Muharram is one of the sanctified months in the Islamic calendar. The Hadith describes it as Shahrullah (the month of Allah). This blessed month holds a day that counts as one of the most virtuous days in the Islamic Calendar. That day is the 10th day of Muharram, the Day of Aashura.
The authentic Ahadith make mention of two historical events that took place on this day; the Ark of Nuh (Alayhis Salaam) berthing on Mount Judi after the Flood, and the parting of the sea for Moosa (Alayhis Salaam) leading to the salvation of the Banu Israeel and the destruction of Firaun.
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam upon migrating to Madina found the Jews fasting on this day in thanks to Allah for the salvation of Moosa and his people. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam remarked, “We are closer to Moosa than you.” Thus Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah Radhiyallahu Anhum fasted on this day as well. Thus the virtue of Aashura was established from the time of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam.
Fast forward to the 10th of Muharram, 61 years after the Hijrah, and Hazrat Husain Radhiyallahu Anhu the grandson of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam is standing with his family on the plains of Karbala facing his enemies after being deserted by the Kufans who had pledged their unwavering support and allegiance to him. What happened later was a tragedy that still pains our heart to this day, that the very grandson of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam was martyred by people who professed Imaan.
Fast forward to present day and we have people who consider the month of Muharram to be a month of mourning due to the tragedy of Karbala. In their rituals of grief and mourning, they march in the streets crying and lamenting, beating their chests and cutting their bodies to the chant of Yaa Husain!, Yaa Husain!
Every action that a Muslim does is guided by the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah. These are the primary sources of Islamic Law and the criterion of judging right from wrong. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam experienced many losses and tragedies in his life. In fact Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam has stated, “No one has been tested with hardship to the extent that I was tested.”
He Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam lost many and dear ones, some on the battlefield like the Leader of the Martyrs, his uncle Hazrat Hamza Radhiyallahu Anhu and some in his very lap, like his son Hazrat Ebrahim Radhiyallahu Anhu. Yet RasulullahSallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam never held mourning ceremonies nor did he teach the Sahaabah Radhiyallahu Anhum the same. Rather, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam cautioned us, “That person is not from us who beats his face, tears his clothes and cries and laments as was the custom in the period of ignorance.” (Bukhari)
Holding mourning ceremonies for the martyred heroes of Islam is not only illogical but it stems from a lack of Islamic knowledge. Firstly, because there is no day in the Islamic Calendar wherein a pious and accepted slave of Allah had not given his life for Allah. If we were to mourn them, then every day of our lives would be in mourning. Secondly, because in our human emotion we feel the pain of their loss but for the martyrs, they have achieved the victory of martyrdom, a victory they aspired for and made Dua for throughout their lives.
Allah Ta'ala says, “Do not suppose that those killed in the Way of Allah are dead. No indeed! They are alive and well provided for in the very presence of their Lord. Delighting in the favour Allah has bestowed upon them and rejoicing over those they left behind. Feeling no fear and knowing no sorrow, rejoicing in the blessing and favours from Allah.” (Quran Surah 3, Verses 169-171)
A Muslim is not guided by feelings and emotions. A Muslim is guided by the life and Sunnah of RasulullahSallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam.
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians
223 Alpine Road, Overport, Durban
Tel : +27 (0) 31 2077099
Fax : +27(0) 31 2074163
Website : www.jamiat.org.za
The authentic Ahadith make mention of two historical events that took place on this day; the Ark of Nuh (Alayhis Salaam) berthing on Mount Judi after the Flood, and the parting of the sea for Moosa (Alayhis Salaam) leading to the salvation of the Banu Israeel and the destruction of Firaun.
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam upon migrating to Madina found the Jews fasting on this day in thanks to Allah for the salvation of Moosa and his people. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam remarked, “We are closer to Moosa than you.” Thus Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam and the Sahaabah Radhiyallahu Anhum fasted on this day as well. Thus the virtue of Aashura was established from the time of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam.
Fast forward to the 10th of Muharram, 61 years after the Hijrah, and Hazrat Husain Radhiyallahu Anhu the grandson of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam is standing with his family on the plains of Karbala facing his enemies after being deserted by the Kufans who had pledged their unwavering support and allegiance to him. What happened later was a tragedy that still pains our heart to this day, that the very grandson of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam was martyred by people who professed Imaan.
Fast forward to present day and we have people who consider the month of Muharram to be a month of mourning due to the tragedy of Karbala. In their rituals of grief and mourning, they march in the streets crying and lamenting, beating their chests and cutting their bodies to the chant of Yaa Husain!, Yaa Husain!
Every action that a Muslim does is guided by the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah. These are the primary sources of Islamic Law and the criterion of judging right from wrong. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam experienced many losses and tragedies in his life. In fact Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam has stated, “No one has been tested with hardship to the extent that I was tested.”
He Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam lost many and dear ones, some on the battlefield like the Leader of the Martyrs, his uncle Hazrat Hamza Radhiyallahu Anhu and some in his very lap, like his son Hazrat Ebrahim Radhiyallahu Anhu. Yet RasulullahSallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam never held mourning ceremonies nor did he teach the Sahaabah Radhiyallahu Anhum the same. Rather, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam cautioned us, “That person is not from us who beats his face, tears his clothes and cries and laments as was the custom in the period of ignorance.” (Bukhari)
Holding mourning ceremonies for the martyred heroes of Islam is not only illogical but it stems from a lack of Islamic knowledge. Firstly, because there is no day in the Islamic Calendar wherein a pious and accepted slave of Allah had not given his life for Allah. If we were to mourn them, then every day of our lives would be in mourning. Secondly, because in our human emotion we feel the pain of their loss but for the martyrs, they have achieved the victory of martyrdom, a victory they aspired for and made Dua for throughout their lives.
Allah Ta'ala says, “Do not suppose that those killed in the Way of Allah are dead. No indeed! They are alive and well provided for in the very presence of their Lord. Delighting in the favour Allah has bestowed upon them and rejoicing over those they left behind. Feeling no fear and knowing no sorrow, rejoicing in the blessing and favours from Allah.” (Quran Surah 3, Verses 169-171)
A Muslim is not guided by feelings and emotions. A Muslim is guided by the life and Sunnah of RasulullahSallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam.
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians
223 Alpine Road, Overport, Durban
Tel : +27 (0) 31 2077099
Fax : +27(0) 31 2074163
Website : www.jamiat.org.za
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