Last year I researched the month of Muharram and realised how great of a month it really is.  Why?  Well, it’s called ‘The Month of Allah’, which sounds impressive in itself, but it also has a number of perks that give everybody the opportunity to make a big difference in connecting with Allah.  It’s almost like a life line thrown out to all of us who have messed up after Ramadhan, or maybe didn’t take advantage of it as we should have.  However, it’s here now and it’s worth knowing why it’s a big deal so we can start the Islamic new year on a good note.

There are FOUR things to remember that make it clear why this month can be a saviour and also a stepping stone in getting closer to Allah… if we realise it’s potential.

1) Fasting.  Fasts in this month are the best after Ramadhan.

It is reported from Abu Hurayra (RA), that the Prophet (SAW) said , “The best of fasts after the month of Ramadan are in the Month of Allah, which you call Muharram. And the best of prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer.” [Muslim]

2)  Ashura.  It contains the great day of Ashura, which if fasted atones for the sins of the previous year, a perfect way to lighten the scales with regards to bad deeds.  Which will be the 27th of December 2009, so make a note.

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was asked about fasting on the Day of Ashura. He answered: “It atones for the sins of the preceding year.” [Muslim]

3) Charity.  charity given on this day is as if you’ve given charity for a whole year.

It has been reported from Abd Allah ibn `Amr ibn al-`As (Allah be pleased with him), that “Whoever fasts `Ashura’ it is as if he has fasted the entire year. And whoever gives charity this day it is like the charity of an entire year.” [Imam Ibn Rajab: Kitab: Lata'if al-Ma`arif fi ma li Mawasim al-`Am min al-Wadha'if]

4)  Forgiveness.  It’s a great month for the forgiveness of our mistakes.

It is a day in which Allah forgave an entire people. The Prophet (SAW) said to a man, “If you want to fast a month after Ramadan, then fast Muharram, for it has a day in which Allah forgave an entire people, and He turns to others in repentance in.” [Tirmidhi]

That’s a summary of our great month.  For more on the Muharram or the issue of Imam Hussain  see:  Muharram and Ashura