شهر الله المحرم

إنّ لله تعالى أشهرًا وأيامًا يتفضل بها على عباده بالطاعات والقربات، ويتكرم على عباده بما يعده لهم من أثر تلك العبادات.. ومن تلك الأشهر (شهر الله الحرام).. وهو من الأشهر الحرم كما قال تعالى: {إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْراً فِي كِتَابِ اللّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَات وَالأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ} [التوبة: من الآية 36].

قال ابن عباس في قوله {مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ} قال: “محرم ورجب وذوالقعدة وذو الحجة”.

وقال علم الدين السخاوي: “أن المحرم سمي بذلك لكونه شهرًا محرمًا، وعندي أنّه سمي بذلك تأكيدًا لتحريمه، لأنّ العرب كانت تتقلب به فتحله عامًا وتحرمه عامًا ويجمع على محرمات ومحارم ومحاريم”. (بن كثير 2/397- 398).

عن ابن عمر رضي الله عنه قال: خطب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في حجة الوداع بمنى فقال: «أيّها الناس: إنّ الزمان قد استدار كهيئة يوم خلق الله السماوات والأرض، وإنّ عدة الشهور عند الله اثنا عشر شهرا في كتاب الله يوم خلق السماوات والأرض منها أربعة حــرم ثـلاث متواليات ـ ذو القعدة وذو الحجة ومحرم ـ ورجب مضر الذي بين جمادى وشعبان» [رواه البزار].

فضل عاشوراء

عن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «أفضل الصيام بعد رمضان شهر الله المحرم وافضل الصلاة بعد الفريضة صلاة الليل» [رواه مسلم].

عن أبي قتادة رضي الله عنه قال: سئل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن صوم يوم عاشوراء؟ فقال: «يكفر السنة الماضية» [رواه مسلم].

وعن ابن عباس رضي الله عنه قال: قدم النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم المدينة فرأى اليهود تصوم عاشوراء فقال: ما هذا ؟ قالوا: يوم صالح نجى الله فيه موسى وبني إسرائيل مـن عـدوهم فصـامه موسى .. فقال صلى الله عليه وسلم: «أنا أحق بموسى منكم فصامه وأمر بصيامه» [متفق عليه].

كذلك أمر النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم بمخالفة اليهود بصيام يوم قبله فعن ابن عباس رضي الله عنه قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «لئن بقيت إلى قابل لأصومن التاسع» [رواه مسلم].

وقال ابن عباس رضي الله عنه: “صوموا التاسع والعاشر وخالفوا اليهود”.
ولقد كان يوم عاشوراء في أول الأمر للوجوب ثم نسخ بصوم شهر رمضان كما قالت أم المؤمنين عائشة رضي الله عنه: كان يوم عاشوراء يومًا تصومه قريش في الجاهلية وكان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يصومه، فلما قدم المدينة صامه وأمر النّاس بصيامه، فلما فرض رمضان قال: «من شاء صامه ومن شاء تركه» [متفق عليه].

وسئل ابن عباس رضي الله عنه عن صيام يوم عاشوراء؟ فقال: “ما علمت أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم صام يومًا يطلب فضله على الأيام إلاّ هذا اليوم، ولا شهرًا إلاّ هذا الشهر (يعني رمضان)”. [رواه مسلم].

ويتبين لنا من هذه الأدلة أنّ صيام يوم عاشوراء سنه مؤكدة.. وليس لصيام عاشوراء علاقة باستشهاد الحسين رضي الله عنه وإنّما سببه يوم صالح نجى الله به موسى من فرعون .. فصامه موسى ثم صامه النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم .

حكم صيام عاشوراء

سئل سماحة الوالد عبدالعزيز بن باز رحمه الله تعالى بما يلي:
ما حكم صيام يوم عاشوراء؟ وهل الأفضل صيام اليوم الذي قبله أو اليوم الذي بعده؟ أم يصومها جميعا؟ أم يصوم يوم عاشوراء فقط؟ نرجو توضيح ذلك جزاكم الله خيرًا؟؟

فأجاب: صيام عاشوراء سنة.. لما ثبت في الأحاديث الصحيحة عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من الدلالة على ذلك .. وأنّه كان يومًا تصومه اليهود لأنّ الله نجى فيه موسى وقومه وأهلك فرعون وقومه فصامه نبينا محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم شكرًا لله وأمر بصيامه وشرع لنا أن نصوم يومًا قبله أو يومًا بعده.. وصوم التاسع مع العاشر أفضل.. وإنّ صام العاشر والحادي عشر كفى ذلك لمخالفة اليهود، وإن صامهما جميعا مع العاشـر فـلا بأس لما جاء في بعض الروايات «صوموا يوما قبله ويوما بعده» أمّا صومه وحده فيكره.. والله ولي التوفيق
[فتاوى اسلامية 2/170 (جمع محمد المسند)].

النهي عن سب الصحابة

من أصول أهل السنة والجماعة سلامة قلوبهم وألسنتهم لأصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كما وصفهم الله بذلك في قولـه تعالى: {وَالَّذِينَ جَاؤُوا مِن بَعْدِهِمْ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلّاً لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَؤُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ} [ الحشر:10].

وطاعة لرسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في قولـه: «لا تسبوا أصحابي فو الذي نفسي بيده لو أنفق أحدكم مثل أحد ذهبا ما بلغ مُدَّ أحدهم ولا نصيفه» [متفق عليه].
ويتبرءون من طريقة المنحرفين من أهل البدع الذين يسبون الصحابة رضي الله عنهم ويبغضونهم ويجحدون فضائلهم ويكفرون أكثرهم.

وأهل السنة يقبلون ما جاء في الكتاب والسنة من فضائلهم ويعتقدون أنّهم خير القرون كما قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: «خيركم قرني» الحديث في الصحيحين.
ولما ذكر الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم للصحابة افتراق الأمة إلى ثلاث وسبعين فرقة وأنّها في النار إلاّ واحدة، سألوه عن تلك الواحدة فقال: «هم من كان على مثل ما أنا عليه اليوم وأصحابي» [رواه الإمام أحمد وغيره].
قال أبو زرعة وهو من أجل شيوخ الإمام مسلم: “إذا رأيت الرجل ينتقص امرءاً من الصحابة فاعلم أنّه زنديق، وذلك أنّ القرآن حق، والرسول حق وما جاء به حق، وما أدى إلينا ذلك كله إلاّ الصحابة. فمن جرحهم إنّما أراد إبطال الكتاب والسنة، فيكون الجرح به أليق والحكم عليه بالزندقة والضلال أقوم وأحق”.
قال العلامة ابن حمدان في نهاية المبتدئين: “من سب أحداً من الصحابة مستحلاً كفر ، وإن لم يستحل فسق وعنه يكفر مطلقاً ومن فسقهم أو طعن في دينهم أو كـفـّرهم كفر”. [شرح عقيدة السفاريني (2/388-389)].

بتصرف من كتاب/ (التوحيد للشيخ الفوزان ص 76)
سلسلة العلامتين

فضل يوم عاشوراء.. العام الجديد ومحاسبة النفس

الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على أشرف الأنبياء والمرسلين نبينا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه أجمعين وبعد:

فإن من نعم الله على عباده أن يوالي مواسم الخيرات عليهم على مدار الأيام والشهور ليوفيهم أجورهم ويزيدهم من فضله، فما أن انقضى موسم الحج المبارك إلا وتبعه شهر كريم، هو شهر الله المحرم، فقد روى مسلم في صحيحه من حديث أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، عن النبي أنه قال: « أفضل الصيام بعد شهر رمضان شهر الله الذي تدعونه المحرم، وأفضل الصلاة بعد الفريضة قيام الليل » وقد سمى النبي المحرم شهر الله دلالة على شرفه وفضله، فإن الله تعالى يخص بعض مخلوقاته بخصائص ويفضل بعضها على بعض.

وقال الحسن البصري رحمه الله تعالى: “إن الله افتتح السنة بشهر حرام واختتمها بشهر حرام، فليس شهر في السنة بعد شهر رمضان أعظم عند الله من شده تحريمه “.

وفي هذا الشهر يوم حصل فيه حدث عظيم، ونصر مبين، ظهر فيه الحق على الباطل، حيث أنجى الله فيه موسى عليه الصلاة والسلام وقومه وأغرق فرعون وقومه، فهو يوم له فضيلة عظيمة وحرمة قديمة، هذا اليوم العاشر من شهر الله المحرم وهو ما يسمى بيوم عاشوراء.

