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Aug 9-15, 2021
Muharram 1-7, 1443

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Muharram - The First Sacred Month of Islam

What have Allah and His Messenger said about

Muharram - The First Sacred Month of Islam

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ وَقَاتِلُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ كَافَّةً كَمَا يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ كَافَّةً ۚ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ
Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are Sacred (i.e. the 1st, the 7th, the 11th and the 12th months of the Islamic calendar). That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein, and fight against the Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) collectively as they fight against you collectively. But know that Allah is with those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious). Surah At-Tawbah (9) – Verse 36
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، – رضى الله عنه – قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ أَفْضَلُ الصِّيَامِ بَعْدَ رَمَضَانَ شَهْرُ اللَّهِ الْمُحَرَّمُ وَأَفْضَلُ الصَّلاَةِ بَعْدَ الْفَرِيضَةِ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ ‏”‏ ‏.
Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said: The most excellent fast after Ramadan is God’s month. al-Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night Sahih Al Muslim:1163
“Muharram” means “sacred” and it is one of the months declared as such in the Qur’an. Allah swt says منها اربعة حرم “From them, four are sacred” (ie. Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram & Rajab.)

Muharram marks the start of the Hijri calendar year. Hijrah means migration. After suffering several years of persecution under the polytheists, Rasulullah ﷺ migrated from Makkah Mukarramah to Madinah Munawwarah. Since Islam was on the ascendancy after this migration, the Companions started the Islamic calendar from his Hijrah, not from his birth or death.

FASTING DURING MUHARRAM:

It is recommended to fast during Muharram. Hadith says: “The best of fasts, besides the month of Ramadhan, is the fast of Allah’s month, Muharram.” [Muslim]

“The one that keeps a fast in the month of Muharram will receive the reward of thirty fasts for each fast.” [Tabarāni]

Aashuraa, The 10th of Muharram (Thursday 19th August 2021 AD) is one of the blessed days in the Islamic Calendar:

It is the day in which Sayyiduna Musa alayhissalam and Bani Israeel crossed the Red Sea, and Pharaoh was drowned in it. The Jews of Madina Shareef would fast on this day as thanksgiving. Rasulullah ﷺ said to them: “We are more close to Musa than you.” (i.e. We resemble him more than you. Our beliefs are the same as his, we pray like him, we dress like him, whereas You have drifted away from his teachings.) Then he fasted and instructed the Muslims to fast too. [Abu Dawood]

Before the fasts of Ramadhan were prescribed, the fast of the day of Aashuraa was compulsory:

Ummul Mu’mineen Aaisha Radhiallahu Anha stated that: “The Holy Prophet ﷺ ordered us to fast on Aashurah. However, when the fast of Ramadhan became compulsory, then whosoever wished, kept this fast and whosoever desired did not observe this fast.” [Bukhari] Nevertheless, the Prophet ﷺ continued to fast this day and encouraged his Companions to do the same. “This fast is an expiation for the sins of the previous year, (ie. minor sins)” [Muslim] “When the Prophet ﷺ observed the fast of the day of Aashuraa and ordered (his Companions) to fast, they said: “Ya Rasulullah! It is a day revered by the Jews and Christians.” He replied: “The coming year, if I remain alive, I will fast on the ninth (also).” [Muslim]

Hence we should try to fast for two days; the 9th &10th or 10th &11th of Muharram, although the 10th alone is sufficient too.

SPENDING MORE THAN NORMAL ON FAMILY AND DEPENDANTS:

“One who spends generously on his family on the day of Aashuraa, Allah will increase (his provision) throughout the year.” [Bayhaqi] Sufyan ibn uyaynah said جربناه فوجدناه كذلك “We experienced it to be true”.

