Muharram-ul-Haraam is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is the month of extreme greatness and blessings, especially the 10^th of this month, that is, Ashura day. This day has been given extraordinary importance in Islam. The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم observed fast himself on this day and also commanded blessed companions رَضِىَ اللّٰەُ عَنْهُم to observe fast on this day. (Derived from: Sahih Bukhari, vol. 1, pp. 656, Hadees 2004)

Even before Islam people would respect this day and would observe fast on this day. We should also fast on Ashura day (10^th Muharram-ul-Haraam) and should perform acts of worship abundantly. A few virtuous deeds which are performed on Ashura day are being mentioned below so that we can be persuaded to practise them.

Fast of Ashura erases sins

The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has said: I hope from the mercy of Allah Almighty that the fast of Ashura erases the sins of one year before it. (Sahih Muslim, pp. 454, Hadees 2746)

Deed of Ashura night

When the night of Ashura comes, perform this deed: Offer four Nafl on the Ashura night; in every Rak’at after Surah Al-Fatihah, recite Ayat-ul-Kursi 1 time and complete Surah Al-Ikhlas (قُلْ ھُوَ اللّٰەُ اَحَدٌ) 3 times. After completing the Salah recite Surah Al-Ikhlas 100 times. By virtue of its blessing, you will be purified of sins and will get many great blessings in Paradise. (Jannati Zaywar, pp. 157, amended)

Prescription for increasing sustenance

The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰەُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has said: One who spends generously on his children on the 10^th Muharram, Allah Almighty will give him much the whole year. Sayyiduna Sufyan رَحْمَةُ اللّٰەِ عَلَيْه has said: We acted upon the blessed Hadees and found the same. (Mishkat-ul-Masabih, vol. 1, pp. 365, Hadees 1926)

Virtues of Ashura day

Islamic scholars have written 10 things to be Mustahab on Ashura day: (1) Keeping fast (2) giving Sadaqah (3) offering Nafl Salah (4) reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas (قُلْ ھُوَ اللّٰەُ اَحَدٌ) one thousand times (5) beholding Islamic scholars (6) stroking the head of an orphan (7) to spend generously on family (8) performing Ghusl (9) Applying kohl (10) clipping nails (11) paying a visit to sick people (12) reconciling with enemies. (Jannati Zaywar, pp. 158, summarised)

Send Sawab to the martyrs of Karbala

On Ashura day, Sayyiduna Imam Husain رَضِىَ اللّٰەُ عَنْهُ sacrificed his blessed life along with his companions رَضِىَ اللّٰەُ عَنْهُم for the sake of serving Islam. So on this day, we should also arrange Quran Khuwani, do Zikr, recite Durood, give donations and Niyaz (provide food to Muslims).

1 In Muharram-ul-Haraam 14 AH, the beloved father of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رَضِىَ اللّٰەُ عَنْهُ, Sayyiduna Abu Qahafah ‘Usman Bin ‘Aamir Qarashi رَضِىَ اللّٰەُ عَنْهُ passed away.

2 In Muharram-ul-Haraam 16 AH, the Kaneez (maid) of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰەُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, Sayyidatuna Mariyah Qibtiyyah رَضِیَ اللّٰەُ عَنْهَا passed away.

3 On 1^st Muharram-ul-Haraam 24 AH, the burial of the second caliph, Ameer-ul-Mu`mineen Sayyiduna ‘Umar Farooq-e-A’zam رَضِىَ اللّٰەُ عَنْهُ took place.

4 On 10^th Muharram-ul-Haraam 61 AH, the grandson of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللّٰەُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, Sayyiduna Imam Husain رَضِىَ اللّٰەُ عَنْهُ and his companions were martyred.

5 On 2^nd Muharram-ul-Haraam 200 AH, the 9^th Shaykh-e-Tareeqat of the Qadiriyyah Razawiyyah spiritual chain, Sayyiduna Shaykh Ma’roof Karkhi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰەِ عَلَيْه passed away.

6 On 1^st Muharram-ul-Haraam 632 AH, founder of the Suharwerdiyah spiritual chain, Sayyiduna Shaykh Shahabuddin Abu Hafs ‘Umar Siddeeqi Suharwerdi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰەِ عَلَيْه passed away.

7 On 5^th Muharram-ul-Haraam 664 AH, the great leader of the Chishtiyyah spiritual chain, Sayyiduna Baba Fareeduddin Mas’ood Ganj-e-Shakar رَحْمَةُ اللّٰەِ عَلَيْه passed away.

8 On 14^th Muharram-ul-Haraam 1402 AH, son of A’la Hadrat, the grand Mufti of India, ‘Allamah Maulana Muhammad Mustafa Raza Khan Noori رَحْمَةُ اللّٰەِ عَلَيْه passed away.