“Surely the reckoning of months, in the sight of Allah, is twelve months, laid down in Allah’s decree on the day when He created the heavens and the earth; and out of these months four are sacred…[Qur’an, 9: 36]
Ever since the creation of the universe, the moon unfailingly has appeared every month as a crescent and completed its full cycle ending with its disappearance from the sky. As a result of these cycles, twelve months have always constituted a year. The four months referred to in the Qur’an (Q, 9: 36) and spelled out by the Prophet Muhammad SAW are: Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab (Bukhari). All religious codes of the past Prophets agree on the sanctity of these four months considered commendable for heightened reverence. Act of worship during these months are more reward-worthy than in other months. Under these codes, waging wars was prohibited during these months. Being the followers of Prophet Ibrahim, the Arabs observed a truce during the three consecutive months to allow safe passage to travelers for Hajj, and in Rajab for Umrah.
The Islamic lunar year begins with Muharram and ends with Dhul-Hijjah. Among the four sacred months, Muharram is especially significant as many historic events with lasting impact occurred on the 10th day of this month, known as ‘Ashura. The Qur’an and the Prophet’s numerous narrations shed light on the magnitude of this day. On this day, the Ark of Prophet Noah came to rest on Mount Judi (narration reported by Imam Ahmad). Prophet Musa and those with him were saved on this day and Pharaoh and his pursuing army were drowned at the same time. The Quraysh of Mecca, who were the followers of Prophet Ibrahim, used to fast on this day. In keeping with that tradition, the Prophet SAW too used to fast even before his Prophethood (narration reported by Imam Malik). According to some narrations, fasting on ‘Ashura used to be obligatory. It became optional when fasting in Ramadan was prescribed in 2 AH. Prophet’s wife Aisha narrates: “Allah’s messenger ordered (Muslims) to fast on the day of ‘Ashura, and when fasting in the month of Ramadan was prescribed, it became optional for one to fast on that day or not.” [Bukhari]
Fasting in the month of Muharram, says the Prophet SAW, is the best fast after Ramadan: “The best of fasting after Ramadhan is fasting Allah’s month of Muharram.” [Muslim] Prophet’s companion Abu Hurairah says: “I asked the Prophet: ‘Which prayer is the best after the obligatory prayers?’ He said: “Prayer during the middle of the night;” I asked: ‘Which fasting is the best after that of Ramadan?’ He said: “The month of Allah that you call Muharram.” [Muslim] ‘Ashura is a day full of Allah’s mercy and fasting on this day is a means of having sins forgiven. Companion Abu Qatadah Ansari narrates that the Messenger of Allah was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah. He replied: “Fasting on the day of Arafah is expiation for the preceding year and the following year.” He was also asked about fasting on the day of ‘Ashura. He replied: “Fasting on the day of ‘Ashura is expiation for the preceding year.” He was also asked about fasting on Monday, and he replied: “This is the day on which I was born and the day on which I received revelation.” [Muslim]
Muslims don’t celebrate New Year, but fasting on ‘Ashura is a Sunnah of the Prophet SAW as supported by numerous narrations. When he migrated from Mecca to Medina, 622 AC, he found the Jewish community fasting on the 10th of Muharram. Upon inquiry, he was informed that they were so doing because Prophet Musa had fasted this day in gratitude to Allah SWT for saving him and his people (Israelites) this day from the Pharaoh and instantaneously drowning him (Pharaoh) and his army in the Red Sea. Thereupon the Prophet, SAW said: “I am closer to Musa than they are.” [Bukhari] So, he observed the fast on that day and instructed the followers to fast as well, specifically in gratitude to Allah SWT for the liberation of people from a tyrant. This day witnessed a decisive victory of virtue over evil and the struggle of a Prophet to demolish an iron enclave incarcerating a particular class of people seen as inferior for their race and religion. Fasting on ‘Ashura is to revive the legacy of Prophet Musa and to inspire the struggle of unshackling from all forms of persecution.
