The conventional meaning of Ashura in the Shariah refers to the 10th of Muharram-ul-Haraam. In his distinguished book, “Ghuniyatut Taalibeen”, Sayyiduna Ghaus-ul-Azam, Sheikh Abdul Qaadir Jilani (radi Allahu anhu) writes that the Ulema have a difference of opinion, as to why this day is known as Ashura. Since the reason has been explained in various ways, the consensus of the majority of the Ulema is that it is known as Ashurah because it is the 10th day of Muharram, while certain Ulema say that from the sacred days that Almighty Allah blessed the Ummat-e-Muhammadi with, this day is the 10th most important day, and it is for this reason that it is known as Ashurah. (Ghuniyatut Taalibeen)
Significant Events concerning Ashurah
With the exception of the Martyrdom of Sayyiduna Imam-e-Hussain (radi Allahu anhu) there are also various other incidents which occurred on Yaum-e-Ashurah. It is also for those reasons that this day has received such excellence. In his internationally renowned Kitaab, “Nuzhatul Majaalis”, Sayyiduna Sheikh Abdur Rahman Safoori (radi Allahu anhu) explains the following important events which took place on Yaum-e-Ashurah:
1. It was on this day that the Skies earth and the Lauw-e-Qalam came into existence.
2. It was on this day that Sayyiduna Adam (alaihis salaam) and Sayyiduna Hawa were created.
3. Sayyiduna Adam’s (alaihis salaam) Tauba was accepted.
4. Sayyiduna Nooh’s (alaihis salaam) Ark came on land.
5. Sayyiduna Ibrahim (alaihis salaam) received the status of Khaleelullah.
6. Sayyiduna Yaqub (alaihis salaam) met Sayyiduna Yusuf (alaihis salaam) after 40 years.
7. Sayyiduna Idrees (alaihis salaam) was raised into the skies.
8. Sayyiduna Ayub (alaihis salaam) regained his health.
9. Sayyiduna Yunus (alaihis salaam) was released from the stomach of the fish.
10. Sayyiduna Dawud’s (alaihis salaam) Tauba was accepted.
11. Sayyiduna Sulaiman (alaihis salaam) received his Kingdom.
12. Sayyiduna Esa (alaihis salaam) was raised into the skies.
13. Sayyiduna Muhammad Mustapha (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) made Nikah to Sayyiduna Bibi Khadija (radi Allahu anha).
14. It is on this day that Qiyamat will occur.
The Salaah of Yaum-e-Ashurah
The Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustapha (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has stated, “That person who performs four rakaats of Salaah on the day of Ashurah in this way, that he reads the entire Sura Ikhlaas (Qulhuwal laa) 11 times after Sura Fatiha in every rakaat, then Almighty Allah will forgive fifty years of his sins, and he will blessed with a Mimbar (pulpit) of Noor.” (Nuzhatul Majalis, Vol.1, Pg. 181)
The Fasting of Yaum-e-Ashurah
To keep fast on the day of Ashurah is worthy of great reward. The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) used to even fast on this day and He used to also command others to fast on this day. It is recorded in “Sahihain” from Sayyiduna Abu Moosa Ash’ari (radi Allahu anhu) that the Jews used to respect the day of Ashura and they also rejoiced on this day. The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) commanded, “You too should fast in this day”. In one Hadith of “Muslim”, it is recorded that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said, “On the day of Ashurah, the People of Khaibar keep fast, rejoice and dress their wives in good clothes and jewellery. O Muslims! You too should fast on this day.”
Sayyiduna Qatadah (radi Allahu anhu) reports that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has stated, “On the day of Ashurah I hope that through this (Ashurah) Almighty Allah will make it a means of Kafaara for past sins.” (Mishkat Shareef, Pg. 179)
In the year 10 A.H., when the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was keeping the fast of Ashurah, the Sahaba-e-Kiraam (ridwaan nulahi ta’ala ajma’in) requested, “This is that day which is honoured by the Jews and Christians.” The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said, “If I am here next year, then I shall also fast on the 9th (of Muharram).” (Mishkat Shareef, Pg. 179) If is for this reason that we should not only fast on the tenth, but also on the ninth of Muharram-ul-Haraam.
Important A’maal (practices) on Yaum-e-Ashurah
1. It is recorded in “Tafseer Roohul Bayaan” that the person who stays awake on the night of Ashurah gains the Sawaab of the Mala’ikah.
