What are the virtues of Muharram

THE VIRTUE OF THE MONTH OF ALLĀH, AL-MUHARRAM

Abu Hurayrah said that ALLAH'S Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The best fast after Ramadān is in the month of ALLĀH, al-Muharram, and the best prayer after the obligatory one is the night prayer."

In another narration, "The prayer in the middle of the night." {Muslim #1163}

This hadith is evidence for the virtue of fasting in the Month of ALLĀH, al-Muharram, and that its virtue follows the virtue of the month of Ramadān. The virtue of fasting during it comes from the virtue of its time and the greatness of the reward for acts done during it and because fasting is one of the greatest actions with ALLĀH, the Most High. It is also evidence that voluntary salah in the middle of the night is better than voluntary şalah in the daytime.

The Month of ALLĀH, al-Muharram, is the month which begins the hijrī year. It is one of the sacred months which ALLĀH mentioned in HIS Book. The Most High said,

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ذَلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنْفُسَكُمْ

"Verily, the number of months with ALLĀH is twelve, so it was ordained by ALLĀH on the day when HE created the heavens and the earth; of which four are sacred. That is the right religion, so do not wrong yourselves therein." {At-Tawbah: Verse 36}

Abū Bakrah (may ALLĀH be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "...The year is twelve months, from them four are sacred; three are consecutive: Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah and al-Muharram, and Rajab of Mudar which is between Jumādā and Sha'ban." {Al-Bukhārī #4662 and Muslim #1679}

ALLĀH, the Most High, attached this month to HIMSELF to show its attached honor and greatness. It is not authentic that the Prophet (ﷺ) attached any month to ALLĀH, the Most High, except al-Muharram. It is called al-Muharram to confirm its sacredness because the Arabs used to switch it around, treating it as sacred one year and not others.

The Most High's statement,

فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنْفُسَكُمْ

(So do not wrong yourselves therein,) means: in these sacred months, because sins in them are intensified and more serious than in other months.

Ibn 'Abbas (may ALLĀH be pleased with them) said: "Indeed, ALLĀH made sins in them greater, as well as righteous deeds and their rewards greater." {Ibn Jarir 10/126}

Qatādah said: "Indeed, wrong-doing in the sacred months is a greater offense and sin than wrong-doing in other than them; though wrong-doing in every situation is great. But ALLĀH enhances what HE wills." {Ibn Jarir 10/127}

Included in wrong-doing is: a person wronging himself by associating partners with ALLĀH, the Most High, or by abandoning obligations, committing prohibitions, being careless regarding salāh or failing to attend Jumu'ah and congregational prayers.

{Taken from: Ahadith about the Tens Days of Dhul-Hijjah and the Days of Tashriq, Rulings and Manners || Page 62-64}

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