Written by Shaykhul Hadith Maulana AbdulRaheem Limbada db

Spiritual Reminders

The Power of Glorifying Allah
The words of remembrance of Allah clean our hearts, purify our souls and enable us to overpower Shaytan. Without strengthening our hearts through the remembrance of Allah, we cannot gain victory over Shaytan. He will constantly try to control our thoughts and, and even at the most important times, he will make us forget about Allah (SWT). Now, the third of those is the word Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar obviously means that Allah (AWJ) is the greatest, so the person that says Allahu Akbar says that everything is small in front of Allah (SWT). The whole world is small compared to him, and it actually is. One hadith says that this whole first sky between the second sky and third sky is a distance of maybe 500 years, and the first sky includes everything that we know about the universe. Above that is the second sky, and the first sky compared to the second sky is so small that it is almost like a person who takes a ring and tosses it into the middle of a field. Trying to look for that ring is very difficult. That is how small the first sky is compared to the second sky. Imagine how big the second sky is. However, the second sky compared to the third sky is just as small, and likewise, the fourth compared to the fifth is just as small, the fifth to the sixth, the sixth to the seventh. Above the seventh sky is a body of water. This body of water is so vast and big that all seven heavens in front of it are like seven rings tossed into the middle of a field. Above that is the Kursi, and above that is the Arsh (throne) of Allah.
Truly Allah is Akbar (great). What is this world that we are residing in in front of all of that? It’s nothing. And from that this whole world, what is this country, this continent? Nothing. What is our small city in front of that? Nothing. What is our house in front of that? What are we in front of that? Do you see how everything disappears and fades into nothingness and becomes so insignificant when you realize how large the universe is and you realize how great Allah (SWT) is, and how he controls all of it? The effect of saying Allahu Akbar with the right belief is that the fear of all things other than Allah (SWT) leave the heart, because Allah (SWT) is greater than it, no matter how frightening or daunting it is. This problem, difficulty, or person is nothing in front of Allah (SWT). So, when you put these three kalimat together: SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, and Allahu Akbar; it brings a very powerful combination. It cleanses the heart, brings good into the heart, and brings strength into the heart.

Adapted from a talk delivered by Mufti Aasim Rashid

YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF

Sirah

A Non-Muslim Monk Attests to the Prophethood of our Messenger (saw)
When the Messenger of All? [pbuh] was twelve years old, he went with his uncle Abu Talib on a business journey to Syria. When they reached Busra (which was a part of Syria, in the vicinity of Howran under the Roman domain) they met a monk called Bahira (his real name was Georges), who showed great kindness, and entertained them lavishly. He had never been in the habit of receiving or entertaining them before. He readily enough recognized the Prophet [pbuh] and said while taking his hand: “This is the master of all humans. Allah will send him with a Message which will be a mercy to all beings.” Abu Talib asked: “How do you know that?” He replied: “When you appeared from the direction of ‘Aqabah, all stones and trees prostrated themselves, which they never do except for a Prophet. I can recognize him also by the seal of Prophethood which is below his shoulder, like an apple. We have got to learn this from our books.” He also asked Abu Talib to send the boy back to Makkah and not to take him to Syria for fear of the Jews. Abu Talib obeyed and sent him back to Makkah with some of his men servants. [Ibn Hisham 1/180-183; Za’d Al-Ma’ad 1/17]

Sunnah Acts

Sunnas When Waking Up
1. Washing the face with the hand
 
2. Saying a Du’aa: اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي عَافَانِي فِي جَسَدِي، وَرَدَّ عَلَيَّ رُوحِي، وَأَذِنَ لِي بِذِكْرِهِ.
 
Alhamdu lillahil-lathee AAafanee fee jasadee waradda AAalayya roohee wa-athina lee bithikrih.
 
“All praise is for Allah who restored to me my health and returned my soul and has allowed me to remember Him.” At-Tirmidhi 5:473
 
3. Using Sewak and/or a toothbrush

Adhkar/Dua

Du’a when seeing a new moon
اللَّهُمَّ أَهْلِلْهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالْيُمْنِ وَالإِيمَانِ وَالسَّلاَمَةِ وَالإِسْلاَمِ رَبِّي وَرَبُّكَ اللَّهُ
Allahumma ahlilhu `alainā bil-yumni wal-iman, was-salamati wal-Islam, rabbi wa rabbuk Allah
 
“O Allah, bring it over us with blessing and faith, and security and Islam. My Lord and your Lord is Allah.” Tirmidhi: 3451 Read: Significance of the 10th of Muharram

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