فضل يوم عاشوراء وصيامه

وردت أحاديث كثيرة عن فضل يوم عاشوراء والصوم فيه وهي ثابتة عن رسول الله نذكر منها على سبيل المثال ما يلي:

في الصحيحين عن ابن عباس أنه سئل عن يوم عاشوراء فقال: “ما رأيت رسول الله يوماً يتحرى فضله على الأيام إلا هذا اليوم – يعني يوم عاشوراء – وهذا الشهر يعني رمضان”.

وكما أسلفنا من قبل أن يوم عاشوراء له فضيلة عظيمة وحرمة قديمة، وكان موسى عليه الصلاة والسلام يصومه لفضله، وليس هذا فحسب بل كان أهل الكتاب يصومونه، وكذلك قريش في الجاهلية كانت تصومه.

كان يصوم يوم عاشوراء بمكة ولا يأمر الناس بالصوم، فلما قدم المدينة ورأى صيام أهل الكتاب له وتعظيمهم له، وكان يحب موافقتهم فيما لم يؤمر به، صامه وأمر الناس بصيامه، وأكد الأمر بصيامه والحث عليه، حتى كانوا يصوّمونه أطفالهم. وفي الصحيحين عن ابن عباس قال: قدم رسول الله المدينة فوجد اليهود صياماً يوم عاشوراء، فقال لهم رسول الله: «ما هذا اليوم الذي تصومونه» قالوا: هذا يوم عظيم أنجى الله فيه موسى وقومه، وأغرق فرعون وقومه، فصامه موسى شكراً لله فنحن نصومه، فقال: «فنحن أحق وأولى بموسى منكم» فصامه رسول الله وأمر بصيامه.

وفي الصحيحين أيضاً عن الربيع بنت معوذ قالت: أرسل رسول الله غداة عاشوراء إلى قرى الأنصار التي حول المدينة: «من كان أصبح منكم صائماً فليتم صومه، ومن كان أصبح منكم مفطراً فليتم بقية يومه». فكنا بعد ذلك نصوم ونصوّم صبياننا الصغار منهم، ونذهب إلى المسجد فنجعل لهم اللعبة من العهن، فإذا بكى أحدهم على الطعام أعطيناه إياها حتى يكون عند الإفطار. وفي رواية: (فإذا سألونا الطعام أعطيناهم اللعبة نلهيهم حتي يتموا صومهم).

فلما فرض صيام شهر رمضان ترك النبي أمر الصحابة بصيام يوم عاشوراء وتأكيده فيه، لما في الصحيحين من حديث ابن عمر قال: “صام النبي عاشوراء وأمر بصيامه فلما فرض رمضان ترك ذلك – أي ترك أمرهم بذلك وبقي على الاستحباب”. وفي الصحيحين أيضاً عن معاوية قال: سمعت رسول الله يقول: «هذا يوم عاشوراء ولم يكتب الله عليكم صيامه وأنا صائم، فمن شاء فليصم ومن شاء فليفطر». وهذا دليل على نسخ الوجوب وبقاء الاستحباب.

من فضائل شهر الله المحرم أن صيام يوم عاشوراء فيه يكفر ذنوب السنة التي قبله، فقد روى مسلم في صحيحه عن أبي قتادة أن رجلاً سأل النبي عن صيام يوم عاشوراء فقال: «أحتسب على الله أن يكفر السنة التي قبله».

أخي المسلم.. أختي المسلمة:

عزم النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم في آخر عمره على أن لا يصومه مفرداً بل يضم إليه يوماً آخر مخالفةً لأهل الكتاب في صومه، ففي صحيح مسلم عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال: “حين صام رسول الله عاشوراء وأمر بصيامه، قالوا: يا رسول الله إنه يوم تعظمه اليهود والنصارى”، فقال : «فإذا كان العام المقبل إن شاء الله صمنا التاسع» (أي مع العاشر مخالفةً لأهل الكتاب)، قال: “فلم يأت العام المقبل حتى توفى رسول الله”.

قال ابن القيم رحمه الله تعالى في زاد المعاد (2/76):
“مراتب الصوم ثلاثة: أكملها أن يصام قبله يوم وبعده يوم، ويلي ذلك أن يصام التاسع والعاشر، وعليه أكثر الأحاديث، ويلي ذلك إفراد العاشر وحده بالصوم”.

والأحوط أن يصام التاسع والعاشر والحادي عشر حتى يدرك صيام يوم عاشوراء.

بعض البدع والمخالفات التي تقع في هذا اليوم

اعلم أخي المسلم أنه لا يشرع لك أي عمل لم يثبت عن رسول الله ، ومن المخالفات التي تقع من بعض الناس في هذا اليوم: الاكتحال، والاختضاب، والاغتسال، والتوسعة على الأهل والعيال وكذلك صنع طعام خاص بهذا اليوم. كل هذه الأعمال وردت فيها أحاديث موضوعة وضعيفة.
وهناك أيضاً بدع تقع من بعض الناس في هذا اليوم منها: تخصيص هذا اليوم بدعاء معين، وكذلك ما يعرف عند أهل البدع برقية عاشوراء، وأيضاً ما تفعله الرافضة في هذا اليوم لا أصل له في الشرع. كما وأن من الأمور المنكرة الاحتفال ببداية العام الهجري وتوزيع الهدايا والورود واتخاذه عيداً سنوياً.

العام الجديد ومحاسبة النفس

حريٌ بالمسلم مع بداية العام الهجري الجديد أن يقف مع نفسه وقفة محاسبة سريعة ومراجعة دقيقة. وفي تلك الوقفة طريق نجاة وسبيل هداية، فالكيس من دان نفسه وعمل لما بعد الموت، والفطن من ألزم نفسه طريق الخير وخطمها بخطام الشرع.
والإنسان لا يخلو من حالين، فإن كان محسناً ازداد إحساناً وإن كان مقصراً ندم وتاب قال الله تعالى: {يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ} [الحشر:18].
قال ابن كثير في تفسير هذه الآية: “أي حاسبوا أنفسكم قبل أن تحاسبوا، وانظروا ماذا ادخرتم لأنفسكم من الأعمال الصالحة ليوم معادكم وعرضكم على ربكم”.

وقد أجمل ابن قيم الجوزية طريقة محاسبة النفس وكيفيتها فقال: “جماع ذلك أن يحاسب نفسه أولاً على الفرائض، فإن تذكر فيها نقصاً تداركه، إما بقضاء أو إصلاح، ثم يحاسب نفسه على المناهي فإن عرف أنه ارتكب منها شيئاً تداركه بالتوبة والاستغفار والحسنات الماحية، ثم يحاسب نفسه على الغفلة، فإن كان قد غفل عما خلق له تداركه بالذكر والإقبال على الله”.
فبادر أخي المسلم مع فجر هذا العام الجديد بالتوبة والإقبال على الله فإن صحائفك أمامك بيضاء لم يكتب بعد فيها شيء. فالله الله أن تسودها بالذنوب والمعاصي. وحاسب نفسك قبل أن تحاسب وأكثر من ذكر الله عز وجل والاستغفار واحرص علي رفقة صالحة تدلك على الخير. جعل الله هذا العام عام خير على الإسلام والمسلمين وأطال أعمارنا ومد آجالنا في حسن طاعته والبعد عن معصيته وجعلنا ممن يتبوأ من الجنة غرفاً تجرى من تحتها الأنهار. وصلى الله على نبينا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم.

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الحديث عن الهجرة النبوية من مكة إلى المدينة المنورة ليس بالذي يُكتفى فيه بمقالة سريعة، وما أحسب أن واحدا من المفكرين -مهما أوتي من الحكمة وفصل الخطاب- قادر على أن يحيط بأحداث السيرة حكما تستفاد، وعبرا تؤخذ؛ فسيرته -صلى الله عليه وسلم- لا تَخْلَق من كثرة الرد؛ فهي كجزء من السنة النبوية، قسيم القرآن في وحيه، وهذا ما عبر عنه النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم “ألا إني أوتيت القرآن ومثله معه”. أو ما عبر عنه الشافعي رحمه الله: السنة وحي.

الهجرة سنة الأنبياء

ولا شك أن الهجرة هي إحدى وسائل الوقاية من اضطهاد الكفر للإيمان في بداية دعوته، فلم تكن الهجرة النبوية خاصة بسيد الخلق محمد -صلى الله عليه وسلم؛ فقد هاجر قبله سيدنا إبراهيم عليه الصلاة والسلام حين وقف قومه ضده وعادوه، بل كان أقرب الناس إليه من يعاديه، وهو أبوه، أو عمه كما يذكر بعض المفسرين. وهذا ما حدث للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم؛ فقد عاداه أقرب الناس إليه عمه أبو لهب، يدور معه في الأسواق، فيبشر الرسول بدعوته، ويقول للناس: “قولوا: لا إله إلا الله”، فيقول أبو لهب معقبا على كلامه: “لا تصدقوه إنه كذاب”، فيسأل من لا يعرف: من هذا؟ فيقول أهل مكة: هذا محمد يدعو إلى دين جديد، وهذا عمه أبو لهب يكذبه.

