Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram: -
Muharram is one of the four sacred months in which Muslims are
specifically supposed to perform more good deeds and refrain for evil
actions. The 10th day of Muharram is known as Ashura. This day has
immense significance in Islam. It is because of the important events that took
place on this day.
Day of Ashura and the Battle of Karbala: -
On the 10th day of Muharram the fierce battle of
Karbala took place between a small group of righteous men and a large army of
powerful and strong but astray force. The righteous group was led by Hazrat
Imam Hussain (RA) the beloved grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The group
consisted of his family including women and minor young children and some
friends. The powerful army was led by Yazid who was the Umayyid Caliph. Ruthlessly
the forces of Yazid stopped water supply to the group of Hazrat Imam Hussain
for three days. Hazrat Imam Hussain and his son were martyred while the women
in his family were taken as captives.
Significant events that took place on the Day of Ashura: -
There are many other significant events in the history of
Islam that took place on Ashura. It was the day of Ashura when Hazrat Moosa and
the people of Israel were saved from the wrath of Pharaoh and his men. Allah
drowned Pharaoh and his army in the river Nile on the day of Ashura.
Hazrat Nooh’s ark came to rest at the mountain of al-Judi on the
day of Ashura. Hazrat Adam (AS) was also forgiven by Allah on the day of
Ashura. People of Hazrat Younus (AS) were forgiven by Allah on the 10th
of Muharram. Hazrat Ayub (AS) recovered from his illness on the day of Ashura.
There is great reward for doing good deeds on the day of
Ashura. According to a hadith, if a person spends bigheartedly on his family on
the day of Ashura, Allah will shower his blessings and bounties upon the person
for the rest of the year. Similarly, one hadith tells that giving charity on
the day of Ashura earns the reward of giving charity for the whole year. This shows
the significance of the day of Ashura and how much reward Allah has kept for
doing good on this day.
Fasting on the Day of Ashura: -
When prophet Muhammad (PBUH) came to Medina he observed that
the Jews of Medina keep fast on the 10th of Muharram. When enquired
them, they said Hazrat Moosa (AS) fasted on this day to show gratitude to Allah
for saving them from the Pharaoh. Hence, the Jews carried this tradition from
thereon. Prophet Muhammad said to the Muslims that they have more right over
carrying the tradition Of Hazrat Moosa (AS) than the Jews so he ordered Muslims
to fast on the day of Ashura. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was very particular about
fasting on the day of Ashura. He said:
“For
fasting the day of ʿĀshūra, I hope that Allāh will accept it as expiation for
the year that went before.”
Conclusion: -
All these events that took place on the 10th of Muharram
indicate the significance of the day of Ashura in Islam. It is also evident
from the Sunnah that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was particularly very keen about engaging
in worship, fasting and good deeds on this day. So much so that before Allah
made fasting in the month of Ramadan obligatory, it was as though fasting on
the day of Ashura is obligatory. So Muslims all over the world are advocated to
understand the true essence and significance of the day of Ashura. Not just
that, it is important to pay reverence and tribute to this day as it is ought
to by engaging in good deeds and worship of Allah.
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