Muharram

I've been slacking in writing my blog lately but in my defence I had exams which only finished on Monday. So now that I am free and have alot more time inshallah you will be reading alot from me. Christmas is always a busy time whether you celebrate it or not, I don't for those of you wondering. Tomorrow I have my work Christmas do, we will be going to the Paramount Restaurant at the top of the Centre Point Tower. We've been promised a great view and even better food, have a look at the link below to see pictures of the breathtaking view at night.

http://www.paramount.uk.net/#/restaurant/viewinggallery/


On a more serious note tomorrow is the day of Ashura, the 10th day in the month of Muharram.

Muharram is a sacred month for all Muslims for a number of reasons, firstly it is the first month in the Hijri calendar (Islamic Calendar) and secondly it was reported by Abu Bakr, may Allah SWT be please with him;

"The year is twelve months of which four are sacred, the three consecutive months of Dhu'l-Qa'dah, Dhu'l- Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab." [Reported by al-Bukhari, 2958]

Being Muslims we all believe in the day of Judgement and without a doubt there will come a time when we will all wish that we had done more good deeds, fasting on the 9th and 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th of Muharram is an easy way to gain more brownie point with Allah SWT.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, spoke about the voluntary fasting on the day of Ashura;

"It expiates the sins of the preceeding year." [Saheeh Muslim]

Ibn 'Abbas, may Allah SWT be pleased with him, reported;

"The Prophet, peace be upon him, came to al-Madeenah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura. He asked them about why they were fasting. They replied, "This is a good day, a day on which Allah SWT rescued Baani Israel from their enemy, it is when Musa and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously and the Pharoah was drowned in its water. So Musa observed a fast on this day." The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "We have more claim over Musa than you." So the Prophet, peace be upon him, observed fast on that day and ordered the Muslims to observe fast on that day too." [Saheeh al-Bukhari, Muslim]

Ibn 'Abbas, may Allah SWT be please with him, also reported;

"The Messenger of Allah fasted on the day of Ashura and ordered the people to fast too. The people said, "Oh, Messenger, it is a day that the Jews and Christians honour." The Prophert, peace be upon him, answered, "When the following year comes- Allah willing- we shall fast on the ninth." The death of the Prophet, peace be upon him, came before the following year." [Saheeh Muslim, Abu Dawood]

So it actually recommended to fast on the 9th and 10th of Muharram.

There are a number of things, such as voluntary fasts we can do in order to increase our good deeds, remember Islam isn't meant to be difficult. In fact Allah SWT provides us with avenues and opportunities every day to increase our reward and bring us that one step closer to Jannah, InshAllah!