In the 10th year of his stay in Medina, the Prophet SAW said: “If I live next year I will fast on both the 9th and 10th of Muharram as we should fast differently from the Jews community.” [Tirmidhi, Muslim] Though soon thereafter he passed away, his companions followed his advice and started fasting on both days. Islamic scholars think that fasting on the 10th and 11th instead is also in line with the intent. Fasting on just the 10th is still full of rewards for those who cannot fast for two days. From the fiqh point, however, this is a nafl (optional) ibadah (worship); not an obligation.
Incidentally, the day of ‘Ashura also coincides with the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his family. Mind-bogglingly, a shattering and colossal episode of atrocities broke loose upon a figure of his stature that now unjustly casts a thick cloud on Islam’s transcendental veracity and its endurance so early in its history. Primarily, it raises questions about the actions of some of the companions of the Prophet SAW; and secondarily, it lends itself to a looming notion in its appearance, at least in the minds of some unaware of history, that fasting on ‘Ashura is an expression of joy by the culprits who had unleashed a carnage on the Imam Hussain and his family, and killed most of them so mercilessly.
There is no question that the examples of perverted individuals replete with vicious tendencies, greed for fame and power, and vindictive motives, in violation of all norms of morality and tenets of their own faith, can be found in every generation, not to exclude the periods of the divinely appointed Messengers. The tragedy of Imam Hussain was deplorable, unconscionable and inexcusable. The latter conjecture, however, is a little too farfetched and without merit. Despite historical evidence, the rationale behind fasting on ‘Ashura is presumptuously misjudged and propelled unwisely. It is inadvertently consequential in being detrimental to the healing of a fractured community of faith.
It has been presented above that fasting on ‘Ashura is a Sunnah of the Prophet SAW instituted by him more than five decades before the horrendous episode of Imam Hussain. This Sunnah is well established and widely practiced, not as an expression of joy, rather a token of gratitude to Allah SWT in keeping with the Sunnah of Prophet Musa and reinforced by the Prophet Muhammad SAW.
Ironically, in keeping with the Prophet’s practice, even some of those who were so barbaric toward Imam Hussain might have been fasting on the same day. Obviously their religious practices were not driving or causing their ferocious behavior. They were driven by their evil political calculations in total disregard for what Islam stands for. It is like a person who is regular in salat (prayer), yet is a habitual liar. While there is no correlation between the two attributes, it may be concluded that the salat, in this case, has no bearing on this person’s personal character.
Of course, Imam Hussain had a commitment to the integrity of the Islamic political system and he stood up to defend it under the most compelling and confounding circumstances. In the line of duty, as he had conceptualized, he did not hesitate to sacrifice whatever he had, including his family and own life. He, thus, occupies a glorious place in Islamic political history as a towering persona of those who died so that Islam could live. His legacy lives forever as a source of direction, hope, and struggle for the cause that never dies. No doubt, the episode of Imam Hussain is one of the most tragic incidents of our history. His struggle stemmed from his understanding of the Islamic political system and its capitulation before his own eyes by those who had seized the power unjustly and had brazenly decimated the noble concept of the Caliphate his grandfather had instituted just half a century earlier.
In the Islamic system of governance, the basic legislative framework has been provided by Allah SWT. People need only to choose by consensus a righteous person of honorable character, disciplined, competent, and committed to implementing the laws that govern a Muslim society. Such a person is not sovereign; he is subservient to Allah SWT with unyielding loyalty to Him and to His Rule. Once elected, he is answerable to people for his actions and must relinquish power when asked.
The vision of the Islamic State was injected by the Prophet SAW himself. He established the first pluralistic Islamic State in Medina after the conquest of Mecca in 8 AH and governed it as its head by being a Prophet. Despite ample opportunity, he passed away without naming his successor. There cannot be a more striking example of implementing a democratic tradition of succession in leadership than this practice of the Prophet SAW. He set the record and gave a clear direction to his followers that, in Islam, leadership is neither hereditary nor an appointed position. He left that office open intentionally, allowing people to exercise their right to choose their leader. This precludes any form of government as un-Islamic in character which is based on the demise of the doctrine of Shura (mutual consultation), such as monarchy, dictatorship or self-imposed rule.
