Fasting in Muharram

Bismillah.

The sacred month of Muharram is now upon us, and a new year has begun alhamdulillah. InshaAllah I wanted to remind you all and myself of the great sunnan this month has for us:

Rasulllah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “The best of fasting after Ramadaan is the month of Allah, Muharram, and the best of prayer after the obligatory prayers is prayer at night (qiyaam al-layl).” [Saheeh Muslim, #1163]

This month contains the day of Ashoora, which, like the day of Arafah, expiates the past years sins. The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “Fast the day of ‘Arafah, and I hope Allah will expiate thereby for the year before it and the year after it. And fast the day of Ashoora, and I hope Allah will expiate thereby for the year that came before it.” [Saheeh Muslim, #1162]

For more information about fasting in Muharram and Ashoora, visit this IslamQA question.

We are also recommended to fast the day before Ashoora (which is the 10th of Muharram), the day known as Tasoo’a (the 9th of Muharram).

Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (رضالله عنه) said: When the Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) fasted on the day of ‘Ashoora and told the people to fast, they said, “O Messenger of Allah, this is a day that is venerated by the Jews and Christians.” The Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said, “Next year, if Allah wills, we will fast on the ninth day.” But by the time the following year came, the Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) had passed away. [Saheeh Muslim, #1916]

The scholars state many additional reasons why we should fast the 9th; for more information, click here.

In these sacred months, sinning should be controlled, because sinning in these months is greater than sinning in the other months; because Allah says:

Translation: O you who believe! Do not violate the sanctity of the symbols of Allah, nor of the sacred month. [Surah Maida, verse 2]

(Two things Allah prohibited in this month, because of their sanctity, is to fight in battles, and sinning.)

And, the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “The division of time has returned as it was when Allah created the Heavens and the earth. The year is twelve months, four of which are sacred: Three are in succession, (they are:) Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram; and (the fourth is) Rajab of (the tribe of) Mudar, which comes between Jumada (Ath-Thaniyah) and Sha’ban.” [Saheeh Bukhari]

May Allah accept all of our fasting and ibadaat, ameen!