إبراهيم قد هاجر

هذا الموقف كان شبيها بما حدث لإبراهيم عليه السلام من أبيه -أو عمه-، وقد حكى القرآن الكريم ذلك حين قال: {وَاذْكُرْ فِي الكِتَابِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صِدِّيقاً نَّبِيًّا * إِذْ قَال لأَبِيهِ يَا أَبَتِ لمَ تَعْبُدُ مَا لا يَسْمَعُ وَلا يُبْصِرُ وَلا يُغْنِي عَنكَ شَيْئًا * يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي قَدْ جَاءنِي مِنَ العِلمِ مَا لمْ يَأْتِكَ فَاتَّبِعْنِي أَهْدِكَ صِرَاطاً سَوِيًّا * يَا أَبَتِ لا تَعْبُدِ الشَّيْطَانَ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ كَانَ للرَّحْمَنِ عَصِيًّا * يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَن يَمَسَّكَ عَذَابٌ مِّنَ الرَّحْمَن فَتَكُونَ للشَّيْطَانِ وَليًّا * قَال أَرَاغِبٌ أَنتَ عَنْ آلهَتِي يَا إِبْراهِيمُ لئِن لمْ تَنتَهِ لأَرْجُمَنَّكَ وَاهْجُرْنِي مَليًّا * قَال سَلامٌ عَليْكَ سَأَسْتَغْفِرُ لكَ رَبِّي إِنَّهُ كَانَ بِي حَفِيًّا * وَأَعْتَزِلكُمْ وَمَا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللهِ وَأَدْعُو رَبِّي عَسَى أَلا أَكُونَ بِدُعَاء رَبِّي شَقِيًّا}.

الهجرة إلى الله وليست إلى مكان

بل صرح القرآن الكريم بهجرة إبراهيم حين حكى عنه قوله: {وَقال إني مُهَاجِرٌ إلى رَبِّي إِنَّهُ هُوَ العَزِيزُ الحَكِيمُ}.

ويعطينا إبراهيم عليه السلام في هذا معنى غاية في الأهمية؛ أن الهجرة لم تكن إلى مكان؛ فليس المكان مقصودا في ذاته، وإنما الهجرة تكون إلى الله تعالى؛ فتكون الهجرة إلى المدينة لنبينا هي تعريف بالمكان، ولكنها كانت هجرة الرسول إلى ربه في المدينة المنورة.

وقد هاجر مع إبراهيم عليه السلام ابن أخيه نبي الله لوط، وبعض المفسرين يرى أن قوله تعالى: {وَقال إني مُهَاجِرٌ إلى رَبِّي إِنَّهُ هُوَ العَزِيزُ الحَكِيمُ} هو من قول لوط، وليس من قول إبراهيم، ويستندون في ذلك إلى ما قبلها {فَآمَنَ لَهُ لُوطٌ}، وإن كان الكل قد هاجر، والهجرة تحققت لإبراهيم عليه السلام، كما تحققت للوط عليه السلام.

وموسى قد هاجر

وقد هاجر سيدنا موسى -عليه السلام- من بين أهله إلى مدين، بعد اضطهاد آل فرعون له، وخشية قتله، وهذا ما حدث في الهجرة أيضا حين تآمر المشركون على الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم، وتناقشوا في دار الندوة، واتفقوا على قتله، وفي هذا يحكي القرآن الكريم: {وإذْ يَمْكُرُ بِكَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لِيُثْبِتُوكَ أَوْ يَقْتُلُوكَ أَوْ يُخْرِجُوكَ ويَمْكُرُونَ ويَمْكُرُ اللَّهُ واللَّهُ خَيْرُ المَاكِرِينَ}.

والهجرة خشية الاضطهاد مع موسى عليه السلام، حكاها القرآن حين قال: {وجَاءَ رَجُلٌ مِّنْ أَقْصَا المَدِينَةِ يَسْعَى قَالَ يَا مُوسَى إنَّ المَلأَ يَأْتَمِرُونَ بِكَ لِيَقْتُلُوكَ فَاخْرُجْ إنِّي لَكَ مِنَ النَّاصِحِينَ * فَخَرَجَ مِنْهَا خَائِفًا يَتَرَقَّبُ قَالَ رَبِّ نَجِّنِي مِنَ القَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ}.

وإن كان موسى عليه السلام قد خرج مهاجرا خائفا، فإن محمدا صلى الله عليه وسلم هاجر دون خوف، وإن أخذ الاحتياط بعد علمه بمحاولة اغتياله وقتله، بل إنه لم يهاجر حتى هاجر جُل أصحابه، ثم رتب هجرته، وخطط لها حسب ما ذكرت كتب السيرة.

الهجرة ومعانيها المتجددة

وهذه الهجرة التي يفر بها المسلم بدينه خوفا عليه، والتي من أجلها يترك ماله ووطنه وتجارته معنى متجدد على مر العصور والدهور، ويمكن الاستئناس في ذلك بقوله عز وجل: {قُلْ إن كَانَ آبَاؤُكُمْ وأَبْنَاؤُكُمْ وإخْوَانُكُمْ وأَزْوَاجُكُمْ وَعَشِيرَتُكُمْ وأَمْوَالٌ اقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا وتِجَارَةٌ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا ومَسَاكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَا أَحَبَّ إلَيْكُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ ورَسُولِهِ وجِهَادٍ فِي سَبِيلِهِ فَتَرَبَّصُوا حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ اللَّهُ بِأَمْرِهِ واللَّهُ لا يَهْدِي القَوْمَ الفَاسِقِينَ}.

ولعل هذا المعنى هو الذي أراده النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم بقوله: “والمهاجر من هجر ما نهى الله عنه”، ولو في ذلك هجرة المكان.

ومن القديم حكى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم لنا قصة الرجل الذي قتل تسعة وتسعين نفسا، واستفتى أعبد أهل الأرض، فجهل، وأضله بإفتائه ألا توبة له، فقتله، وأكمل به المائة، ثم استفتى أعلم أهل الأرض، فدله على الهجرة سبيلا للتوبة، والحفاظ على الدين فهاجر، ثم مات في الطريق؛ فكان ما كان من خصام الملائكة حوله، وأخذ ملائكة الرحمة له؛ ليكون من عباد الله المرحومين، بعد أن سلك طريق الهجرة.

وحين تكون الهجرة لله فرارا بالدين، تتصاغر أمامها شهوات النفس كلها، من المال والجاه والأرض وغير ذلك، وهذا ما حدث مع صهيب الرومي -رضي الله عنه-، فقد أراد الهجرة للنبي -صلى الله عليه وسلم- فاعترضه أهل مكة، وقد كان صهيب عبدا، فكاتب سيده، وأصبح حرًّا، ثم أصبح تاجرا، فساومه أهل مكة على غناه وتجارته، فترك لهم دنياه، لينال رضا الله تعالى، ولما علم النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم بذلك فرح به قائلا: “ربح البيع أبا يحيى”.

بئست الهجرة!

ولكن يلاحظ أن عددًا غير قليل من شبابنا يهاجرون من أوطانهم، ولو كان في هذا بيع لدينهم فتتلاشى عقولهم وقلوبهم وحياتهم، ويذوبون في المجتمعات التي هاجروا إليها، ولم يأخذوا منها إلا الانسلاخ عن العقيدة والدين، مع ما قد يكون فيها من فوائد كثيرة، ومصالح عديدة.

وأقصد من هذا أنه يجب ألا تكون الهجرة مقصودة في ذاتها، بل تكون سبيلا لشيء نافع، ولعل الضابط الذي وضعه الفقهاء في هذا هو الحفاظ على الدين؛ فمن رأى من نفسه القدرة على الحفاظ على دينه، والنيل من متاع الدنيا فلا بأس بهذا، وإن كان قادرا على عرض الإسلام بصورة جيدة، فقد جمع الله تعالى له الحسنيين، أو كما قال القائل فيمن يجمع الله تعالى له ثواب الدنيا والآخرة: نصنع كأم موسى؛ ترضع ولدها، وتأخذ أجرها.

