The Month of Muharram
The Month of Muharram
Muharram is not only the 1st month of the Islamic Calendar but also called ‘The month of Allah’ and Optional (Nafil) fasting during this month is considered the most rewarding after the month of Ramadan. This is evident from the following Sahih Hadith:
"‘The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said: “The best fasting after the month of Ramadan is the month of Allah, Al-Muharram.”’
(An-Nasai: 1613)
Also, Muharram is one of the four sanctified months of the year. As Allah Says in Quran:
“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred.”
The four months mentioned in the Ayah are the months of Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab. This is evident from the words of Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) on the occasion of his last Hajj sermon:
“The year is of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred: Three are in succession Dhul-Qa' da, Dhul-Hijja and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab.”