It’s the month Muharram 1441, Alhamdulillah.

The beginning of a New Islamic Year for us.

As I write this, it is the evening of the 6th of Muharram.

Just over halfway to the day of Aashurah.

What is the day of Aashurah, and why is it important?

Here are a few points on why Aashurah is important and significant to us, as Muslims;

• The day of Aashurah is the 10th of Muharram.

• In the Holy Qur’aan, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’aala mentions 4 sacred months (Surah At – Tawba, Verse 36) , and in the Hadeeth, Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam has mentioned:

“The year is Twelve Months, of which four are Sacred. The three consecutive months of Dhul – Qa’dah, Dhul – Hijjah, and Muharram, and Rajab, which comes between Jamadil – Aakhir and Sha’baan.”

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

• Hazrat Adam Alayhis Salaam’s repentance was accepted by Allah, on this day, after he had eaten from the forbidden tree and was expelled to earth.

• Nooh Alayhis Salaam’s Arc came to rest on Mount Judi in Iraq, on this day.

• Moosa Alayhis Salaam and his people were saved on this day, from Firown (Pharaoh), when Allah SWT granted him the miracle of parting the Red Sea, by striking his staff against the sea. Firown and his army were drowned in the sea when they followed Moosa (AS).

• The Prophet SAW recommended to his followers to fast on this day, as Hazrat Ibn Abbas Radiyallahu Anhu ( May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said:

The Prophet Sallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam came to Madinah and saw the Jews fasting on the Day of Aashurah. He said, “What is this?’ They said, “This is a righteous day, it is the day when Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemies, so Moosa (AS) fasted on this day.” He said, “We have more right to Moosa than you,” so he fasted on that day and commanded (the Muslims) to fast on that day.

Sahih Al Bukhari

• Fasting on this day is also a means of having our minor sins forgiven. Tawbah (repentance) will be required major sins.
  • The Prophet SAW has said, “Fasting the day of Arafah, I hope Allah will expiate thereby for the year before it and the year after it, and fasting the day of Aashurah, I hope Allah will expiate thereby for the year that came before it.” ( Sahih Muslim)
• In order to differentiate ourselves (Muslims) from the Jews, the Prophet SAW said that we should also fast the day before Aashurah, the 9th of Muharram, or the day after Aashurah, the 11th of Muharram, as the Jews only fasted on the day of Aashurah.

• The day of A’ashurah is also a day on which we should spend on our families. There are great blessings to be attained throughout the year for the one who spends generously on his family.

The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam is reported to have said that: “One who generously spends on his family on Aashurah, 10th of Muharram), Allah SWT will be generous on/to him for the entire year.”

(Al Bayhaqi).

To this end, for many women, the next few days will be days of deadlines, ordering or finalizing orders for the decor, theme, food, desserts, & gifts for the day of Aashurah.

I wish you and you family both Muharram and Aashurah Mubarak. May we all be blessed abundantly by Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’aala, in the coming year, Aameen.