Venerating the Month of Allaah

“O’ people! Fear Allaah, the Most High, and venerate your month, i.e. Muharram, with the obedience of your Lord because Allaah has honored it and made it virtuous. The Prophet, may peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The BEST fast after Ramadhan is the month of Allaah, Muharram.”

[Muslim]

It is one of the four sacred months wherein acts of obedience and abandoning sins are highly emphasized. Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى says:

مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ذَلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ فَلاَ تَظْلِمُواْ فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ

“…of them four are sacred (Muharram, Rajab, Dhul-Qi’dah, Dhul-Hijjah). That is the right religion, so wrong yourselves not therein.”

[At-Tawbah 9:36]

On the authority of Abi Hurairah رضي اللّه عنـه said: “When the Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم  arrived in Al-Medina he found that the Jews would fast the tenth of Muharram. So he صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم said: “What is this?” They said: “This is a GREAT day. Allaah saved Moosaa عليه السلام and the Children of Israel in it and Moosaa would fast it (so this is why we fast it).”

The Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم said:

“We have more right to Moosaa than you do.” So he fasted it and ordered the people to do the same.

[Bukhaari & Muslim]

And he صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم said:

“Fasting the tenth of Muharram expiates the (minor) sins of the previous year.”

[Muslim]

So fast the ninth and tenth of Muharram, may Allaah have mercy upon you all, so that your (minor) sins (of the last year) can be expiated and follow the guidance of your Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم. And whoever has difficulty fasting and Allaah knows that if it wasn’t for this reason he would fast, then let him rejoice with receiving the reward from The King, All-Knowing, especially if he regularly would fast these days, i.e. the ninth and tenth of Muharram each year.

Because the Messenger صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم said:

“Whoever becomes sick or travels will have the reward of that which he does while he is healthy and present."

[Bukhaari]

On the tenth of Muharram, Allaah saved Moosaa عليه السلام, and his people from Fir’aun and his army. Moosaa عليه السلام invited him to the worship of his Lord however he was arrogant and refused saying:

فَقَالَ أَنَا رَبُّكُمُ الْأَعْلَى
Saying: "I am your lord, most high.."

(An-Nazi'at 79:24)

Thereafter, he persecuted the Children of Israel for many years and so Moosaa left with his people traveling by the command of Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى. When Fir’aun awakened and found that they had left his land he became enraged and gathered all of the people to go get them and they caught up to them at sunrise.

When the two groups saw each other, Moosaa’s group said: “Verily we are caught!” Because there was nowhere for them to go due to the sea being in front of them and Fir’aun and his army behind them. However Moosaa responded having absolute belief and certainty in Allaah saying: “Nay! Indeed my Lord is with me and will guide me.”

When they reached the Red Sea, Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى commanded Moosaa to strike it with his staff and behold it spilt into twelve dry pathways and the water on the sides resembled mountains. And thus Moosaa and his people passed through not fearing being captured nor drowning. When they reached the other side, Fir’aun and his army entered the sea and tried to pass through but Allaah revealed to the sea to return to its natural state and they were all drowned.

[Ash-Shura'a 26:58-67]

My brothers! Look at how Allaah aids those who aid Him and follow his guidance. That aid wasn’t due to their numbers or dwelling places, rather Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى has promised;

وَكَانَ حَقًّا عَلَيْنَا نَصْرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

“…and as for the believers it is incumbent upon Us to help them.”

[Ar--Rum 30:47]

{Source: Ad-Diyaa’ al-Laami’ min al-Khutub al-Jawaami’ (Vol.6, pg.400-402) by Sheikh al-‘Uthaimeen رحمه الله.}