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The first month in Islam and its Importance

The month of Muharram is among the first twelve months in the Islamic calendar. The title "Muharram" is coming from the word "haram," that signifies inadmissible or prohibited, as it is forbidden to battle or wage war throughout this month. This applied to the inhabitants of Makkah and the nearby tribes since before the arrival of Islam. Muharram, one of the four holy months in the Islamic lunar calendar, is also known as "sacred" and is a blessed month that has been addressed by God Almighty, Allah, with in Qur'an. Allah says in the following verse of Holy Quran, in Surah Tawbah:

“Surely, the number of months according to Allah is twelve (as written) in the Book of Allah on the day He created the heavens and the Earth, of which there are Four Sacred Months. That is the right faith. So, do not wrong yourself therein. And fight the Mushriks altogether, as they fight you all together, and be sure that Allah is with the God-fearing [9:36].

The above-mentioned verse is referring to four holy months in Islamic religion. Among these four verses

In this verse, Allah mentions the four most sacred months of the year, the first one is Muharram, , then there come 7th month which is Rajab, then 11th Dhul Qadah and the last one is Dhul Hijjah which is 12th month. The Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) has stated in a hadith narrated by Abu Bakrah, where he said,

“… The year is twelve months, of which four are sacred: three consecutive months, Dhul Qadah, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab of Mudar which comes between Jumada and Shabaan.” [Bukhari]

Importance of Fasting in the Month of Ramadan

Fasting is strongly advised on one specific day throughout the month of Muharram, it is the day called Ashura. The 10th of Muharram falls on the same day as Ashura. Fast on the Day of Ashura seems to have been a common custom even before Islam was founded, according to a number of reliable reports in the books of hadith.

Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet (P.B.U.H) came to Madinah and saw the Jews fasting on the Day of Ashura.

“Allah’s Messenger (P.B.U.H) ordered (the Muslims) to fast on the day of ‘Ashura, and fasting in the month of Ramadan. However, it is optional for one to fast on that day (Ashura) [Sahih Al Bukhari 1892]”.

The aforementioned hadith emphasises two points: 1st, that Muharram is Islam's month, and next, that keeping a fast throughout Muharram is 2nd only to keeping a fast-during Ramadan. Hence, Muharram is the month that Muslims must remain fasting in if they identify themselves as true Muslim and want to experience the calm and tranquility of doing well outside of the month of Ramadan. May Almighty Allah grant us the guidance and fortitude we need to begin the Islamic year in the genuine spirit of Islam and surround us with His innumerable benefits. Ameen!

At another place, Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) has stated that “I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of Arafa may atone for the sins of the preceding and the coming years, and I seek from Allah that fasting on the Day of Ashura may atone for the sins of the preceding year.” [Sahih Muslim].

When questioned about the benefit of fasting on Ashura, he made it plain in yet another hadith in Sahih Muslim that this is a repentance for the sins of the preceding year. Numerous more narratives praise the advantages of the day of Ashura and the entire month of Muharram.

Significance of Ashura for Muslims

The term "Ashura," which occurs on the tenth day of the Islamic month of Muharram, literally means "tenth." The Islamic calendar's first month, Muharram, begins when the new moon is sighted. The Day of Ashura has enormous historical importance for Muslims worldwide including in Islam. On the Day of Ashura, various things have happened throughout Islamic history.

Since the earliest Muslim community, Muslims have observed Ashura as a day of fasting. It commemorates two historical occurrences: the day Noah left the Ark and the day Allah freed Moses from the Egyptians. Muslims value the Day of Ashura for a variety of reasons. The day that Allah rescued our Prophets from their sufferings on a day of thanksgiving. After the test of having faith in Allah, it is a day of pleasure. On this day, Hazrat Musa (A.S) has said:

Moses reassured ˹them˺, “Absolutely not! My Lord is certainly with me—He will guide me” [26: 62].

The fortunate month of Muharram must be utilized by Muslims to deepen their ibaadah via fasting, frequent remembrance of Allah, prayer, and charitable giving. The Prophet said, “The best fasting after Ramadan is the month of Allah, Muharram, and the best prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night.” [Sahih Muslim]

We are urged to enhance worship, notably fasting, throughout the month of Muharram. The single thing we do that maintains our perpetual state of worship is fasting from dawn to dusk. At the absolute least, one must make an effort to observe the Prophet (P.B.U.H), and his followers' custom of fasting on the Day of Ashura. Muslims are urged to welcome the first month of the Islamic calendar by carrying out good actions and therefore pave the way for a productive year, Insha’Allah.