In contrast, in an authoritarian system, the ruler uses the government apparatus, its resources and operatives as tools to stay in power by suppressing the voices of reason, crushing the opposition, and rooting out any likely dissent to his authority. The power is used to stay in power. This perverted instinct drives the whole machinery; no interest in diligently governing or improving the conditions of the society, not even in keeping it from crumbling. Tragically, this is what has happened to the concept of the Caliphate in Islam. Within half a century, after the death of the Prophet SAW, all Islamic democratic norms, processes, and the method of choosing a leader by consensus were abrogated and self-rule was imposed against the will of the people. This set the stage for political corruption in Muslim societies and continues to deepen in most of them still. Today, the worst enemies of Islam are the illegitimate Muslim rulers, most being subservient to their foreign masters who criminally install them in power. They are corrupt to their core, squander vast public resources, deprive citizens of their civil liberties, and dismantle all democratic norms and institutions Islam seeks to advance.
During that turning point in the Islamic political history, Imam Hussain stepped up fearlessly and mounted a campaign of resistance against the illegitimate regime and in favor of a shura-based democratic Islamic State. He stood up to the establishment and preferred over complacency to sacrifice his life and the lives of his loved ones in defense of the divine rule – Shariah or shura-based political system. The horrendous massacre took place in Karbala on Friday, Muharram 10, 61 AH (October 10, 680 AC) and a chapter of Muslim history was written at the expense of the ultimate cost of standing for the Truth. Surely and superbly he carved his lasting place among the heroes of Islam.
For those who have reached the level of conviction of what they believe, no sacrifice is too big to offer and no pain is too much to bear. Yet they feel humbled, grateful, and honored for the opportunity granted by Allah SWT that elevates them to be among His chosen and those near Him. Right from the beginning, the followers of Islam had to struggle to live by the principles of their faith and have been tested in various ways. Adam’s son Abil got killed, for the same reason, by his brother Qabil. Prophet Ibrahim became the icon of Tawheed and sacrificed for it, who Allah SWT ultimately granted the title of ‘The Moral Leader of Mankind’ until the end and dedicated the 10th of Dhul Hijjah in his honor to observe his legacy and revive the spirit of his sacrifice. There is no higher honor Allah SWT has ever granted to anyone. Then there are many heroes in every generation who have championed the same cause in different ways, at different levels, and under different circumstances. They have become the beacon of guidance and inspiration for millions. Today, Islam lives on intact as Allah’s promise and will continue to do so with or without. Being a part of this process is an honor.
The best way to celebrate the legacy of a leader is to revive the purpose he lived for and the spirit of sacrifice for the cause he endured. What makes a person outstanding is the purpose he is committed to advancing the enhancement of society, not to seek glory or elevate his own status. All Islam’s champions relished the same purpose: Strive with all that you have in pursuit of Allah’s pleasure by conducting day-to-day life by divine guidance and serving His cause of unifying humanity under His Sovereignty. We may not succeed in our mission (most do not and have not, including many Prophets); but it is the process that matters in Islam, not the outcome. Islam is forgiving and forward-looking. After the peaceful takeover of Mecca, the Prophet SAW magnanimously forgave his stanch enemies without tarnishing their dignity. He displayed his vision, wisdom, and the nobility of his mission. In response, they instantly joined him with their hearts and souls to carry the peaceful message of Islam around the globe. Soon they became the moral leaders of the world.
In essence, do your duty with moral excellence without getting distracted by what others do or do not do. The Qur’an reminds repeatedly one will be questioned for the deeds of others: “…Everyone will bear the consequences of what he does, and no one shall bear the burden of another…” [Q, 6: 164] Each must mind their own deeds and excel in reshaping the society for the better. We must respect Muharram as one of Allah’s sacred months which inspires to rise to the challenge. We cannot rewrite history, but surely we can learn lessons from it. There must be some awakening that: Divided us fall and garroted one by one due to our own weakness and deviance from Islam. With unity of purpose, we hang in together and our internal conflicts transform into diversity for richness and exuberance: “Hold fast together to Allah’s cord (code) and let nothing divide you…” [Q, 3: 103]. We must march forward unified for higher goals and strive to exceed those who sacrificed everything they had so that we could cherish and advance a just and noble society under the rule of Allah SWT.
Islamic Point of View 