First Words
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
I apologize for the delay in publishing this shortened version of ZamZam due to some unavoidable circumstances.
As we know Islamic calendar begins with the historic Hijrah (Migration) of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم from Makkah to Madinah. It will be 1430 years to that journey in a few days when we begin the year 1431 Hijrah on the first of
Muharram. That seemingly small journey of about 3oo kilometers changed the world forever.
Now a days Muslims send new year greetings to fellow Muslims, ignoring that Muslims do not have any tradition of celebrating new years.
Many of us associate the significance of Muharram only with the terrible tragedy at Karbala where Husayn رضي الله عنه the beloved grandson of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم (from his youngest daughter Fatimah رضى الله عنها and 'Ali bin Abu Talib رضي الله عنه ) was brutally martyred with his entire family at Karbala. Perpetrator of this heinous crime was the army of Yazid bin Mu'awiyah - who was trying to silence the voice of Truth to save his unjust dynastic rule. This tragedy had taken place in the year 61 Hijrah, exactly 50 years after the demise of the last Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم .
An ignorant group amongst us still mourn this great tragedy with extreme displays of beating chests, hitting self with chains and sharp objects, tearing off clothes, crying, putting dust in hair etc. These were the pre-Islamic traditions of mourning during the days of Jahiliyah (Ignorance).
Only the widow of the deceased had to go through an ‘Iddah (Waiting Period) as prescribed by Allah (God). The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم forbade all those practices and disallowed mourning for more than three days, that too by close relatives.
Narrated Um-'Atiyah رضى الله عنها : We were forbidden to mourn for a dead person for more than three days except in the case of a husband for whom mourning was allowed for four months and ten days. (During that time) we were not allowed to put kohl (Antimony eye power) in our eyes or to use perfumes or to put on colored clothes except a dress made of 'Asb (a kind of Yemen cloth, very coarse and rough). We were allowed very light perfumes at the time of taking a bath after menses and also we were forbidden to go with the funeral procession.
Bukhari, Book 6, Hadith 310 |
Another ignorant group of Muslims celebrate ‘Ashura (Tenth day of Muharram) like an ‘Id (Festival) by turning the day into a carnival. They take out processions with replicas of the tomb of Husayn رضي الله عنه , distribute sweet drinks and special preparations made of grains etc.
All such practices are un-Islamic as it is incumbent upon every Muslim to follow the guidance provided only by the Qur-an and the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم .
Many Muslims also erroneously associate the fasting on the 10th of Muharram with the great tragedy at Karbala. This is also grossly incorrect. We must understand that all religious acts are carried out only for Allah (God) and no one else.
Fasting on ‘Ashura (Tenth day of Muharram) began as a single fast on that day, but during the last year of his life, and the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم made his intentions public to fast on two consecutive day either on the 9th and 10th or the 10th and 11th of Muharram.
We should try our best to observe these two Nafl (Extra Obligatory) fasts on these two sets of days as the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم was very keen to do so.
Praying to Allah (God) for keeping us to the Right Path.
Suhel Farooq Khan
contact@zamzam-magazine.com
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