The day of Ashura | Ashura is memorable for that reason.
 |
| Ashura |
The four months that Allah Ta'ala has honored in the year of Hijri are Zilqad, Zilhaj, Muharram and Safar. Among these four months, Muharram is one of the most virtuous and blessed months.
It is stated in the Holy Qur'an, "Surely the months of reckoning with Allah are twelve." (Muharram, Safar, Rabiul Awal, Rabi'us Sani, Jamadiul Awal, Jamadius Sani, Rajab, Sha'ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Zilqad and Zilhaj) from the day He created the heavens and the earth, four months are specially honored. (Surah Tawba, verse 36)
The 12 months are Muharram, Safar, Rabiul Awal, Rabi'us Sani, Jamadiul Awal, Jamadius Sani, Rajab, Sha'ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Zulqad and Zilhaj. And the four Haram or respected months are Muharram, Rajab, Zilqad and Zilhaj. (Tafseer Baghawi Volume 4, Page No:44)
Many memorable and revolutionary events in the world, including the creation of the heavens and the earth, took place on the 10th of this month, the holy day of Ashura.
Among the historically memorable events that took place on the tenth day of Muharram i.e. the day of Ashura are-
1. Sky, land, mountains are the creation of everything. 2. Creation of Adam (A.S.). 3. Noah (A.S.) Landing on Judi Hill after the Great Flood. 4. Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S.) Deliverance from the Burning Fire of Nimrud. 5. After 18 long years of illness, Hazrat Ayyub (A.S.) got rid of incurable disease etc.
Also, a particularly memorable event on this day is the bloody event of historical Karbala. That is, on 10 Muharram, in the Karbala desert on the banks of the Euphrates river, Hazrat Hossain (R.A.), the son-in-law of the world prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), was martyred while struggling against injustice and untruth in order to win the religion of God on the land of God.
But apart from this event, this day is very important in Islam and from pre-Islamic times. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to fast on this day and one day before it and he encouraged others to fast. (Sahih Muslim: 2520)
Ibn Abbas (R.A.) said, when Rasulullah (S.A.W.) arrived in Madinah after emigrating from Makkah, he saw the Jews of Madinah fasting on the day of Ashura.
When they were asked the reason for fasting, they said, this day is very important to us. Because on this day, Allah Ta'ala freed Musa (a.s.) and his people Bani Israel from the grip of Pharaoh and gave victory over him.
And as thanks to him, Musa (a.s.) fasted on this day. So we also fast on this day.
Then Rasool (pbuh) said, I am more entitled than you in relation to Musa (pbuh). Then he himself fasted and ordered the Companions to fast as well. (Muslim: 2653)
However, Jews fast for one day on the occasion of Ashura. In order not to make their fast similar to that of the Muslims, Muslims will observe the fast of Ashura by adding one more fast on the 9th or 11th, making a total of two fasts.
COMMENTS