وإن كانت الهجرة ترتبط بالانتقال من مكان إلى مكان، فهناك هجرة الحال، وهي أن ينتقل الإنسان من حال إلى حال، ومن باب أولى أن يكون المقصود بها الانتقال من حالة إلى الأحسن، أو ما يعبر عنه في الدعاء: “اللهم غيّر حالنا إلى أحسن حال”.

وفي الهجرة تجديد

وهذه الهجرة باقية إلى يوم القيامة، وكلنا في حاجة إليها، وإن كانت الدعوة إلى تجديد الخطاب الديني ينعق بها الآن كل ناعق، ممن صحت نيته وسريرته، أو كانت ستارا لمغنم شخصي، سواء أكانت من قِبل أفراد، أو من قبل دول، فإنه يجب تجديد الحالة الدينية، وهي في طياتها تحمل معنى الهجرة؛ ذلك لأن الإنسان بطبعه متغير، يزيد إيمانه وينقص، يسيء ويحسن، يصيب ويخطئ، وهذه طبيعة البشر “لو لم تذنبوا لأتى الله بأقوام غيركم، يذنبون، فيستغفرون الله فيغفر لهم”، وليس الحديث دعوة للذنب، فما أكثر ذنوب العباد، ولكن هي دعوة للاستغفار، ولعل هجرة الحال، وتجديد الحالة الدينية مطلوب على دوام اليوم، فقد أخبر المعصوم -صلى الله عليه وسلم- عن ربه أنه سبحانه يتنزل كل يوم إلى السماء الدنيا، فينادي: هل من تائب فأتوب عليه؟ هل من مستغفر فأغفر الله؟ هل من سائل فأعطيه؟ هل من كذا، هل من كذا… حتى يطلع الفجر.

وكذلك في الحديث: “إن الله يبسط يده بالليل ليتوب مسيء النهار، ويبسط يده بالنهار ليتوب مسيء الليل، حتى تطلع الشمس من مغربها”.

هجرات مطلوبة

ولعلنا -ونحن في ذكرى الهجرة- نريد أن ننظر إلى أنفسنا، وأن نسطر مساوئنا وما علق في نفوسنا من شوائب؛ فنسعى إلى تصحيحها، وننشد الأصلح لها، وهذا الملمح أحسبه واحدا من أوجه التجديد الديني الذي يجب الانتباه له.

وإن كنا ندعو إلى هجرة الرذائل في الأخلاق والسلوك، فإننا أيضا في حاجة إلى هجرة الرذائل فيما يخص شئون حياتنا عامة، وأن نأخذ من هجرة الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم ما ينفعنا في مسيرتنا؛ فنهجر العشوائية في تسيير أمورنا، ونهجر الجدال الذي لا يراد به حق، ونهجر تضييع الوقت بغير شيء نافع، ونهجر عدم إتقان العمل، وغير ذلك مما يعرفه كل إنسان عن نفسه، وإن اشترك البعض في مساحات معينة، ولكن يبقى التمايز بين بني البشر سمة أساسية.

باحث شرعي بكلية دار العلوم وشبكة إسلام أون لاين

Allah’s sacred month of Muharram

 

The Virtues of Allah’s sacred month of Muharram

What are the virtues of the month of Muharram

Praise be to Allaah,

the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets and Chief of the Messengers, and upon all his family and companions.

Allah’s sacred month of Muharram is a blessed and important month. It is the first month of the Hijri calendar and is one of the four sacred months concerning which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, the number of months with Allaah is twelve months (in a year), so it was ordained by Allaah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four are sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein…” [al-Tawbah 9:36]

Abu Bakrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The year is twelve months of which four are sacred, the three consecutive months of Dhu’l-Qa’dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab Mudar which comes between Jumaada and Sha’baan.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 2958).

Muharram is so called because it is a sacred (muharram) month and to confirm its sanctity.

Allaah’s words (interpretation of the meaning): “so wrong not yourselves therein…” mean do not wrong yourselves in these sacred months, because sin in these months is worse than in other months.

It was reported that Ibn ‘Abbaas said that this phrase (so wrong not yourselves therein…) referred to all the months, then these four were singled out and made sacred, so that sin in these months is more serious and good deeds bring a greater reward.

Qutaadah said concerning this phrase (so wrong not yourselves therein…) that wrongdoing during the sacred months is more serious and more sinful that wrongdoing at any other time. Wrongdoing at any time is a serious matter, but Allaah gives more weight to whichever of His commands He will. Allaah has chosen certain ones of His creation. He has chosen from among the angels Messengers and from among mankind Messengers. He chose from among speech the remembrance of Him (dhikr). He chose from among the earth the mosques, from among the months Ramadaan and the sacred months, from among the days Friday and from among the nights Laylat al-Qadr, so venerate that which Allaah has told us to venerate. People of understanding and wisdom venerate the things that Allaah has told us to venerate. (Summarized from the Tafseer of Ibn Katheer, may Allaah have mercy on him. Tafseer of Surat al-Tawbah, aayah 36).

The Virtue of observing more naafil fasts during Muharram.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘The best of fasting after Ramadaan is fasting Allaah’s month of Muharram.’” (reported by Muslim, 1982).

The phrase “Allaah’s month”, connecting the name of the month to the name of Allaah in a genitive grammatical structure, signifies the importance of the month. Al-Qaari said: “The apparent meaning is all of the month of Muharram.” But it was proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) never fasted any whole month apart from Ramadan, so this hadeeth is probably meant to encourage increasing one’s fasting during Muharram, without meaning that one should fast for the entire month.

It was reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast more in Sha’baan. It is likely that the virtue of Muharram was not revealed to him until the end of his life, before he was able to fast during this month. (Sharh al-Nawawi ‘ala Saheeh Muslim).

Allaah chooses whatever times and places He wills

Al-‘Izz ibn ‘Abd al-Salaam (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “Times and places may be given preferred status in two ways, either temporal or religious/spiritual. With regard to the latter, this is because Allaah bestows His generosity on His slaves at those times or in those places, by giving a greater reward for deeds done, such as giving a greater reward for fasting in Ramadaan than for fasting at all other times, and also on the day of ‘Aashooraa’, the virtue of which is due to Allaah’s generosity and kindness towards His slaves on that day…” (Qawaa’id al-Ahkaam, 1/38).

Fasting on ‘Aashooraa’

Praise be to Allaah,

‘Aashooraa’ in History

Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to Madeenah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Aashooraa’. He said, ‘What is this?’ They said, ‘This is a righteous day, it is the day when Allaah saved the Children of Israel from their enemies, so Moosa fasted on this day.’ He said, ‘We have more right to Moosa than you,’ so he fasted on that day and commanded [the Muslims] to fast on that day.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 1865).

“This is a righteous day” – in a report narrated by Muslim, [the Jews said:] “This is a great day, on which Allaah saved Moosa and his people, and drowned Pharaoh and his people.”

“Moosa fasted on this day” – a report narrated by Muslim adds: “… in thanksgiving to Allaah, so we fast on this day.”

According to a report narrated by al-Bukhaari: “… so we fast on this day to venerate it.”

A version narrated by Imaam Ahmad adds: “This is the day on which the Ark settled on MountJoodi, so Nooh fasted this day in thanksgiving.”

“and commanded [the Muslims] to fast on that day” – according to another report also narrated by al-Bukhaari: “He said to his Companions: ‘You have more right to Moosa than they do, so fast on that day.”

The practice of fasting on ‘Aashooraa’ was known even in the days of Jaahiliyyah, before the Prophet’s mission. It was reported that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “The people of Jaahiliyyah used to fast on that day…”

Al-Qurtubi said: “Perhaps Quraysh used to fast on that day on the basis of some past law, such as that of Ibraaheem, upon whom be peace.”

It was also reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast on ‘Aashooraa’ in Makkah, before he migrated to Madeenah. When he migrated to Madeenah, he found the Jews celebrating this day, so he asked them why, and they replied as described in the hadeeth quoted above. He commanded the Muslims to be different from the Jews, who took it as a festival, as was reported in the hadeeth of Abu Moosa (may Allaah be pleased with him), who said: “The Jews used to take the day of ‘Aashooraa’ as a festival [according to a report narrated by Muslim: the day of ‘Aashooraa’ was venerated by the Jews, who took it as a festival. According to another report also narrated by Muslim: the people of Khaybar (the Jews) used to take it as a festival and their women would wear their jewellery and symbols on that day]. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘So you [Muslims] should fast on that day.’” (Reported by al-Bukhaari). Apparently the motive for commanding the Muslims to fast on this day was the desire to be different from the Jews, so that the Muslims would fast when the Jews did not, because people do not fast on a day of celebration. (Summarized from the words of al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar – may Allaah have mercy on him – in Fath al-Baari Sharh ‘ala Saheeh al-Bukhaari).

