Muharram Explained: 10 Must-Know Facts New

Understanding Muharram: 10 Fundamental Points from Islamic Teachings

(In the light of the Qur’an, Sunnah, and the Sayings of the Salaf)

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Muharram al-Haram is a month of immense greatness, blessing, and sanctity. It is the first month of the Hijri year and is also one of the sacred months about which Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, has stated in the Holy Qur’an:

﴿إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّهُورِ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱثۡنَا عَشَرَ شَهۡرࣰا فِی كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ یَوۡمَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ ٰ⁠تِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ مِنۡهَاۤ أَرۡبَعَةٌ حُرُمࣱۚ ذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ ٱلدِّینُ ٱلۡقَیِّمُۚ فَلَا تَظۡلِمُوا۟ فِیهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمۡۚ﴾ – [At-Tawbah: 36].

"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."

The four sacred months are “Dhul Qa’dah,” “Dhul Hijjah,” “Muharram,” and “Rajab.” The reward for good deeds and the consequence of bad deeds in these months are greater than in other months. Currently, the magnificent and sacred month of Muharram al-Haram is upon us.

Therefore, here are ten brief, fundamental points regarding the month of Muharram al-Haram, presented in the light of the Qur’an, Sunnah, and the sayings of the Salaf:

1) The Month of Muharram is the Month of Allah:

Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, has honored and dignified Muharram al-Haram by attributing it to Himself, indicating that He Himself has declared this month sacred. Therefore, it is not permissible for anyone to make it lawful [for fighting].

Imam Ibn Rajab (may Allah have mercy on him) says:

“The Prophet ﷺ called Muharram the month of Allah, and its attribution to Allah, the Lord of Glory, is a proof of its honor and virtue, for Allah attributes to Himself only His special and great creations.” [Lata’if al-Ma’arif, pp. 90-91].

2) The Greatness of Muharram al-Haram:

Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, has also mentioned the greatness of Muharram in the Holy Qur’an. Allah the Almighty says:

﴿إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّهُورِ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱثۡنَا عَشَرَ شَهۡرࣰا فِی كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ یَوۡm خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ ٰ⁠تِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ مِنۡهَاۤ أَرۡبَعَةٌ حُرُمࣱۚ ذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ ٱلدِّینُ ٱلۡقَیِّمُۚ فَلَا تَظۡلِمُوا۟ فِیهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمۡۚ﴾ – [At-Tawbah: 36].

"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."

Furthermore, the Prophet ﷺ also described its greatness and importance in his pure Sunnah, saying:

“إنَّ الزَّمانَ قد استدار كهيئتِه يومَ خَلَق اللهُ السَّمواتِ والأرضَ، السَّنةُ اثنا عَشَرَ شَهرًا، منها أربعةٌ حُرُمٌ، ثلاثٌ متوالياتٌ: ذو القَعْدةِ، وذو الحِجَّةِ، والمحَرَّمُ، ورَجَبُ مُضَرَ الذي بين جُمادى وشَعبانَ”. – [Muttafaqun ‘alayh].

“Behold, time has returned to its original state, upon which Allah created the heavens and the earth. The year is twelve months, of which four are sacred: three are consecutive, namely Dhul Qa’dah, Dhul Hijjah, and Muharram, and the fourth is Rajab of Mudar, which falls between Jumada al-Akhirah and Sha’ban.”

A group of scholars has declared Muharram to be the most virtuous of the sacred months. [Lata’if al-Ma’arif, p. 70]

Sheikh Abu Sufyan al-Nahdi says regarding the Salaf (may Allah have mercy on them):

“The righteous Salaf used to greatly honor three ten-day periods, and they are:

(1) The last ten days of Ramadan

(2) The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah

(3) And the first ten days of Muharram al-Haram.”

[Lata’if al-Ma’arif, p. 757]

3) Injustice and Transgression are More Strictly Forbidden in the Sacred Months Compared to Other Months:

Sheikh Sa’di (may Allah have mercy on him) says regarding the verse ﴿فَلَا تَظۡلِمُوا۟ فِیهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمۡۚ﴾ – [At-Tawbah: 36] “so do not wrong yourselves during them.”

