Muharram is the first and one of the holiest months in the Islamic Calendar. The 10th day of Muharram, which is called Aashurah in the Arabic language, is an extremely important day which demarcates many events that have taken place on this day throughout history.
The 10th of Muharram is the day on which Allah Almighty:
- Accepted Prophet Adam’s (AS) dua for forgiveness on Mount Rahmat by Makkah Shareef.
This inspires us to always seek Allah Almighty’s forgiveness and keep our hands raised in supplication and wait patiently for mercy from the All Forgiving.
- Allowed Prophet Nuh (AS) to leave the Ark that came to be stationed on Mount Judi in Turkey.
The global flooding that destroyed the world, except for those that embarked upon the Ark, highlights that those who hold tight to the rope of belief in Allah Almighty and His Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) will find salvation.
- Extinguished the fire that King Namrood built to try and burn Prophet Ibraheem (AS).
We can learn from the Abrahamic example to display complete trust in Allah Almighty and that we should face any challenge that is presented to us, without hesitation, for the sake of Allah Almighty.
- United Prophet Yaqoob (AS) with his son Prophet Yusuf (AS) after a long separation.
This union reminds us to always remember that while we can plan, Allah Almighty is the Ultimate Planner. Our destiny may hold sweet surprises from the benefactions of Allah Almighty that are unimaginable therefore we should never lose hope and keep striving in the way of Allah Almighty.
- Released Prophet Ayyub (AS) from the long tests of endurance after losing his health, wealth and family and after he successfully remained patient and faithful to Allah Almighty.
The example of Prophet Ayyub’s (AS) life of perseverance through hardship gives us plenty of motivation to keep going in the face of adversity. We must remember that Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran that He does not burden any soul with more than it can bear.
- Granted the most formidable kingdom to Prophet Sulaiman (AS).
For some of His servants, Allah almighty gifts a lofty status on this Earth but we must remain devoted to His cause so that we can use what He gifts us in His servitude.
- Released Prophet Yunus (AS) from the belly of the whale and granted his Ummah, congregation, forgiveness.
We learn from this example that we should always remain patient and in a state of constant remembrance of Allah Almighty. We are reminded to be hopeful of Allah Almighty’s mercy and rely on Allah Almighty even when we cannot see any light at the end of the tunnel.
- Raised Prophet Isa (AS) to the Heavens.
The example of Prophet Isa (AS) teaches us to reflect on how truthful we are and to question ourselves on whether or not we speak the truth in the face of oppression and institutional persecution.
- Allowed Prophet Musa (AS) to free the Bani Israeel from the clutches of Pharaoh and safely cross the red sea that was spectacularly parted to allow for the safe passage of the believers.
Whilst those believers followed their faith, do we question how much we struggle against our inner Pharaoh that pushes us to follow our lower desires? Do we treat people around us nicely or do we also become oppressive and abusive like the egotistical Pharaoh?
All these Prophetic examples demonstrate truly testing times and the rewards that accompany those who remain patient and steadfast, and this reminder is emphasised on the important occasion of the 10th of Muharram. In addition to these important events on this key date, another extremely significant event has taken place on Aashurah: the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), 16 of his blessed family members and 72 devoted companions. Of all the events that have taken place on Aashurah, this is the most saddening, heart-breaking and notable event for Muslims.
The accursed Yazeed, and his followers, displayed the most intense cruelty towards a group of Prophetic family members and friends. The people of Kufa wrote thousands of letters inviting Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) to visit Kufa and expressed support for him and not Yazeed. Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) alongside his family and companions travelled to Kufa and were faced with murderous entrapment and betrayal by the same people who invited him. Prior to the martyrdom at Karbala (Iraq), the desert city wherein the Prophetic family were besieged and martyred, the blessed caravan had to endure starvation and being deprived of water in the blazing heat. Yazeed demanded that Hazrat Imam Hussain ((RA) give up his values and submit to a tyrant upon pain of death, but Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) demonstrated how Muslims should stand up for truthfulness, justice and stay firm to the principles of Islam even if faced with horrific threats. Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his followers offered the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of the upholding the honour of the religion of Allah Almighty, their lives.
Whilst the example and praise of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) lives on, we as Muslims should reflect and think about how we should behave towards our own family members, friends and community. Do we display cruelty and tyranny? Are we horrible to the people around us? Or do we copy the example of the Beloveds of Allah Almighty like Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and sacrifice our own comforts for the sake of others?
The entire Muslim world owes everything to the blessed family of the last and final Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) and especially Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) for without his absolute sacrifice, the values of Islam would have been lost and we would not know our religion today. Therein lies an immense lesson for the entire world. What sacrifices do the Muslims of today offer in order to stand up for truth and goodness? Do we succumb to the darkness or do we walk the path of light?
The month of Muharram is a beautiful opportunity for Muslims to gain an abundance of blessings and mercy and the 10th of the month is an especially blessed day of remembrance and transformation for the striving Muslim. It is a sunnah of holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) to fast on the 10th of Muharram, coupled with an additional fast which can either be on the 9th or 11th of Muharram. The Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) has said: ‘I hope from the mercy of Allah Almighty that the fast of Aashurah erases the sins of one year before it.’
It is a blessed opportunity to perform acts of worship such as giving charity, spending generously on one’s family, performing Nafl, additional, prayers, increased recitation of the noble Quran and other forms of Dhikr, remembrance of Allah Almighty.
Whilst we reflect on the events that took place on Aashurah and the holiness of the month of Muharram, we should think about how we do and how we should honour the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) as Muslims living in the modern world. Despite Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) having such a lofty position in the community and being subjected to such cruelty and hardship, he continued to offer his prayers and remained steadfast in his worship without ever wavering from the teachings of Allah Almighty and His Beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).
Let us all send special blessings and prayers on holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) and his Blessed Family (RA), his Blessed Companions (RA) and all the Beloveds (RA) of Allah Almighty.