Things that you should know about Muharam

Muharram is the first month of the islamic calendar . It is one of the four sacred months of the year in which fighting is prohibited. Muharram is one of four months that have been designated as holy according to the Islamic calendar, the other three being - Dhul-Qa'adah, Dhul-Hijjah and Rajab. The tenth day of Muharram is called Yaumu-l 'Ashurah

Fasting in the month of Muharram

The Prophet  have said: "The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are those of the month of Muharram." Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, yet one who fasts in these days out of his own will is entitled to a great reward by Allah Almighty. Fasting on the tenth day of Muharram, called Ashura, is particularly important, as it supposed to lead to great rewards. A person does not have to fast for the whole month. On the contrary, each fast during this month has merit.

Sunni Muslims  fast during Muharram for the first 10 days of Muharram, just the tenth day or on both the ninth and tenth days; the exact term depending on the individual.

  

Here are some activities that are recommended for the day of Ashurah:

1. To observe fast on this day.
2. To give as much charity as you can afford. 
3. To perform Nafl Salat prayers. 
4. To recite Surah Ikhlas 1000 times. 
5. To visit and be in the company of pious Ulema. 
6. To place a hand of affection on an orphan's head. 
7. To give generously to one's relatives. 
8. To put surma in one's eyes. 
9. To take a bath. 
10. To cut one's nails. 
11. To visit the sick. 
12. To establish friendly ties with one's enemies. 
13. To recite Dua-e- Ashurah
14. To visit the shrines of Awliyas and the graves of Muslims.   

Events associated with the month of Muharram

The month of Muharram is also associated with many auspicious events in Islamic history. Allah  have created the heavens and the earth on this blessed day.  
On this day He give His infinite blessings and bounties to many of His Prophets and delivered them from the clutches of their enemies. 

Allah created Hazrat Adam in this month and pardoned him of his mistake.

Hazrat Noah's Ark landed successfully on Mount Judi during this time centuries ago. 

 Hazrat Ibrahim was saved from fire.

 Hazrat Musa was rescued from from the Pharaoh during the month of Muharram.

The tenth day of Muharram or Ashura is of supreme importance as imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad died.

Death of imam hussain  

In the month of Muharram many centuries ago, (approximately October 20th 680 A.D.), an event took place in Iraq at a place known as Kerbala on the bank of the river Euphrates. 

A large army, which had been mobilised by the Umayyad regime, besieged a group of persons numbering less than a hundred and put them under pressure to pay allegiance to the Caliph of the time and submit to his authority. The Caliph was a man much taken with earthly pleasures that deviated from the Islamic way of life. The small group resisted and a severe battle took placein which they were all killed. The leader of the small band of men who were martyred in Kerbala was none other than Imam Husain, the grandson of the Holy Prophet. 

Imam Husain's martyrdom at Kerbala represents a conscious confrontation with anti-Islamic forces and a courageous resistance for a sacred cause. The tragedy was that the one who stood up to defend Islam was cut down in so cruel a manner. It is for this reason that the death of Imam Husain is mourned annually. 
 

To all muslims:

Please do not let this opportunity go in vain. it's a month of great reward. Do maximum ibaadat, go to magalis, fast and do not fight. As we are all aware, its December. many people including  muslims tend to enjoy this month by buying fire crackers,..etc. All these enjoyments are not meant for us, muslims. Do enjoy, yeah but in ibaadats and praying. thats the greatest enjoyments of muslims. it is to be noted that Sunni muslims are forbidden to take part in  'goon'.