Muharram: 1st Month of the Islamic Calendar Sunni References The Tenth of Muharram and Ashurah The Islamic year begins with Muharram ul Haram, the first month of the Hijri Calendar. While followers of other religions spend their opening month in worthless merriment, the first month of Islam teaches us lessons of admonition, good counselling, knowledge of Allah Ta’ala, sacrifice, selflessness, patience and seeking the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala. The tenth day of Muharram (Ashurah) has many distinctive qualities and features. Allah Ta’ala created the heavens and the earth on this blessed day. On this day He gave His infinite blessings…

Amazing Incidents after the Martyrdom of Sayydiuna Imam Hussayn Radi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu It is recorded that when this blessed head arrived before the unclean Yazeed, he began to touch it with his cane. At that moment, a Christian ambassador from Rome was also present. When he saw this, he remarked surprisingly, “In a church on one of our islands, there a hoof which is said to belong to Nabi Esa’s donkey. Every year, people come from far and wide to see this hoof and also take oaths through it. We also respect it as you people respect the Kaba.…

Mu’awiyah ibn Abu Sufyan (Radiyallahu ‘anh) relates: I heard the Messenger of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) say: “It is the day of ‘Ashura. Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) has not made fasting obligatory for you. But I am fasting. He who likes to observe fast among you should do so, and he who likes not to observe it (does not have to) observe it.” [Sahih Muslim] Abu Qatada (Radiyallahu ‘anh) relates that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said that the fast on the 10th of Muharram atones for the sins of the preceding year. [Sahih Muslim] Abu Huraira (Radiyallahu…

The Islamic Year ends with the month of Zil-Hijjah with the sacrifice of Eid al-AdHa, and the new year begins with Muharram with memories of the historical martyrdom of Sayyiduna Imam Hussain (Radi Allahu Anhu). The martyrdom of Hadrat Imam Hussain (Radi Allahu Anhu) had breathed new life into the spirit of Islam regarding the values of Imaan. This philosophy of sacrifice in Islam teaches us the great lesson which forms the basis of spirituality in Islam, and this is the sacrifice of the nafs or physical desires, and the acquisition of sabar or patience. Beginning of Islamic Calendar It…

The prominence of Imam Hasan ibn Ali and Imam Hussain ibn Ali – Allah’s pleasure be upon them all 1. It is reported that once, Imam Hasan approached the Holy Prophet – blessings and peace be upon him – and climbed on his shoulders. A person, (who was present) remarked, “O blessed son! What a nice steed you have”. In reply, the Holy Prophet declared, “And how nice a rider (too).” [Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Manaqib, Manaqib Abi Muhammad al-Hasan – Hadith no. 3809, Vol 5, Page 432]. 2. Once, when the Holy Prophet – blessings and peace be upon him…