Fasting on ‘Aashooraa’ was a gradual step in the process of introducing fasting as a prescribed obligation in Islam. Fasting appeared in three forms. When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to Madeenah, he told the Muslims to fast on three days of every month and on the day of ‘Aashooraa’, then Allaah made fasting obligatory when He said (interpretation of the meaning): “… observing the fasting is prescribed for you…” [al-Baqarah 2:183] (Ahkaam al-Qur’aan by al-Jassas, part 1).

The obligation was transferred from the fast of ‘Aashooraa’ to the fast of Ramadaan, and this one of the proofs in the field of Usool al-Fiqh that it is possible to abrogate a lighter duty in favour of a heavier duty.

Before the obligation of fasting ‘Aashooraa’ was abrogated, fasting on this day was obligatory, as can be seen from the clear command to observe this fast. Then it was further confirmed later on, then reaffirmed by making it a general command addressed to everybody, and once again by instructing mothers not to breastfeed their infants during this fast. It was reported from Ibn Mas’ood that when fasting Ramadaan was made obligatory, the obligation to fast ‘Aashooraa’ was lifted, i.e., it was no longer obligatory to fast on this day, but it is still desirable (mustahabb).

The virtues of fasting ‘Aashooraa’

Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said: “I never saw the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) so keen to fast any day and give it priority over any other than this day, the day of ‘Aashooraa’, and this month, meaning Ramadaan.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 1867).

The meaning of his being keen was that he intended to fast on that day in the hope of earning the reward for doing so.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “For fasting the day of ‘Aashooraa’, I hope that Allaah will accept it as expiation for the year that went before.” (Reported by Muslim, 1976). This is from the bounty of Allaah towards us: for fasting one day He gives us expiation for the sins of a whole year. And Allaah is the Owner of Great Bounty.

Which day is ‘Aashooraa’?

Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “ ‘Aashooraa’ and Taasoo’aa’ are two elongated names [the vowels are elongated] as is stated in books on the Arabic language. Our companions said: ‘Aashooraa’ is the tenth day of Muharram and Taasoo’aa’ is the ninth day. This is our opinion, and that of the majority of scholars. This is the apparent meaning of the ahaadeeth and is what we understand from the general wording. It is also what is usually understood by scholars of the language.” (al-Majmoo’)

‘Aashooraa’ is an Islamic name that was not known at the time of Jaahiliyyah. (Kashshaaf al-Qinaa’, part 2, Sawm Muharram).

Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

“ ‘Aashooraa’ is the tenth day of Muharram. This is the opinion of Sa’eed ibn al-Musayyib and al-Hasan. It was what was reported by Ibn ‘Abbaas, who said: ‘The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded us to fast ‘Aashooraa’, the tenth day of Muharram.’ (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, who said, a saheeh hasan hadeeth). It was reported that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: ‘The ninth,’ and reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast the ninth. (Reported by Muslim). ‘Ataa’ reported that he said, ‘Fast the ninth and the tenth, and do not be like the Jews.’ If this is understood, we can say on this basis that it is mustahabb (encouraged) to fast on the ninth and the tenth, for that reason. This is what Ahmad said, and it is the opinion of Ishaaq.”

It is mustahabb (encouraged) to fast Taasoo’aa’ with ‘Aashooraa’

‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said: “When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) fasted on ‘Aashooraa’ and commanded the Muslims to fast as well, they said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, it is a day that is venerated by the Jews and Christians.’ The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, ‘If I live to see the next year, in sha Allaah, we will fast on the ninth day too.’ But it so happened that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) passed away before the next year came.” (Reported by Muslim, 1916).

Al-Shaafa’i and his companions, Ahmad, Ishaaq and others said: “It is mustahabb to fast on both the ninth and tenth days, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) fasted on the tenth, and intended to fast on the ninth.”

On this basis it may be said that there are varying degrees of fasting ‘Aashooraa’, the least of which is to fast only on the tenth and the best of which is to fast the ninth as well. The more one fasts in Muharram, the better it is.

The reason why it is mustahabb to fast on Taasoo’aa’

Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “The scholars – our companions and others – mentioned several reasons why it is mustahabb to fast on Taasoo’aa’:

1. the intention behind it is to be different from the Jews, who only venerate the tenth day. This opinion was reported from Ibn ‘Abbaas…
2. the intention is to add another day’s fast to ‘Aashooraa’. This is akin to the prohibition on fasting a Friday by itself, as was mentioned by al-Khattaabi and others.
3. To be on the safe side and make sure that one fasts on the tenth, in case there is some error in sighting the crescent moon at the beginning of Muharram and the ninth is in fact the tenth.”

The strongest of these reasons is being different from the People of the Book. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade imitating the People of the Book in many ahaadeeth, for example, his words concerning ‘Aashooraa’: ‘If I live until the next year, I will certainly fast on the ninth day.’” (al-Fataawa al-Kubra, part 6, Sadd al-Dharaa’i’ al-Mufdiyah ila’l-Mahaarim )

Ibn Hajar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said in his commentary on the hadeeth “If I live until the next year, I will certainly fast on the ninth day”: “What he meant by fasting on the ninth day was probably not that he would limit himself to that day, but would add it to the tenth, either to be on the safe side or to be different from the Jews and Christians, which is more likely. This is also what we can understand from some of the reports narrated by Muslim.” (Fath, 4/245).

Ruling on fasting only on the day of ‘Aashooraa’

Shaykh al-Islam said: “Fasting on the day of ‘Aashoraa’ is an expiation for a year, and it is not makrooh to fast only that day…” (al-Fataawa al-Kubra, part 5). In Tuhfat al-Muhtaaj by Ibn Hajar al-Haytami, it says: “There is nothing wrong with fasting only on ‘Aashooraa’.” (part 3, Baab Sawm al-Tatawwu’).

Fasting on ‘Aashooraa’ even if it is a Saturday or a Friday

Al-Tahhaawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) allowed us to fast on ‘Aashooraa’ and urged us to do so. He did not say that if it falls on a Saturday we should not fast. This is evidence that all days of the week are included in this. In our view – and Allaah knows best – it could be the case that even if this is true (that it is not allowed to fast on Saturdays), it is so that we do not venerate this day and refrain from food, drink and intercourse, as the Jews do. As for the one who fasts on a Saturday without intending to venerate it, and does not do so because the Jews regard it as blessed, then this is not makrooh…” (Mushkil al-Aathaar, part 2, Baab Sawm Yawm al-Sabt).

The author of al-Minhaaj said: “ ‘It is disliked (makrooh) to fast on a Friday alone…’ But it is no longer makrooh if you add another day to it, as mentioned in the saheeh report to that effect. A person may fast on a Friday if it coincides with his habitual fast, or he is fasting in fulfilment of a vow, or he is making up an obligatory fast that he has missed, as was stated in a saheeh report.”

Al-Shaarih said in Tuhfat al-Muhtaaj:

“ ‘If it coincides with his habitual fast’ – i.e., such as if he fasts alternate days, and a day that he fasts happens to be a Friday.

‘ if he is fasting in fulfilment of a vow, etc.” – this also applies to fasting on days prescribed in sharee’ah, such as ‘Aashooraa’ or ‘Arafaah. (Tuhfat al-Muhtaaj, part 3, Baab Sawm al-Tatawwu’)

Al-Bahooti (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “It is makrooh to deliberately single out a Saturday for fasting, because of the hadeeth of ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Bishr, who reported from his sister: ‘Do not fast on Saturdays except in the case of obligatory fasts’ (reported by Ahmad with a jayyid isnaad and by al-Haakim, who said: according to the conditions of al-Bukhaari), and because it is a day that is venerated by the Jews, so singling it out for fasting means being like them… except when a Friday or Saturday coincides with a day when Muslims habitually fast, such as when it coincides with the day of ‘Arafaah or the day of ‘Aashooraa’, and a person has the habit of fasting on these days, in which case it is not makrooh, because a person’s habit carries some weight.” (Kashshaaf al-Qinaa’, part 2, Baab Sawm al-Tatawwu’).

What should be done if there is confusion about the beginning of the month?

Ahmad said: “If there is confusion about the beginning of the month, one should fast for three days, to be sure of fasting on the ninth and tenth days.” (al-Mughni by Ibn Qudaamah, part 3 – al-Siyaam – Siyaam ‘Aashooraa’).