“In this verse, there is a possibility that the pronoun ‘hinna’ (during them) refers to the twelve months, or it could refer to the four sacred months, because the prohibition of injustice and transgression in these months is greater and more severe than in other months.” [Tafsir al-Sa’di, commentary on the mentioned verse]

4) The Reason for Naming Muharram by This Name:

It is said that the month was named Muharram because killing and fighting are forbidden (haram) in it. Hafiz Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) states:

“There is a difference of opinion among scholars, based on two views, regarding whether the ruling on the prohibition of initiating killing and fighting in the sacred months is abrogated or still in effect.

The first view: It is well-known that the ruling on initiating fighting is abrogated because Allah the Almighty said here: ﴿فَلَا تَظۡلِمُوا۟ فِیهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمۡۚ﴾ – [At-Tawbah: 36] “so do not wrong yourselves during them,” and commanded to fight the polytheists.

The second view: It is that initiating killing and fighting in these months is forbidden, and the sanctity of the sacred month has not been abrogated because Allah the Almighty’s command is:

﴿ٱلشَّهۡرُ ٱلۡحَرَامُ بِٱلشَّهۡرِ ٱلۡحَرَامِ وَٱلۡحُرُمَـٰتُ قِصَاصࣱۚ فَمَنِ ٱعۡتَدَىٰ عَلَیۡكُمۡ فَٱعۡتَدُوا۟ عَلَیۡهِ بِمِثۡلِ مَا ٱعۡتَدَىٰ عَلَیۡكُمۡۚ﴾ – [Al-Baqarah: 194]

‘The sacred month is for the sacred month, and for [all] violations is legal retribution. So whoever has assaulted you, then assault him in the same way that he has assaulted you.’ And He also said:

﴿فَإِذَا ٱنسَلَخَ ٱلۡأَشۡهُرُ ٱلۡحُرُمُ فَٱقۡتُلُوا۟ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِینَ﴾[At-Tawbah:5] –

‘And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them.'” – [Tafsir Ibn Kathir (2/468)]

5) It is Sunnah to Fast in Muharram al-Haram:

The virtue of fasting in the month of Muharram is mentioned in the hadith, where the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

” أَفْضَلُ الصِّيامِ بَعْدَ رَمَضانَ شَهْرُ اللهِ المُحَرَّمُ”. – [Sahih Muslim: 1163].

“The best fasting after Ramadan is the fasting of Allah’s month, Muharram.”

There is a difference of opinion among scholars, based on two views, as to whether one should fast the entire month of Muharram or fast most of its days:

1- The apparent text of the hadith indicates the virtue of fasting the entire month of Muharram.

2- Whereas some scholars interpret it as an encouragement to fast as much as possible in Muharram, not to fast the entire month, as it is narrated in the Sahihayn from ‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her):

“ما رأَيتُ رسولَ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ استكمَلَ صيامَ شهرٍ قطُّ إلَّا رَمَضانَ، وما رأيتُه في شهرٍ أكثرَ صيامًا منه في شعبانَ”. – [Muttafaqun ‘alayh].

“I never saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fast a complete month except for Ramadan, and I never saw him fast more in any month than he did in Sha’ban.”

6) The Reason Why the Prophet ﷺ Fasted More in Sha’ban than in Muharram al-Haram:

Imam an-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said in this regard:

“Perhaps the knowledge of the virtue of Muharram al-Haram came to the Prophet ﷺ in the later part of his life, when he may not have had the strength to complete its fasting, or he may have been unable to fast extensively due to travel or illness during this month.” [Sharh Sahih Muslim: 8/37].

7) The Best Day to Fast in the Month of Muharram is the Day of ‘Ashura:

The Day of ‘Ashura refers to the tenth day of Muharram. Fasting on this day is an expiation for the sins of the previous year, as mentioned in Sahih Muslim, when the Prophet ﷺ was asked about fasting on the Day of ‘Ashura, he said:

“أحْتَسِبُ على اللهِ أنْ يُكَفِّرَ السنَةَ التِي قَبْلَهُ”. – [Sahih Muslim: 1162].

