Muharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar Hijrî Calendar. It is one of the four sanctified months about which the Holy Qur’ân says: "The number of the months according to Allah is twelve months (mentioned) in the Book of Allâh on the day in which He created heavens and the earth. Among these (twelve months) there are four sanctified." Amongst these four months is the month of Muharram.

The month of Muharram has certain other characteristics peculiar to it which are specified below.

Fasting during the Month
The Holy Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam has said: “The best fasts after the fast of Ramadan are those of the month Muharram.”

Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, yet, the one who fasts out of his own will and choice is entitled to a great reward by Allah Almighty. The Hadîth cited above signifies that the fasts of the month of Muharram are most rewarding ones among the Nafl fasts.

The Day of ‘Ashurah
Although the month of Muharram is a sanctified month as a whole, yet, the 10th day of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named 'Ashurah.'

According to the Holy companion ‘Ibn Abbâs Radiallâhu anhu the Holy Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam, when migrated to Madinah, found that the Jews of Madinah used to fast on the 10th day of Muharram. They said that it was the day on which the Holy Prophet Mûsa ‘Alayhis salâm (Moses) and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously and the Pharaoh was drowned. On hearing this, the Holy Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “We are more closely related to Mûsa than you” and directed the Muslims to fast the day of 'Ashura. (Abû Dawûd)

It is also reported in a number of traditions that in the beginning, fasting on the day of 'Ashura was obligatory for the Muslims. It was later that the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory and the fast on the day of 'Ashura was made optional.

Sayyidah Ayesha Radiallâhu anha has said: “When the Holy Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam came to Madinah, he fasted on the day of Ashura and directed the people to fast on it. But when the fasts of Ramadân were made obligatory, the obligation of fasting was confined to Ramadân and the obligatory nature of the fast of 'Ashura was abandoned. One can fast on this day if he so wishes, or can avoid fasting, if he so wills.”

However, the Holy Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam used to fast on the day of 'Ashura even after the fasting in Ramadan was made obligatory. ‘Abdullâh Ibn Masud Radiallâhu anhu reports that the Holy Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam preferred the fast of 'Ashura to the fast of other days and preferred the fast of Ramadân to the fast of 'Ashura. (Bukharî and Muslim)

According to another hadîth, it is more advisable that the fast of ‘Ashura should either be prefixed or suffixed by another fast. It means that one should fast two days: the 9th and 10th of Muharram or the tenth and 11th of it. The reason of this additional fast as mentioned by the Holy Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam is that the Jews used to fast on the day of 'Ashura alone, and the Holy Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam, wanted to distinguish the Islamic way of fasting from that of Jews. Therefore, he advised the Muslims to add another fast to that of ‘Ashura.

What is mentioned above is all that is supported through authentic sources about ‘Ashura. However, there are some legends and misconceptions with regard to ‘Ashura that have managed to find their way into the minds of the ignorant, but have no support of authentic Islamic sources, some very common of them are these:

All these and other similar whims and fancies are totally baseless and the traditions referred to in this respect are not worthy of any credit.

Some people take it as Sunnah to prepare a particular type of meal in the, day of 'Ashura. This practice, too, has no basis in the authentic Islamic sources.

Some other people attribute the sanctity of 'Ashura to the martyrdom of Sayyidina Hussain Radiallâhu anhu. No doubt, the martyrdom of Sayyidina Hussain Radiallâhu anhu is one of the most tragic episodes of our history. Yet, the sanctity of ‘Ashura cannot be ascribed to this event for the simple reason that the sanctity of 'Ashura was established during the days of the Holy Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam much earlier than the birth of Sayyidina Hussain Radiallâhu anhu.

On the contrary, it is one of the merits of Sayyidina Hussain that his martyrdom took place on the day of ‘Ashura.

Another misconception about the month of Muharram is that it is an evil or unlucky month, for Sayyidina Hussain was killed in it. It is for this misconception that people avoid holding marriage ceremonies in the month of Muharram. This is again a baseless, concept which is contrary to the teachings of the Holy Qur’ân and the Sunnah. Such superstitions have been totally negated by the Holy Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam. If the death of an eminent person in a particular day renders that day unlucky for all times to come, one can hardly find a day, free from this bad luck, out of 365 days of the whole year, because each and every day has a history of the demise of some eminent person. The Holy Qur’ân and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam have made us free from such superstitious beliefs, and they should deserve no attention.

Another wrong practice related to this month is to hold the lamentation and mourning ceremonies in the memory of martyrdom of Sayyidina Hussain Radiallâhu anhu. As mentioned earlier, the event of Karbala is one of the most tragic events of our history but the Holy Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam has forbidden holding of mourning ceremonies. The people of Jahiliyyah [Ignorance] used to mourn over their deceased relatives or friends through loud lamentations, by, tearing their clothes and by beating their cheeks and chests. The Holy Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam stopped the, Muslims from doing all this and directed them to observe patience. A number of authentic: ahâdith are available on the subject. To quote only one of them: “He is not from our group who slaps his cheeks, tears his clothes and cries in the manner of the people of Jahiliyyah.”

All the authentic jurists are, unanimous, on the point that the mourning of this type is absolutely impermissible. Even Sayyidina Hussain Radiallâhu anhu shortly before his demise had advised his beloved sister Sayyidina Zainab Radiallâhu anha not to mourn over his death in this manner. He said: "My dear sister, I swear upon you that you, in case I die, shall not tear your clothes, nor scratch your face; nor curse anyone for me or pray for your death.”

It is evident from this advice of Sayyidina Hussain Radiallâhu anhu that this type of mourning is condemned even by the blessed person for the memory of whom these mourning ceremonies are held. Every Muslim should avoid this practice and abide by the teachings of the Holy Prophet Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam and his beloved grand child Sayyidina Hussain Radiallâhu anhu.