Muharram is the glorious month of blessings and the first month of the Islamic calendar. Just as the devout Muslim eagerly awaits any chance to earn good deeds and gain Allah's good pleasure, and is careful not to transgress any boundaries, we should prepare ourselves for the coming of the month of Muharram. This is because Muharram is one of the four months sacred in the eyes of Allah. “Verily, the number of months with Allah is 12 (in a year): It was so ordained, by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four are sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein…” [al-Tawbah 9:36] These four months, according to the Prophet (pbuh) are Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. (Bukhari). The significance of Muharram can be best understood by the saying of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) narrated by Abu Huraira (May Allah be pleased with him): “The most excellent fast after Ramadan is in Allah's month; Al-Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night.” [Muslim 6: 2661] Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) called Muharram “Allah's Month” which shows its importance and sanctity and the fasts of the month of Muharram are the most rewarding ones among the Nafl (voluntary) fasts. It is the very month for which the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was asked by a questioner “O Allah's beloved, after the month of Ramadan, fasting of which month is liked by Allah? Are more high in virtue and greatness.” Then the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “The month that you call Muharram. Allah likes the fasting in this month the most after Ramadan.” – Bukhari Furthermore fasting on the day of Ashura expiates the sins of the previous year as told by our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh): “Abu Qatada Al-Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was asked about his fasting… He was asked about fasting on the day of ‘Ashura (10th of Muharram), whereupon he said: It expiates the sins of the preceding year…” – Muslim The entire month of Muharram is sacred and special and fasting on any day of Muharram has special rewards from Allah, but the 10th of Muharram, called Ashura holds a more significant position than the rest of the days. Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) and his people the Bani Israel were saved from the Pharaoh by the miracle of the parting of the sea on the day of Ashura. It was for this reason that the Jews used to fast on this day. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) also then ordered the Muslims to fast on the day of Ashura as well. Ibn e Abbas narrated: “When the Prophet came to Madina, he found (the Jews) fasting on the day of ‘Ashura' (i.e. 10th of Muharram). They used to say: “This is a great day on which Allah saved Moses and drowned the folk of Pharaoh. Moses observed the fast on this day, as a sign of gratitude to Allah.” The Prophet said, “I am closer to Moses than they.” So, he observed the fast (on that day) and ordered the Muslims to fast on it. – Bukhari However, the Prophet Commanded to distinguish the Muslim fast of Ashura with the fast of the Jews. Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: “When the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) fasted on the day of Ashura and commanded that it should be observed as a fast, they (his Companions) said to him: ‘Messenger of Allah, it is a day which the Jews and Christians hold in high esteem.' Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: ‘When the next year comes, Allah willing, we would observe fast on the 9th. But the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) died before the advent of the next year.” – Musim Abdullah ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) also reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) had said: “If I live till the next (year), I would definitely observe fast on the 9th.” – Muslim Hence, one should combine another day with the fast of Ashura and fast on either the 9th and 10th of Muharram or 10th and 11th to distinguish the Muslim way of fasting from that of the Jews. __
