BaKhabar, December 2011, Page-3

better light a candle than curse the darkness

BaKhabar, Vol 4, Issue 12, December 2011

Muharram: Do’s and Don’ts

* Muharram is one of the four sacred Months out of twelve. The other months being Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Rajab. These four months have been sacred since the creation of universe – as told by Allah in the Qur’an in Surah Taubah.
* Muharram is a sacred month NOT because the grandson of Prophet Muhammad صلّى الله عليه وسلّم was martyred in this month. It is sacred because Allah made it sacred along with three other months and told us about it in the Quran.
Facts about Ashurah – The 10th of Muharram:
* Fasting on the 10th Muharram, i.e. Ashura, was obligatory on the Muslims before the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory.
* Fasting on the 10th of Muharram expiates the sins of the previous year.
* Musa عليه السلام and the Bani Israel were saved from the Pharaoh by the parting of the sea on 10th Muharram.
* Prophet Musa عليه السلام as a sign of gratitude to Allah used to fast on the day of Ashura and Jews did the same.

* Prophet Muhammad صلّى الله عليه وسلّم on hearing the fast of Musa عليه السلام also ordered the Muslims to fast on this day and himself did the same.
* Prophet Muhammad صلّى الله عليه وسلّمdecided to fast on 9th Muharram as well to differentiate from the Jews but he passed away before he could do so.
Misconceptions about Ashura:
* This is the day Prophet Adam عليه السلام was created
* This is the day when Allah accepted the repentance of Adam
* This is the day when Ibrahim عليه السلام was born.
* This is the day the Qayamat (doomsday) will occur.
* Whoever takes bath on the day of Ashura will never get ill.
* Muharram is an evil or unlucky month (due to the battle of Karbala)
* Marriages should not be held in Muharram.
All of the above are misconceptions based on unauthentic traditions. This misconception can be easily removed by the fact that on the exact same day Husain رضي الله عنه was martyred, years ago Prophet Musa عليه السلام and his followers were saved from Pharaoh, which is why Prophet Muhammad صلّى الله عليه وسلّم observed the fast on Ashura and ordered the Muslims to do the same. The day can not be lucky and unlucky at the same time.
Historical Facts about Muharram:
* Caliph Umar al Farooq رضي الله عنه succumbed to his injuries and attained Martyrdom on the 1st of Muharram, 23 AH (After Hijri)
* Grandson of Prophet Muhammad صلّى الله عليه وسلّم Hussain ibn Ali رضي الله عنه along with most of his family members was martyred in the desert of Karbala in Iraq on the 10th of Muharram.
Authentic Ibadah (Worship) of Muharram:
* Fasting in Muharram (any day)
* Fasting on 10th Muharram and combining it with the fast of 9th Muharram to distinguish from the Jews.
Innovations and things to avoid in Muharram:
* Preparing special dishes in Muharram.
* Holding lamentation and mourning ceremonies in the memory of martyrdom of Sayyidna Husain رضي الله عنه
* Cursing the companions.

All these are deviant practices which go against the basic teachings of Quran and Prophet Muhammad صلّى الله عليه وسلّم He said “He is not from our group who slaps his checks, tears his clothes and cries in the manner of the people of jahiliyyah.” (Sahih Bukhari)
Sayyidna Husain رضي الله عنه before his demise advised his beloved sister Sayyidah Zainab رضي الله عنها not to mourn over his death in this manner. He said, “My dear sister! I swear upon you that in case I die you shall not tear your clothes, nor scratch your face, nor curse anyone for me or pray for your death.” (Al-Kamil, ibn Kathir vol. 4 pg. 24)
It is evident from this advice of Sayyidna Husain رضي الله عنه 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, صلّى الله عليه وسلّم and his beloved grand child Sayyidna Husain رضي الله عنه.

OUR JOURNEY TO THE DAY OF RESURRECTION, PART-VI … Continued from previous issue.

.... By Gheyas S Mahfoz Hashmi, Jeddah (hgheyas@albatool.com.sa)

In previous issue QIYAMAT was the topic of discussion whereby we started telling about 3 Trumpets. Here is its continuation.
Previous: Part-1 || Part-2 || Part-3 || Part-4 || Part-5

And the Trumpet will be blown, and all those who are in the heavens and all who are on the earth will swoon away, except him whom Allah wills. Then, it will be blown the second time, and behold they will be standing, looking on (waiting). And the earth will shine with the light of its Lord, and the book will be placed (open), and the Prophets and the witnesses will be brought forward, and it will be judged between then with truth, and they will not be wronged. (Quran, 39:68-70)

The 1st Trumpet is named as Nafakha Alfaz (Al-Naml/87) which will terrify all the creatures except those whom Allah Almighty does not want. The 2nd Trumpet is known as Nafakhah Assaque (Az-Zumar/68) which will swoon (faint) away all the creatures except those whom Allah Almighty will not wish. The 3rd is Nafkha Al-Hashr or Al-Qiaymah or An_Nashr which will bring them standing in front of Allah Almighty. The first two are same but occasions are twice. Everyone will be greatly distressed with the sound of 1st Trumpet except those whom Allah does not want to be terrified. They will get unconscious from 2nd Trumpet due to its velocity, i.e. all the living beings will die and the soul of the dead will be comatose except those whom Allah does not desire; and they are four angels (Gabriel, Michael, Israfil and Malakul-Mout) as it is narrated in “Durr Al-Manthour” (they will be spared). Hamlatul Arsh (Angels bearing the Throne of Allah Almighty) are also included, according to some scholars, who would not lose conciousness; but later, they will also die as per Imam Ibn Kathir (for which there is no clear proof in the scriptures, however).

The linguistic meaning of “Hashr” is Collection and Gathering. The Quran says, And they esteem not Allah as He has the right to be esteemed, when the whole earth is His handful on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens are rolled in His right hand. Glorified is He and High Exalted from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him)”. (Alzumr/67). Prophet (SAW) said:
Allah will take the whole earth into His fist and will roll heavens in his right hand and then will say: Today I am the only King. Where are those who used to claim in the world that they are Kings?
.... Bukhari at the authority of Abu Horairah (R.A.). According to another Hadith,
Allah will say: I am a Real King, where are the Superior, Arrogant and Snobbish?
While describing this, the prophet (SAW) used to close and open his fingers with the seriousness of emotion. The narrator says that having seen the bottom part of the dais, I was fearing the dais would be broken and the prophet (S) will fall down.

In the Mahshar, the dealing with the Soul will not be similar to that in Aalam-e-Barzakh. Instead, the creatures will be resurrected with due body. They all will come there nude; as they were born, but the difference is that they would be youthful in Mahshar. In one narration, Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, related that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said :"Mankind will be gathered on the Day of Judgment, barefoot, naked, uncircumcised, and having nothing with them." I said," O messenger of Allah, will men and women be together looking at each other?" He said, "O Aisha, the occasion will be too grave and terrifying for them to be at ease to look at each other." (Bukhari).

… to be continued, insha-Allah.