The status of Shabbir (Imam Hussain (as)) will rise even higher in the night
O Khana e Kaaba, your Hajj too will be fulfilled
Mustafa (saww) is saying to the Prophets, "Do not worry,
Shabbir (as) has arrived, now everyone will be blessed.
The First Month of the Islamic Year
Muharram-ul-Haram or Muharram is the first month of the lunar year. Warfare is forbidden (Haram) in this month, which is why it is called Muharram1۔
After the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as), this month became a month of mourning (Aza) for his Shias and lovers. Since that time, the Infallible Imams (Ahl-ul-Bayt) and their followers all over the world, wherever they may be, arrange mourning ceremonies extensively during this month.
The Manner of Grief of the Ahl-ul-Bayt (as) Upon the Arrival of Muharram
Imam Raza (as) states:
’’ فَعَلی مِثلِ الحُسَینِ فَلیَبکِ الباکونَ؛ فإنَّ البُکاءَ علَیهِ یَحُطُّ الذُّنوبَ العِظامَ. ثُمَّ قالَ علیه السلام: کانَ أبی علیه السلام إذا دَخَلَ شَهرُ الُمحَرَّمِ لا یُری ضاحِکا، وکانَتِ الکَآبَهُ تَغلِبُ علَیهِ حَتّی تَمضِیَ عَشرَةُ أیّامٍ، فإذا کانَ یَومُ العاشِرِ کانَ ذلکَ الیَومُ یَومَ مُصیبَتِهِ وحُزنِهِ وبُکائهِ، و یَقولُ: هُوَ الیَومُ الَّذی قُتِلَ فیهِ الحُسَینُ علیه السلام‘‘
Crying should be for those like Hussain (as); indeed, weeping for him sheds great sins. "Then he added: "As soon as the month of Muharram began, no one would see my father smiling. Signs of grief and distress would overcome him until ten days had passed. When the tenth day (Ashura) arrived, that day would be the day of his tragedy, sorrow, and weeping, and he would say: 'Today is the day on which Hussain (as) was martyred2۔
Etiquettes of the Month of Muharram
There are specific etiquettes and customs for this month, which we will describe through the words of scholars.
Mirza Jawad Milki Tabrayzi writes in his book Al-Muraqabat: It is proper for those who love the family of the Holy Prophet (saww) that during the first ten days of this month, the signs of grief and sorrow should be visible on their outer appearance and inner self. They should abstain from certain lawful pleasures, especially on the 9th and 10th of Muharram, and maintain a state similar to the grief felt after the passing of a loved one. During the first ten days of this month, they should remember their Imam by reciting Ziyarat Ashura every day3۔
Furthermore, according to the Grand Marajay (religious authorities), the etiquettes of Muharram are as follows:
- Establishing Mourning Congregations (Majalis-e-Aza): It is appropriate for the followers of the Ahl-ul-Bayt (as) to grandly organize mourning congregations for Aba Abdillah (as) during the month of Muharram, where speakers and scholars discuss the virtues and life of the Ahl-ul-Bayt (as), especially introducing the youth to these gatherings.
- Wearing Black Attire: Since wearing black clothing during the mourning of Imam Hussain (as) serves to glorify religious symbols, its discouragement (Karahat) is removed. Instead, it falls under recommended acts (Istehbab) and becomes a means of fulfilling the reward of the Prophethood. For this reason, children, youth, and the elderly should all attend the congregations of Imam Hussain (as) wearing black clothes.
- Propagation of Religion (Tableeg-e-Deen): During the mourning ceremonies of Imam Hussain (as), speakers (Zakireen and Khutabaa) should bring listeners closer to the school of thought of the Ahl-ul-Bayt (as) through their speeches, using the Quran and the Hadiths of the Infallibles.
Deeds (A'maal) of the Month of Muharram
- Sighting the Crescent: When the crescent of Muharram is sighted, it is recommended to say the Takbeer (Allah o Akbar) and, if possible, recite the detailed supplication narrated by Sayyid in the book Iqbal al-A'mal4۔
- First Night of Muharram: Perform a 100-rak'ah prayer, recited in units of two rak'ahs each, reciting Surah Al-Hamd and Surah Al-Ikhlas in every rak'ah. It is narrated from the Messenger of Allah (saww) that whoever performs this prayer and fasts on the first day of Muharram is like someone who spent the entire year doing good deeds, will remain protected from tribulations until the coming year, and if they pass away, they will enter Paradise5۔
- First Day of Muharram: Fasting on this day is recommended. Imam Raza (as) said: "Whoever fasts on this day and asks God Almighty for their need, their prayer will be answered." On this very day, Prophet Zakariya (as) prayed to God for a child, and God accepted it by granting him Prophet Yahya (as)6۔
- Supplication of the Prophet (saww): It is narrated from Imam Ali bin Musa Al-Raza (as) that the Noble Massenger (saww) would perform a two-rak'ah prayer on the first day of Muharram, and after the prayer, he would raise his hands and recite this supplication three times: اَللّهُمَّ اَنْتَ الاِْلهُ الْقَدیمُ، وَ هذِهِ سَنَةٌ جَدیدَةٌ، فَاَسْئَلُکَ فیهَا الْعِصْمَةَ مِنَ الشَّیْطانِ،۔۔۔7۔
- Fasting in the First Ten Days: The late Sheikh Tusi states that fasting during the first ten days of Muharram is recommended. However, on the day of Ashura (10th Muharram), one should abstain from eating and drinking but should not keep a formal fast. When the time of Asr (late afternoon) arrives, one should consume a small amount of food, because fasting on that day was a practice of the Umayyads, who fasted as a sign of gratitude for the event of Karbala8۔
In conclusion, we pray that Almighty Allah grants all mourners the strength to observe the mourning rituals to the fullest, and through this, offer condolences to the daughter of the Prophet (saww) (Bibi Fatima as) and her progeny. Ameen.
Reference
1Al-Masudi, Muruj al-Dhahab, 1409 AH, Vol. 2, p. 188
2Amali of Shaykh al-Saduq, p. 128, Hadith 2
3Al-Muraqibat fi A‘mal Shahr Muharram al-Haram
4Iqbal al-A‘mal, p. 545
5Iqbal al-A‘mal, p. 552
6Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 44, p. 285
7Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 95, p. 333
8Misbah al-Mutahajjid, p. 771
