Muharram: The First Islamic Month
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Muharram (المحرم) is the first month of the Islamic calendar and one of the four sacred months in which fighting was prohibited in pre-Islamic and Islamic tradition. Allah says: 'Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve months in the register of Allah from the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred' (Quran 9:36). The Prophet said: 'The best fasting after Ramadan is in the month of Allah, Muharram' (Sahih Muslim 1163).
The Day of Ashura
The 10th of Muharram is the Day of Ashura. When the Prophet arrived in Madinah, he found the Jews fasting on this day because Allah saved Musa and the Children of Israel from Pharaoh. The Prophet said: 'We are more worthy of Musa than you,' and he fasted on that day and commanded fasting (Sahih al-Bukhari 2004). He also said: 'If I live until next year, I will fast the ninth as well' (Sahih Muslim 1134), recommending fasting on the 9th and 10th together to distinguish from the Jewish practice.
Virtue of Fasting Ashura
The Prophet said: 'Fasting the Day of Ashura, I hope that Allah will accept it as expiation for the previous year' (Sahih Muslim 1162). Scholars note that this expiation covers minor sins only; major sins require sincere repentance.