
reflection, remembrance and reminder of the sacrifices that were made to
preserve truth and justice.
As I mentioned earlier, one of the most
significant events in Muharram is the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (ra), the
grandson of the Holy Prophet (pbuh), in Karbala in the year 61. This was a
moment of great sorrow, but also an eternal lesson. Imam Hussein (ra) chose
truth rather than compromise with injustice. He showed that faith (Iman) and justice must remain higher
than life itself. In the Quran, Allah says: “O
you who have believed! Stand firm for Allah, as witnesses in justice.”
(Al-Maida 5: 9). Imam Hussein (ra) embodied this verse in his sacrifice; he
remained firm upon the truth despite the hardships and persecutions inflicted
by Yazid Ibn Mu’awiyya and his army upon him, and the rest of the family, and
the followers of the Holy Prophet (pbuh).
Muharram is also a reminder of the noble
conduct of the Holy Prophet (pbuh), what we call “Akhlaq-e-Mustafawi”.
Allah says in the Quran: “Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent
model for whoever hopes in Allah and the Last Day.” (Al-Ahzab 33: 22).
This means that in Muharram, every Muslim should reflect upon his behaviour,
his Akhlaq, and strive to follow the example of the Holy Prophet (pbuh).
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) also taught that the
best action is faith in Allah and in His Messenger. In Sahih Muslim, Hazrat Abu
Huraira (ra) reported that a question was asked to the Prophet (pbuh): “What
is the best action?” He (pbuh) replied: “Faith in Allah and His
Messenger.” Then he (pbuh) said: “Jihad in the path of Allah.” And
after that: “A Hajj accepted by Allah.” This shows that faith (Iman) is the foundation of all good
conduct. Without Iman, actions have
no value. But with Iman, every action
– every good action – gains its true worth and blessing.
Muharram is also a time to reflect upon the
Sahaba and their firm faith. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was given the title of “Siddiq”
(the truthful) because he firmly believed in every word of the Prophet (pbuh),
even when what he (pbuh) said seemed impossible to be fulfilled (to come true).
In Muharram, it is also recommended to engage
in much Zikr and Duah. One Duah that I recommend is: “Ya
Hayyu ya Qayyum La Ilaaha Illa ant.” (O Ever-Living, the Sustainer of
all existence, there is no god but You). Repeat this as long as you wish; it
will help your hearts remain alive in faith and grant the one who recites it
with Iman a solution for his
problems, and when he dies one day, he will, Insha-Allah, leave this
world with Iman and with Allah’s
pleasure upon him. Allah says in the Quran: “Those
who say: ‘Our Lord is Allah’, then remain steadfast, the angels descend upon
them and say: ‘Do not fear and do not grieve, but receive glad tidings of
Paradise which you have been promised’.” (Fussilat 41: 31). This
verse is a consolation for the believers, especially in Muharram, when they
reflect upon death and life after death.
The martyrdom of Imam Hussein (ra) is not
merely a historical event; it is a reminder that as long as we have breath
(i.e. life) in our bodies, we must defend the truth. In every era, there are
injustices, false ideologies that take root, and all kinds of temptations. But
Muharram teaches us that faith and justice must remain stronger. Hazrat Imam
Hussein (ra) said: “Life with injustice is humiliation; death with truth is
honour.” These words remain a guide for every Muslim, especially in this
new Islamic year 1448 Hijri.
Thus, Muharram is a month of blessing,
reflection, sacrifice and faith. It teaches that the best action is faith in
Allah and His Messenger (pbuh); it reminds us of the fast of Ashura as a
purification; it shows us that the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussein (ra) was a
light – a light of truth in the face of filth and tyranny embodied by Yazid.
Therefore, Muharram is a powerful reminder that every Muslim must hold in his
heart love for truth, for the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), and for the Deen
of Allah, which Allah Himself established for the safeguarding of truth and
faith in the world. Faith is true faith in Allah and His prophets, His
revelations and sacred books, His angels, His decrees and destiny which He has
established for every person, and the belief that there will be consequences
for all that man does on earth, whether he will attain Paradise or Hell.
Therefore, a believer, a true Muslim, must avoid injustice and remain attached
to the truth.
Thus, Muharram is not only the beginning of a
new year; it is a spiritual reminder, a call towards faith, a hope and courage
to banish injustice. Imam Hussein (ra) gave his life to preserve the truth; and
our beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) taught us good conduct, such conduct
that will benefit us in this world and in the Hereafter.
In this New Year 1448 Hijri, every Muslim must make Duah for the Ummah, for peace, for guidance, and for strength to remain firm upon the truth. May Allah grant blessing in this sacred month to every sincere believer, and may He protect the Ummah of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), and grant each of us a life on earth filled with Iman and a return to Him also filled with Iman. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
---Friday
Sermon of