The Importance of 'Ashoora'

Ashoora, or the 10th of Muharram, is this coming Saturday in some parts of the world and Sunday in others. It is the Sunnah of our Prophet to fast on this day.

Ibn Abbas (RA) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) observed Fasting on the day of Ashoora and commanded us to fast on this day.

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

In another Hadith, it is stated that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) emigrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah, he saw that the Jews were fasting on this day. He asked them why they did this on that day, and they told him that they did it for the reason that Allah granted Prophet Musa emancipation from Pharaoh on this day, and so they observed fast in token of their joy. On this, he (peace be upon him) said that in this happiness of Prophet Musa, Muslims have a greater right to observe fast than the Jews. Consequently, he also observed fast on 10th of Muharram. Then, he said that if he lived the following year, he would observe fast on the 9th of Muharram also so that they would make themselves different from the Jews. 

According to another Hadith, he (peace be upon him) ordained the Muslims to observe fast on `Ashoora' and in addition one more fast on 9th or 11th of Muharram in opposition to the Jews.
(Musnad Ahmad, Vol.4, P-21, edited by Ahmad Shakir; and Mujamma` Az-Zawaid, Vol.3, P-188).

Thus the observance of two fasts on this occasion is a Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him). These two fasts can be observed either on 9th and 10th or 10th and 11th of Muharram. It is regrettable indeed that present-day Muslims do not follow this Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and instead observe the baseless practices of mourning assemblies, which is a grave sin practised by Shi`ah.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to be very keen to make sure he fasted on the day of ‘Ashoora’ because of its great status. Fasting on this day expiates minor sins from the past year.

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:
I never saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) so keen to make sure he fasted any day and preferring it over another except this day, the day of ‘Ashoora’, and this month – meaning Ramadaan.'
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1867. 

This is by the bounty that Allah bestows upon us, whereby fasting on one day expiates for the sins of a whole year. And Allah is the Owner of great bounty. 

Happy New Islamic Year 1434

November 15th marked the first day of the new Islamic year, 1434. Let me take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy New Islamic Year.

The Islamic calendar (or Hijri calendar) is a purely lunar calendar. It contains 12 months that are based on the motion of the moon. and because 12 synodic months is only 354.36 days, the Islamic calendar is consistently shorter than a tropical year, and therefore it shifts with respect to the Gregorian calendar.

Each month starts when the lunar crescent is first seen (by a human observer’s eye) after a new moon.

Although new moons may be calculated quite precisely, the actual visibility of the crescent is much more difficult to predict. It depends on factors such as weather, the optical properties of the atmosphere, and the location of the observer. It is therefore very difficult to give accurate information in advance about when a new month will start. 

Years are counted since the Hijra, that is, Prophet Mohammed’s emigration to Medina in AD 622. Although almost 1390 (2012-622) years have passed in the Gregorian calendar, 1434 years have passed in the Islamic calendar, because its year is consistently shorter (by about 11 days) than the tropical year used by the Gregorian calendar.

Being a Muslim, what are your resolutions for the new year. Start with simple things that get counted as your good deeds. Don't be too hard on yourself. Set realistic goals and stick to them. Here are some ideas:

~ Pray five times a day, on time.

~ Recite a few verses from the Qur'an everyday, and learn its meanings.

~ Fast on Mondays and Thursdays.

~ Not get irritated by my parents when they tell me not to do this or that, and try to be as obedient as possible.

~ Give a small sum of money to the poor people, say once or twice a month.

~ Don't fight with your siblings.

~ Make up with someone you had a silly fight with.

Small things like these may make a big difference in your life. Let's begin a better life with this new year, let's prove that we are not Muslims with names, but with deeds like Sahaba (RA), let's strive for Akhirah!!!