2. The Masha’ikh have stated that by making Ghusl on this day, the sicknesses for the entire year are washed away.
3. Shaami in “Kitaabus Saum” states that using surma on this day will not cause they eye to pain for the entire year.
1. According to Tirmizi Shareef, Sayyiduna Jabir (radi Allahu anhu) reported: I saw Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) in his Farewell Pilgrimage on the Day of Arafat while he was riding on the camel, Qaswa, to deliver the sermon. I heard him say, “O People! I have left among you something which if you adhere to, you will never be misguided – the Book of Allah and my progeny (the People of my House)”.
2. It is also reported in Tirmizi Shareef: Sayyiduna Zain bin Arqam (radi Allahu anhu) reported that Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said to Sayyiduna Ali, Bibi Fathima, Sayyiduna Hasan and Sayyiduna Husain (radi Allahu anhuma), “I am at war with those who fight with them, at peace with those who remain in peace with them”.
3. In another Hadith from Tirmizi Shareef: Sayyiduna Ya’la bin Murrah (radi Allahu anhu) reported that Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Husain is from me and I am from Husain. Allah loves him who loves Husain. Husain is a descendant out of my descendants”.
4. It is stated in Sunan Imam Ahmad: Sayyiduna Abu Zarr (radi Allahu anhu) reported while holding the door of the Kaaba, “I heard Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) say, ‘The parable of the People of my House among you is the parable of the Ark of Noah. Those who got on it were safe, and whoso remained behind were destroyed”.
5. It is stated in Sunan Baihaqi: Sayyiduna Ummul Fazl (radi Allahu anha), daughter of Harith, reported: I went to Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and said, “O Rasoolullah! I have seen a horrible dream tonight”. He asked, “And what is it?” She said, “I saw a piece of your flesh had been cut off and placed in my lap”. Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said, “You had seen good. If Allah Wills, Fathima will give birth to a son who you will nurse”. Then, Sayyiduna Fathima (radi Allahu anha) gave birth to Sayyiduna Husain and he was under my nurse just as Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) had said. One day, I went to the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and placed the child on his lap. Thereafter, his look was fixed towards me and both his eyes were shedding tears. I said, “O Prophet of Allah! By my father and mother! What is the matter with you?” He said, “Jibrael came and informed me that my followers will soon kill this grandson of mine”. I asked, “Him?” He said, “Yes, He brought some earth to me out of his red earth”. (i.e. from the sands of Karbala)
According to the Kitaab, “Thareek-ul-Khulafa”, ten miraculous events were recorded about the time of the Shahaadah of Sayyiduna Imam Husain (radi Allahu anhu). These events were also included on pages 46 and 47 of the Kitaab, “Karamaat-e-Sahaba”, by Molvi Ashraf Ali of Thana Bhavan.
It is stated in “Thareek-ul-Khulafa” by Imam Jalaluddin Suyuti (radi Allahu anhu) that, “When Sayyiduna Imam Husain (radi Allahu anhu) was martyred, for seven days the following conditions prevailed on earth:-
1. When the sun rose each day, there was a constant shroud of redness covering the earth as if the sun’s rays came out in the form of a lifeless blanket.
2. There was a continuous scene of stars colliding with each other in the skies.
3. His martyrdom took place on the 10th of Muharram 60 A.H. and on this day there was a total eclipse of the sun.
4. From about six months prior to his martyrdom, a strange redness enveloped the horizon of the skies, which gradually disappeared, and such a phenomenon was never witnessed again.
5. On the day of his martyrdom, beneath every stone in Baitul Muqaddas, there appeared fresh blood.
6. Grass and straw that was used in the oppressor’s army (i.e. Yazid’s army) had all suddenly turned to burnt out ashes.
7. The oppressor’s army had slaughtered a female camel to feed the soldiers. From the meat of this slaughtered animal, sparks of fire began to fly all the time.
8. When the meat of the slaughtered camel was cooked, it turned out to be bitter and poisonous.
9. One person who spoke ill about Sayyiduna Imam Husain (radi Allahu anhu) was punished by Almighty Allah in such a way that he was hit by two falling stars from the sky which diminished his power of sight progressively.
10. Regarding the conditions of these days (of martyrdom), Sayyiduna Abu Na’eem (radi Allahu anhu) states in his Kitaab, “Dala’il”, that Sayyiduna Umme Salma (radi Allahu anha) narrated that when Sayyiduna Imam Husain (radi Allahu anhu) was martyred, the Jinns were heard to wail and weep openly in expression of their grief.”
Shaik Abdul Ghouse Ahmed
On 27/12/2009 at 3:09 PM
AL Hamdulilah
today at baday didi's home,
we have done Fathe…
May allah bless the best of the best Janna and Comfort for our Beloved Prophet Sallellahu Alaihi wassallam his family, sahaba, Sardar of our UMMAH Hazrath Hassan and Hussain Radiallahu tala anahu, and their companions in karabala.. ameen