If a person does not know when Muharram began, and he wants to be sure of fasting on the tenth, he should assume that Dhoo’l-Hijjah was thirty days – as is the usual rule – and should fast on the ninth and tenth. Whoever wants to be sure of fasting the ninth as well should fast the eight, ninth and tenth (then if Dhoo’l-Hijjah was twenty-nine days, he can be sure of having fasted Taasoo’aa’ and ‘Aashooraa’).

But given that fasting on ‘Aashooraa’ is mustahabb rather than waajib, people are not commanded to look for the crescent of the new moon of Muharram as they are to do in the case of Ramadaan and Shawwaal.

Fasting ‘Aashooraa’ – for what does it offer expiation?

Imaam al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

“It expiates for all minor sins, i.e., it brings forgiveness of all sins except major sins.”

Then he said (may Allaah have mercy on him):

“Fasting the day of ‘Arafaah expiates for two years, and the day of ‘Aashooraa’ expiates for one year. If when a person says ‘Aameen’ it coincides with the ‘Aameen’ of the angels, he will be forgiven all his previous sins… Each one of the things that we have mentioned will bring expiation. If there are minor sins for which expiation is needed, expiation for them will be accepted; if there are no minor sins or major sins, good deeds will be added to his account and he will be raised in status… If he had committed major sins but no minor sins, we hope that his major sins will be reduced.” (al-Majmoo’ Sharh al-Muhadhdhab, part 6, Sawm Yawm ‘Arafaah).

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “Tahaarah, salaah, and fasting in Ramadaan, on the day of ‘Arafaah and on ‘Aashooraa’ expiate for minor sins only.” (al-Fataawa al-Kubra, part 5).

Not relying too much on the reward for fasting

Some people who are deceived rely too much on things like fasting on ‘Aashooraa’ or the day of ‘Arafaah, to the extent that some of them say, “Fasting on ‘Aashooraa’ will expiate for the sins of the whole year, and fasting on the day of ‘Arafaah will bring extra rewards.” Ibn al-Qayyim said: ‘This misguided person does not know that fasting in Ramadaan and praying five times a day are much more important than fasting on the day of ‘Arafaah and ‘Aashooraa’, and that they expiate for the sins between one Ramadaan and the next, or between one Friday and the next, so long as one avoids major sins. But they cannot expiate for minor sins unless one also avoids major sins; when the two things are put together, they have the strength to expiate for minor sins. Among those deceived people may be one who thinks that his good deeds are more than his sins, because he does not pay attention to his bad deeds or check on his sins, but if he does a good deed he remembers it and relies on it. This is like the one who seeks Allaah’s forgiveness with his tongue (i.e., by words only), and glorifies Allaah by saying “Subhaan Allaah” one hundred times a day, then he backbites about the Muslims and slanders their honour, and speaks all day long about things that are not pleasing to Allaah. This person is always thinking about the virtues of his tasbeehaat (saying “Subhaan Allaah”) and tahleelaat (saying “Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah”) but he pays no attention to what has been reported concerning those who backbite, tell lies and slander others, or commit other sins of the tongue. They are completely deceived.” (al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah, part 31, Ghuroor).

Fasting ‘Aashooraa’ when one still has days to make up from Ramadaan

The fuqahaa’ differed concerning the ruling on observing voluntary fasts before a person has made up days that he or she did not fast in Ramadaan. The Hanafis said that it is permissible to observe voluntary fasts before making up days from Ramadaan, and it is not makrooh to do so, because the missed days do not have to be made up straight away. The Maalikis and Shaafa’is said that it is permissible but is makrooh, because it means that one is delaying something obligatory. Al-Dusooqi said: “It is makrooh to observe a voluntary fast when one still has to make up an obligatory fast, such as a fast in fulfilment of a vow, or a missed obligatory fast, or a fast done as an act of expiation (kafaarah), whether the voluntary fast which is being given priority over an obligatory fast is something confirmed in sharee’ah or not, such as ‘Aashooraa’ and the ninth of Dhoo’l-Hijjah, according to the most correct opinion.” The Hanbalis said that it is haraam to observe a voluntary fast before making up any fasts missed in Ramadaan, and that a voluntary fast in such cases does not count, even if there is plenty of time to make up the obligatory fast. So a person must give priority to the obligatory fasts until he has made them up.. (al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah, part 28, Sawm al-tatawwu’).

Muslims must hasten to make up any missed fasts after Ramadaan, so that they will be able to fast ‘Arafaah and ‘Aashooraa’ without any problem. If a person fasts ‘Arafaah and ‘Aashooraa’ with the intention from the night before of making up for a missed fast, this will be good enough to make up what he has missed, for the bounty of Allaah is great.

Bid’ahs common on ‘Aashooraa’

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about the things that people do on ‘Aashooraa’, such as wearing kohl, taking a bath (ghusl), wearing henna, shaking hands with one another, cooking grains (huboob), showing happiness and so on. Was any of this reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in a saheeh hadeeth, or not? If nothing to that effect was reported in a saheeh hadeeth, is doing these things bid’ah, or not? Is there any basis for what the other group do, such as grieving and mourning, going without anything to drink, eulogizing and wailing, reciting in a crazy manner, and rending their garments?

His reply was:

‘Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds. Nothing to that effect has been reported in any saheeh hadeeth from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or from his Companions. None of the imaams of the Muslims encouraged or recommended such things, neither the four imaams, nor any others. No reliable scholars have narrated anything like this, neither from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), nor from the Sahaabah, nor from the Taabi’een; neither in any saheeh report or in a da’eef (weak) report; neither in the books of Saheeh, nor in al-Sunan, nor in the Musnads. No hadeeth of this nature was known during the best centuries, but some of the later narrators reported ahaadeeth like the one which says, “Whoever puts kohl in his eyes on the day of ‘Aashooraa’ will not suffer from eye disease in that year, and whoever takes a bath (does ghusl) on the day of ‘Aashooraa’ will not get sick in that year,” and so on. They also reported a fabricated hadeeth that is falsely attributed to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), which says, “Whoever is generous to his family on the day of ‘Aashooraa’, Allaah will be generous to him for the rest of the year.” Reporting all of this from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is tantamount to lying.’

Then he [Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him)] discussed in brief the tribulations that had occurred in the early days of this ummah and the killing of al-Husayn (may Allaah be pleased with him), and what the various sects had done because of this. Then he said:

‘An ignorant, wrongful group – who were either heretics and hypocrites, or misguided and misled – made a show of allegiance to him and the members of his household, so they took the day of ‘Aashooraa’ as a day of mourning and wailing, in which they openly displayed the rituals of jaahiliyyah such as slapping their cheeks and rending their garments, grieving in the manner of the jaahiliyyah… The Shaytaan made this attractive to those who are misled, so they took the day of ‘Aashooraa’ as an occasion of mourning, when they grieve and wail, recite poems of grief and tell stories filled with lies. Whatever truth there may be in these stories serves no purpose other than the renewal of their grief and sectarian feeling, and the stirring up of hatred and hostility among the Muslims, which they do by cursing those who came before them… The evil and harm that they do to the Muslims cannot be enumerated by any man, no matter how eloquent he is. Some others – either Naasibis who oppose and have enmity towards al-Husayn and his family or ignorant people who try to fight evil with evil, corruption with corruption, lies with lies and bid’ah with bid’ah – opposed them by fabricating reports in favour of making the day of ‘Aashooraa’ a day of celebration, by wearing kohl and henna, spending money on one’s children, cooking special dishes and other things that are done on Eids and special occasions. These people took the day of ‘Aashooraa’ as a festival like Eid, whereas the others took it as a day of mourning. Both are wrong, and both go against the Sunnah, even though the other group (those who take it as a day of mourning) are worse in intention and more ignorant and more plainly wrong… Neither the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) nor his successors (the khulafa’ al-raashidoon) did any of these things on the day of ‘Aashooraa’, they neither made it a day of mourning nor a day of celebration…

As for the other things, such as cooking special dishes with or without grains, or wearing new clothes, or spending money on one’s family, or buying the year’s supplies on that day, or doing special acts of worship such as special prayers or deliberately slaughtering an animal on that day, or saving some of the meat of the sacrifice to cook with grains, or wearing kohl and henna, or taking a bath (ghusl), or shaking hands with one another, or visiting one another, or visiting the mosques and mashhads (shrines) and so on… all of this is reprehensible bid’ah and is wrong. None of it has anything to do with the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or the way of the Khulafa’ al-Raashidoon. It was not approved of by any of the imaams of the Muslims, not Maalik, not al-Thawri, not al-Layth ibn Sa’d, not Abu Haneefah, not al-Oozaa’i, not al-Shaafa’i, not Ahmad ibn Hanbal, not Ishaaq ibn Raahwayh, not any of the imaams and scholars of the Muslims.’(al-Fataawa al-Kubra by Ibn Taymiyah)

Ibn al-Haaj (may Allaah have mercy on him) mentioned that one of the bid’ahs on ‘Aashooraa’ was deliberately paying zakaat on this day, late or early, or slaughtering a chicken just for this occasion, or – in the case of women – using henna. (al-Madkhal, part 1, Yawm ‘Aashooraa’)

We ask Allaah to make us followers of the Sunnah of His Noble Prophet, to make us live in Islam and die in a state of faith. May He help us to do that which He loves and which pleases Him. We ask Him to help us to remember Him and be thankful to Him, to worship Him properly and to accept our good deeds. May He make us of those who are pious and fear Him. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and all his family and companions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The beginning of a New Islamic Year

 
Saturday : 12/01/2008

This week marks the beginning of a new Islamic year, which was initiated after the Hijrah, or emigration, of Prophet Muhammad and which marked the formation of the first Muslim nation within an independent Islamic territory under the rule of Muslims.