“I hope from Allah that it will expiate for the sins of the preceding year.”

8) The Wisdom Behind Fasting on ‘Ashura:

The wisdom behind fasting on the Day of ‘Ashura is mentioned in the hadith of Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) in the Sahihayn:

“أنَّ النَّبيَّ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ لَمَّا قَدِمَ المَدِينَةَ، وجَدَهُمْ يَصُومُونَ يَوْمًا، يَعْنِي عَاشُورَاءَ، فَقالوا: هذا يَوْمٌ عَظِيمٌ، وهو يَوْمٌ نَجَّى اللَّهُ فيه مُوسَى، وأَغْرَقَ آلَ فِرْعَوْنَ، فَصَامَ مُوسَى شُكْرًا لِلَّهِ، فَقالَ: أَنَا أَوْلَى بمُوسَى منهمْ. فَصَامَهُ، وأَمَرَ بصِيَامِهِ”. – [Muttafaqun ‘alayh].

“When the Prophet ﷺ came to Madinah, he found the (Jews) fasting on a day, that is, ‘Ashura. They (the Jews) said: ‘This is a great day. It is the day when Allah saved Musa and drowned the people of Fir’awn. So, Musa fasted on this day as a sign of gratitude to Allah.’ The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘I have more right to Musa than they have.’ So he fasted on that day and ordered (the Muslims) to fast on that day.”

9) Fasting a Day Before ‘Ashura is Sunnah and an Opposition to the Jews:

It is narrated from Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that:

“حِينَ صَامَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلَّمَ يَومَ عَاشُورَاءَ وَأَمَرَ بصِيَامِهِ قالوا: يا رَسولَ اللهِ، إنَّه يَوْمٌ تُعَظِّمُهُ اليَهُودُ وَالنَّصَارَى، فَقالَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلَّمَ: فَإِذَا كانَ العَامُ المُقْبِلُ -إنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ- صُمْنَا اليومَ التَّاسِعَ، قالَ: فَلَمْ يَأْتِ العَامُ المُقْبِلُ حتَّى تُوُفِّيَ رَسولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلَّمَ”. – [Sahih Muslim: 1134].

“When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fasted on the day of ‘Ashura and commanded its observance, they said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, it is a day that the Jews and Christians glorify.’ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘If I am alive next year, if Allah wills, we will also fast on the ninth day.’ Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: ‘The next year did not come before the Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed away.'”

The narration about fasting a day before and a day after the Day of ‘Ashura is not proven from the Prophet ﷺ through an authentic chain. Therefore, the narration of Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) is authentic that for a person who fasts on the Day of ‘Ashura, it is not necessary to fast both the day before and the day after ‘Ashura. Rather, fasting on the Day of ‘Ashura and the ninth of Muharram before it will be sufficient for him, in opposition to the Jews.

10) The Ruling on Making the Intention for the ‘Ashura Fast During the Day:

It is permissible to make the intention to fast ‘Ashura and Tasu’a (the day before ‘Ashura) during the day, but it is better to make the intention for the fast from the night. – [Sharh Sahih Muslim by an-Nawawi (8/276), Ash-Sharh al-Mumti’ by Sheikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (6/359)].

And for one who has to make up fasts of Ramadan, it is permissible to fast on the Day of ‘Ashura; because the time for making up fasts is extended.” – [Majmoo’ Fatawa wa Rasa’il of our Sheikh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy on him (20/48)].

Conclusion:

The month of Muharram is a month of great honor and blessing in the sight of Allah the Almighty, in which the reward for good deeds is multiplied and sins are met with a stricter reckoning. The virtue of this month is established from the Qur’an, Hadith, and the sayings of the righteous Salaf. The fast of the Day of ‘Ashura is particularly important, as it becomes an expiation for the minor sins of the previous year. We should respect the sanctity of this month, engage in worship as much as possible, fast, and avoid all kinds of sins. Furthermore, on the occasion of the Day of ‘Ashura, we should fast on the 9th and 10th of Muharram in opposition to the Jews, so that the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ can be acted upon.