What Are the Sacred Months?
The scholars agreed that the blessed sacred months in Islam are Dhul-Qi’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, and Muharram. They are consecutive, while Rajab occurs separately from the other three months. Allah said in the Holy Quran, in Surah Al-Tawbah, Ayah 36: “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.” (إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ)
Allah Almighty called these months sacred and prohibited fighting and the shedding of blood during them. Upon understanding this Ayah, we see that Allah commands us to be more careful about committing sins during these four months. During these four months, when the believer does good deeds, he will be rewarded more abundantly.
Ibn Abbas (ra) said: “In all (twelve) months, Allah then chose four out of these months and made them sacred, emphasising their sanctity, making sinning in them greater, in addition to multiplying the rewards of righteous deeds during them.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
The Significance of Muharram
The Islamic Hijri year starts with the month of Muharram. It was narrated by Sayyidna Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “The most excellent fast after Ramadan is Allah’s month, al-Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after the prescribed prayer is the prayer during the night.” Sahih (Al-Albani). That is why Muslims should try to do better in this month, especially by fasting, as recommended by the Prophet Muhammad. People do not pay enough attention to the blessings of this month, and when they do, it is not as much as they do during the month of Ramadan or the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. However, it was narrated from the Salaf that they used to honour the first ten days of Muharram.
The believer who seeks Allah’s Forgiveness should strive to do more good deeds in this month, such as fasting, performing night prayers (Qiyamu-l-lil), giving Sadaqah to the needy, and giving more gifts and presents to the family. In addition, we have a blessed day in this month, which is Ashura, the 10th of Muharram.
What Is Ashura?
It is a significant day for Muslims around the world, as they commemorate the day when Allah (SWT) freed Prophet Musa (AS) and the Children of Israel from Pharaoh. Sayyidna Ibn Abbas (RA) narrated: “When the Prophet ﷺ arrived in Madinah, the Jews were observing the fast on Ashura, and they said, ‘This is the day when Moses became victorious over Pharaoh.’ On that, the Prophet ﷺ said to his companions, ‘You (Muslims) have more right to celebrate Moses’ victory than they have, so observe the fast on this day.’” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
Fasting the Day of Ashura
The Prophet Muhammad recommended fasting on the day of Ashura, the 10th of Muharram. Sayyidna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: “I never saw Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) so keen to fast any day and give it priority over any other than this day, the day of Ashura, and this month, meaning Ramadan.” (Al-Bukhari).
In another hadith, we are told that fasting the day of Ashura expiates the sins of the previous year, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Fasting the day of Ashura is of great merit. I hope that Allah will accept it as an expiation for the sins committed in the previous year.” (Muslim).
May Allah make us among those who follow the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad and guide us to the straight path.