The Muslims had no formal annual calendar until the caliphate of ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab . In the third or fourth year of his caliphate, ‘Umar received a message from Abu Moosa Al-Ash’ari who suggested that their future correspondence be confirmed with the appropriate date.

Therefore, ‘Umar gathered some of the surviving companions of the Prophet and consulted them on this matter. Some of them suggested adopting the Persian Calendar; others proposed adopting the Roman Calendar; others still proposed that the Muslims should form their own calendar and that it should start from the birth of the Prophet ; another group agreed but thought that the new Islamic Calendar should start from the day on which the Prophet embarked upon his mission; another group believed that this new Islamic Calendar should begin from the emigration of the Prophet while a final group believed that it should start from his death.

After a discussion, they   all agreed unanimously to adopt that the Islamic Calendar should start from when the Prophet emigrated from Makkah to Madeenah and that the first month of this new Calendar be that of Muharram. This is because Muharram is a sacred month and because it follows Thul-Hijjah which is the month in which the Muslims perform Hajj, or the pilgrimage, which is the last of the five pillars of Islam that was enjoined upon the Muslims.

Muharram also follows the month in which the Ansaar (the Madeenan supporters of the Prophet ) pledged allegiance to the Prophet which was prior to his migration to Madeenah. This pledge of allegiance was one of the introductory acts of the emigration itself and therefore Muharram was deemed the most suitable month to start the Islamic Calendar by the companions of the Prophet .

It is truly saddening that some Muslims have chosen to use the Gregorian Calendar instead of the Hijri calendar. The Gregorian calendar has no relation with Islam and although it has been in existence for longer than that of the Hijri Calendar, that is no excuse for the Muslims to adopt it. It is well known that the companions of the Prophet would hate that any Muslim would use the Roman or Persian Calendar.

We have just ushered in the new Hijri year. Allaah Says (what means): “Verily, the number of months with Allaah is twelve months (in a year) so was it ordained by Allaah on the day when he created the Heaven and the Earth; of them four are Sacred – that is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein…” [Quran 9: 36]

These are the months that Allaah has appointed for the whole of mankind. He, The Most Exalted, also Says (what means): “They ask you [O Muhammad], about the new moons. Say ‘They are measurements of time for the people and for Hajj (Pilgrimage].” [Quran: 189]

Therefore, we know that these months, based on the lunar calendar, were appointed for all of mankind and not just for the Arabs. This is due to the fact that the lunar months can very easily be detected and calculated by the sighting of the crescent-moon, which marks the end of the month and the beginning of a new one.
We are in the new Hijri year. It is not from the Sunnah to celebrate it or to congratulate one another on its advent. For the Muslims, the passage of years does not constitute a real cause of happiness; rather, what counts is the amount of time spent in obedience to Allaah during these years. The years that have passed will be considered as successful if they were spent in obedience to Allaah, and miserable if they were spent in disobedience of Allaah. Therefore, the most evil person is he who has lived a long life and has committed evil deeds throughout.

It is a must that we receive our days, months and years while in obedience to Allaah. We must bring ourselves to account, redeem ourselves from our bad deeds and duly perform our responsibilities towards our wives, children and relatives.

The advent of every new year is marked by many Muslims with sincere resolutions and plans to improve and become closer to their Lord, but the days and hours slip away while the people’s conditions remain the same, the inevitable result of such failures will be loss and disgrace in this world and the next. Therefore, we must invest our time in obedience to Allaah and make sure that our spiritual condition is improving from year to year; for the more time runs away from us, the closer we are drawing to our graves.

The improvements in our worldly lives do us absolutely no good if our spiritual lives are not improving at the same time. No one can attain honor and dignity without submitting to the Lord of the Worlds. Safety, tranquility and welfare cannot be attained except by adopting the methodology of the Messengers of Allaah, may Allaah exalt their mention. Be very clear that if any of you see welfare and pleasure accompanied with sins and deviation, then this is definitely a mere respite that has been given by Allaah ahead of a total ruin. Thus, we must all stand firm in the obedience of Allaah in order to protect ourselves from His punishment. Allaah, The Almighty Says (what means): “…And turn to Allaah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.” [Quran 24: 31]

Allaah has also favored certain months, days and nights more than others. The number of months is twelve, as decreed by Allaah when He created the heavens and the earth. Among these twelve are four sacred months, Thul-Qa’dah, Thul-Hijjah, and Muharram, which are successive and the month of Rajab that comes between Jumaada Al-Aakhirah and Sha’baan. The best day which the sun rises on is Friday and the night of Al-Qadr is more virtuous than a thousand months. Therefore, we must all esteem that which Allaah has magnified.

Muslim scholars maintain that the rewards for good deeds are multiplied in times and places which are favored by Allaah, and vice versa for bad deeds. The proof of this is from Allaah’s Saying (which means): “They ask you concerning the sacred month – about fighting therein. Say, ‘Fighting therein is great [sin], but averting [people] from the way of Allaah and disbelief in Him and [preventing access to] the Sacred Mosque [in Makkah] and the expulsion of its people therefrom are greater [evil] in the sight of Allaah. And fitnah [Polytheism and Disbelief] is worse than killing’. And they will continue to fight you until they turn you back from your religion if they are able. And whoever of you reverts from his religion [to disbelief] and dies while he is a disbeliever – for those, their deeds have become worthless in this world and the Hereafter, and those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.” [Quran 2: 217]
Muslims should not wrong themselves during the Sacred Months. They should stay well within the limits defined by Allaah, fulfill all His obligations, shun all His prohibitions and fulfill the rights of the people.

Hijrah Still Offers Valuable Lessons*

By Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi                                                                                              February 06, 2005

A new year begins. Islamic history is full of days and great occasions that are good to celebrate – taking from them that which guides us to the right path in difficult times.

The noble Hijrah from Makkah to Madinah is one of the grandest events in the history of Islam. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) gives us through the two migrations – the first Hijrah of the Muslims to Ethiopia and his own to Madinah, then called Yathrib – many lessons and examples. He teaches us that change requires hard work and sacrifice.

When the followers of the Prophet were harmed in Makkah and could find no one to champion them and feared sedition, the Prophet reviewed all the countries of the neighboring world for a place to command them to migrate to. If they went any region in the Arabian Peninsula they would be returned to Quraysh. Persia was overlooked because the Persians were idolaters, and the Romans, though people of the book, were known for being tough and tyrannical. The Prophet thought Ethiopia would be the best. He ordered the companions to migrate to Ethiopia. “Go to Ethiopia,” he told them, “there is a king there who is just.” This Hijrah was termed the migration to the abode of safety, while the migration to Madinah was termed the migration to the abode of belief.

We thus learn from the Prophet that when we plan for something we should make our plans considering all aspects of the situation. He planned for the method of travel, the provisions and who would lead the way. When everything was meticulously planned, he put his faith in Allah.

In the grand welcome the Prophet received upon arriving in Madinah we find lessons and examples. For the people of Madinah welcomed him and the immigrants with great hospitality, knowing that they would have to share with the immigrants their money and homes and become their family – for the immigrants had left their families behind in Makkah – and asked rewards only from Allah. In this way, the Prophet achieved brotherhood between the Ansar (helpers of the Prophet) and the Muhajirun (migrants), and they became an example of the depth of belief.

The lessons and examples in the life of the Prophet and the Hijrah to Madinah should not simply be seen as a historical story to enjoy reading or hearing but one that we should consider a model for our own actions, so that we may truly be one of his followers.

