The Month of Muharram

بسم الله والحمد لله, والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

The first month of the Islamic year 1433 has arrived. Indeed, month of Muharram is one that has virtues in it. This is explained below.

Muharram -- One of the Four Sacred Months of Allâh

Allâh (سبحانه وتعالى) says in the Qur'ân:

"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." (TMQ at-Tawbah 9:36)

It was narrated from Abî Bakrah (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allâh (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: "Time has come back to its original state which it had on the day Allah created the Heavens and the Earth. The year is twelve months, four of which are sacred, three of them are in succession, namely Dhu-l-Qa`dah, Dhu-l-Hijjah and Muharram, [the fourth being the] Rajab of [the tribe of] Mudar which is between Jumadâ [ath-Thâni] and Sha`bân. (Narrated by al-Bukhâri (7/458) and Muslim (4160))

Allâh’s (سبحانه وتعالى) words (interpretation of the meaning): “do not wrong yourselves during them…” mean do not wrong yourselves by sinning in these sacred months, because sin in these months is worse than in other months. It was reported that Ibn `Abbâs said that this phrase (do not wrong yourselves during them…) referred to all the months, then these four were singled out and made sacred, so that sin in these months is more serious and good deeds bring a greater reward.

Qatâdah (رضي الله عنه) said about Allâh's (سبحانه وتعالى) Statement “do not wrong yourselves during them…”: "Injustice during the Sacred Months is worse and graver than injustice in other months. Verily, injustice is always wrong, but Allah makes things graver than others as He will.''
He also said, "Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) has chosen some of His creation above others. He chose Messengers from angels and from men. He also chose His Speech above all speech, the Masâjid above other areas of the earth, Ramadan and the Sacred Months above all months, Friday above the other days and Laylatu-l-Qadr (The Night of Decree) above all nights. Therefore, sanctify what Allah has sanctified, for doing so is the practice of people of understanding and comprehension.'' (See Tafsîr Ibn Kathîr: Tafsîr of Surah at-Tawbah, âyah 36).

Fasting the Month of Muharram

During the month of Muharram, the Muslim is encouraged to fast as many days as he can. This is proven by the Hadîth reported by Abû Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: "The most excellent fast after Ramadân is Allâh's (سبحانه وتعالى) month, al-Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night." (Narrated by Muslim, 2611)

The fact that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) called Muharram the month of Allâh further elevates the status of this month.

However, it was proven that the only month the Messenger of Allâh (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to fast in its entirety was Ramadân, so this hadîth is probably meant to encourage the Muslim to fast more in Muharram.

Also, it was proven that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to fast the most in the month of Sha`bân [apart from Ramadân], as can be seen from what `Â'ishah (رضي الله عنها) said: "I never saw Allah's Apostle fasting for a whole month except the month of Ramadan, and did not see him fasting in any month more than in the month of Sha`ban." (Narrated by al-Bukhâri, 3/190)

It is likely that the virtue of Muharram was not revealed to him until the end of his life, before he was able to fast during this month. (See Sharh Sahîh Muslim by Imâm an-Nawawi).

`Âshûrâ'

[Click here to read about the day of `Âshûrâ']

Warfare in Muharram

To initiate warfare is forbidden in all four sacred months, which includes Muharram.

Allâh (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

"They ask you concerning fighting in the Sacred Months (i.e. 1st, 7th, 11th and 12th months of the Islamic calendar). Say, "Fighting therein is a great (transgression)..."(TMQ al-Baqarah 2:217)

والله أعلم و أحكم