Bismillahirrahmanirrahiim
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets and Chief of the Messengers, and upon all his family and companions.
My dear akhuwaty muslimah, my sisters muslimah,
We started of The new Islamic Hijri year 1433 last Saturday November 26, 2011…
To celebrate the new Hijri year with the more proper understanding We need to remind each other of the significance of Islamic year Insha-Allah.
Allah’s sacred month of Muharram is a blessed and important month. It is the first month of the Hijri calendar and is one of the four sacred months concerning which Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so it was ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four ( Zil-Qadah, Zil-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab) are sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein … ” [Al-Qur’an 9:36]
Why is it a sacred (muharram) month? Answer: Because wrongdoing during the sacred months is more serious and more sinful that wrongdoing at any other time and also good deeds bring a greater reward and virtue by Almighty Allah.
Although the month of Muharram is a sacred month as a whole, but the 10 th of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named ‘Ashurah’.( the tenth).
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said: “The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadhan is the fasting of Allah’s month of Muharram.” (Muslim)
In another Hadeeth, Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) reports: “that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said: “The one that keeps a fast in the month of Muharram will receive the reward of thirty fasts for each fast (in this sacred month).” (Tabraani) .
“This fast is a compensation for the (minor) sins of the past year.” (Muslim).
We should also observe the fast of the 9th Muharram to safeguard his deed from resemblance with the Non-Muslims who fast only on the 10th Muharram. “When Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) observed the fast of the day of Aashura and ordered (his Companions) to fast, they said:
`O Rasulullah! It is a day revered (glorified) by the Jews and Christians.’ Thereupon Rasulullah said: “The coming year, if Allah wills (I remain alive), I will for surely fast on the ninth (also).” (Muslim).
However, if one does not manage to fast on the ninth, then he/she should fast on the eleventh of Muharram instead.
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said: “Observe the fast of Aashora and oppose the Jews. Fast a day before it or a day after.” (Baihaqi) Hence, it is important to either fast on the ninth and the tenth or the tenth and the eleventh of Muharram. To fast only on the day of Aashura is Makrooh (because this jews fasting only this day) as stated by Allamah Ibn Aabideen Shaami.
In this day, one should be generous on one’s family and dependants and spend more on them than what is normally spent. Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said: “One who generously spends on his family on the day of Aashora, Allah will increase (his provision) for the whole year.” (Baihaqi) .
Let us observe this great day according to the ways of Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) and the Sahabah (Radhiyallahu-Anhum). By avoid wrong doing and do good deeds and also fasting at 9-10 or 10-11 of Muharram 1433 H , which are at 4-5 or 5-6 December 2011 ).
We ask Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala to help us to remember Allah and be thankful to Allah, to worship Him properly and to accept our good deeds.
May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala make us of those who are pious and fear Him. May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala grant us a very blessed new Hijri year and collect a lot of good deeds.
May this year be the year of seeking more knowledge of our beautiful faith and actions inspired by the knowledge acquired! May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala accept our deeds and grant us Jannahtul Ferdous, Aameen.
May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad and all his family and companions. Alhamdulillahirabbil ‘alamiin.