O! Lord, do not deny us the joy of looking upon Your noble face for our failings or the intercession of the Prophet or Heaven. * Excerpted with modifications from: www.aljazeerah.info.

Muharram The Start of the Islamic Calendar

Muharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar Hijrah Calendar. It is one of the four sanctified months mentioned in the Holy Quran ..
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Muharram: The Start of the Islamic Calendar
12/18/2009 – - Article Ref: IC0303-1877
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By: Muhammad Taqi Usmani
IslamiCity* –

 

Muharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar Hijrah Calendar. It is one of the four sanctified months about which the Holy Quran says, “The number of the months according to Allah is twelve months (mentioned) in the Book of Allah on the day in which He created heavens and the earth. Among these (twelve months) there are four sanctified”.

These four months, according to the authentic traditions are the months of Zulqadah, Zulhijjah, Muharram and Rajab. All the commentators of the Holy Quran are unanimous on this point, because the Holy Prophet in his sermon on the occasion of his last Hajj, has declared:

“One year consists of twelve months, of which four are sanctified months, three of them are in sequence; Zulqadah, Zulhijjah, Muharram, and the fourth is Rajab.”

The specific mention of these four months does not mean that any other month has no sanctity, because the month of Ramadan is admittedly the most sanctified month in the year. But these four months were specifically termed as sanctified months for the simple reason that their sanctity was accepted even by the pagans of Makkah.

In fact, every month, out of the twelve, is originally equal to the other, and there is no inherent sanctity, which may be attributed to one of them in comparison to other months. When Allah Almighty chooses a particular time for His special blessings, then it acquires sanctity out of His grace.

Thus, the sanctity of these four months was recognized right from the days of Sayyidina Ibrahim. Since the Pagans of Makkah attributed themselves to Sayyidina Ibrahim they observed the sanctity of these four months and despite their frequent tribal battles, they held it unlawful to fight in these months.

In the Shariah of our Holy Prophet the sanctity of these months was upheld and the Holy Quran referred to them as the “sanctified months”.

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

Fasting during the month

The Holy Prophet has said:

“The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are those of the month of Muharram.”

Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, yet, the one who fasts in these days out of his own will and choice is entitled to a great reward by Allah Almighty. The Hadith cited above signifies that the fasts of the month of Muharram are most reward-able ones among the Nafl fasts i.e. the fasts one observes out of his own choice without being obligatory on him.

The Hadith does not mean that the award promised for fasts of Muharram can be achieved only by fasting for the whole month. On the contrary, each fast during this month has merit. Therefore, one should avail of this opportunity as much as he can.

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 Abbas. The Holy Prophet , 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 Musa (Moses) and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously and the Pharaoh was drowned in its water.

On hearing this from the Jews, the Holy Prophet said, “We are more closely related to Musa than you” and directed the Muslims to fast on the day of Ashurah. (Abu Dawood)

It is also reported in a number of authentic traditions that in the beginning, fasting on the day of Ashurah was obligatory for the Muslims.

It was later that the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory and the fast on the day of ”Ashurah was made optional. Sayyidah Aishah has said:

“When the Holy Prophet came to Madinah, he fasted on the day of Ashurahh and directed the people to fast it. But when the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory, the obligation of fasting was confined to Ramadan and the obligatory nature of the fast of  Ashurah was abandoned. One can fast on this day, if he so wills, or can avoid fasting, if he so wills.”

However, the Holy Prophet used to fast on the day of Ashurah even after the fasting in Ramadan was made obligatory.

Abdullah Ian Masud reports that the Holy Prophet preferred the fast of Ashurah to the fast of other days and preferred the fast of Ramadhan to the fast of Ashurahh. (Bukhari and Muslim)

In short, it is established through a number of authentic hadith that fasting on the day of Ashurah is Sunnah of the Holy Prophet and makes one entitled to a great reward.

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

Some traditions signify another feature of the day of Ashurah.

According to these traditions one should be more generous to his family by providing more food to them on this day as compared to other days. These traditions are not very authentic according to the science of Hadith. Yet, some Scholars like Baihaqi and Ibn Hibban have accepted them as reliable.

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What is mentioned above is all that is supported through authentic sources about Ashurah.

However, there are some legends and misconceptions with regard to Ashurah 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:

This is the day in which Adam was created.

This is the day in which Ibrahim was born.

This is the day in which Allah accepted the repentance of Sayyidina Ibrahim.

This is the day on which the Qiyamah (dooms-day) will take place.

Whoever takes bath in the day of Ashurah will never get ill.

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 Ashurah. This practice, too, has no basis in the authentic Islamic sources.

Some other people attribute the sanctity of Ashurah to the martyrdom of Sayyidina Husain during his battle with the Syrian army. No doubt, the martyrdom of Sayyidina Husain is one of the most tragic episodes of our history. Yet, the sanctity of Ashurah cannot be ascribed to this event for the simple reason that the sanctity of ‘Ashurah was established during the days of the Holy Prophet much earlier than the birth of Sayyidna Husain.

On the contrary, it is one of the merits of Sayyidna Husain that his martyrdom took place on the day of Ashurah.

Another misconception about the month of Muharram is that it is an evil or unlucky month, for Sayyidna Husain 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 express teachings of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah. Such superstitions have been totally negated by the Holy Prophet . 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 Quran and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet 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 Sayyidna Husain.

As mentioned earlier, the event of Karbala is one of the most tragic events of our history, but the Holy Prophet has forbidden us from holding the mourning ceremonies on the death of any person. 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 stopped the Muslims from doing all this and directed them to observe patience by saying “Inna lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji oon”. A number of authentic hadith 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 Sayyidna Husain shortly before his demise, had advised his beloved sister Sayyidah Zainab 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 Sayyidna Husain 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 and his beloved grand child Sayyidina Husain.

Blessings of Muharram

It is the first month of the Islamic Calendar.

The meaning of the word:- The word “Muharram” means “Forbidden.” Even before Islam, this month was always known as a scared month in which all unlawful acts were forbidden, prominently the shedding of blood.

A blessing of Muharram:- There are many bounties of this month, especially the tenth of Muharram.

Two of the many virtues of the 10th of Muharram:-

On this day he who spends more lavishly for the sake of his family members, Allah Taala will bestow blessing upon the sustenance of the following year.

Abu Qataada has related that the Prophet has reported to have said, It is my thought that by fasting  on the 10th of Muharram Allah Taala will pardon the sins of the past  year. (Tirmizi)

Events of Muharram

Hadhrat Hussain was martyred in this month.

Shaykhain Tirmizi & Haakim has narrated from Anas that the following verse:

“Allah may forgive thee of thy sins that which is past and that which  is to come.” (Al-Fath) was revealed on the 10th of Muharram.

The Prophet Muhammed went to defeat Bani Muhaarin and Bani Tha’laba (Tribes of Bani Gatfan) in the year 4 A.H. (Asahhus-siyar)

Months of the Islamic Calendar: Their Meanings

By Muhammad Al-Qasim

 

Indeed, there are many causes behind naming months of the Islamic calendar as such. In what follows we will try to shed some light on some of those causes:

1. Muharram: is named so because the Arabs used to prohibit fighting during it.

2. Safar: is named so because the Arabs used to leave their homes during that month as they used to set out to fight their enemies. It is also said that they used to leave their homes to escape summer heat.

3. Rabi` al-Awwal: is named so because it usually coincides with the spring time.

4. Rabi` al-Akhar: is named so because it usually coincides with the winter time.

5. Jumada al-‘Ula: The Arabs named it so because water gets frozen at winter time, and that coincides with the time of Jumada al-‘Ula.

6. Jumada al-‘Ukhra: is named so because it coincides with winter time.

7. Rajab: is derived from the Arabic word ‘rajaba’ which means to ‘sanctify’ something. The Arabs used to sanctify the month of Rajab by putting a halt to fighting during that month.

8. Sha`ban: The Arabic word Sha`ban is derived from the word ‘tash`aba’, which means to go in different directions. It is said that Sha`ban takes such a name because the Arabs used to go in different directions fighting their enemies.

9. Ramadan: The word Ramadan is derived from ‘Ar-ramda’ which refers to extreme heat. Ramadan time used to coincide with that extreme climate of heat in the Arab Peninsula, and that is why it is called Ramadan.

10. Shawwal: The name Shawwal is derived from the Arabic word ‘tashawwala’, which refers to the scarcity in she-camels’ milk.

11. Dhul-Qi`dah: refers to Arabs decline to go out fighting their enemies as the early Arabs used to call it a sacred month.

12. Dhul-Hijjah: is named so because the Arabs used to perform Hajj during that month.

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