1. Muharram’s Practices and Du’as

August 14, 2020 August 17, 2020

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آداب شهر المحرم

Adaab Shahrul Muharram

Muharram’s Practices and Du’as

Handouts:

Print for First day of Muharram – Dua for the Beginning of the Hijri Year
Print for the Day of ‘Ashura (10^th of Muharram) – Ashura’s Adab and Practices
Print to recite on Day of Ashura – Names of 72 Shuhada (Martyrs) of Karbala
lessings of Muharram and ‘Ashura
Ahadith of Fasting in Muharram and ‘Ashura

Important Events in Muharram:

1^st of Muharram – Islamic New Year – Hijrah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Madinatul Munawera (City of Light), Marking the beginning of Islamic Calendar
1^stof Muharram – Shahada (Martyrdom) of Amirul Mumineen Umar Farooq (as) – Second Khalifa (Deputy) of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)
10^th of Muharram (61 AH) – The day of ‘Ashura – Martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as) (Grandson of Sayyidina Muhammad (ﷺ) – 3^rd Holy Imam) and his holy family
14^th of Muharram – Birthday of Shah Bahauddin Naqshband (Q) (Shaykh of Naqshbandi Tariqa)
25^thof Muharram (95 AH) – Martyrdom of Imam ‘Ali Zain ul ‘Abideen(as) (as) Son of Imam Hussain (as) and 4^th Holy Imam

Immense Blessings of Muharram

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic Hijri Lunar Calendar. It is the Islamic New Year, marking the important event of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) move from Makkah to Madinatul Munawera. Muharram is also one of the four sacred months of the year, in which fighting is forbidden.

Some significant events of Muharram are as follows:

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) migrated from Makkah to Madina Sharif in Muharram
Imam ‘Ali (as) laid down in prophet (ﷺ)`s place to sacrifice himself and make it possible for Prophet (ﷺ)`s to go to Madina
Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) went to the Cave in the way to Madina with his companion Abubakr Siddiq in Muharram. This event is mentioned in Holy Quran, Surat at Tawbah (9:40).
Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) arrived in Madinatul Munawera on the Day of ‘Ashura.
Imam Hussain(as) entered Karbala and established camp on the second day of Muharram

إِلَّا تَنصُرُ‌وهُ فَقَدْ نَصَرَ‌هُ اللَّـهُ إِذْ أَخْرَ‌جَهُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُ‌وا ثَانِيَ اثْنَيْنِ إِذْ هُمَا فِي الْغَارِ‌ إِذْ يَقُولُ لِصَاحِبِهِ لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ مَعَنَا ۖ فَأَنزَلَ اللَّـهُ سَكِينَتَهُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَيَّدَهُ بِجُنُودٍ لَّمْ تَرَ‌وْهَا

Illa tansuroohu faqad nasarahullahu idh akhrajahul ladheena kafaro thaniya ithnayni idh huma fil ghari idh yaqolu lisahibihi la tahzan inna Allaha ma’ana, fa anzalAllahu sakeenatahu, ‘alayhi wa ayyadahu, bi junodin lam tarawha …”

“If you do not aid the Prophet – Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved had driven him out [of Makkah] as one of two, when they were in the cave and he said to his companion, “Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us, And Allah sent down his tranquility upon him and supported him with angels you did not see… ” (Holy Quran, Surat at Tawbah -The Repentance 9:40)

The Significance of Muharram to the Naqshbandi Spiritual Path

Muharram is also a month of great importance to Naqshbandis. Our Master and Imam of the Tariqah [Master of Naqshbandi Sufi Path] Shah Bahauddin Naqshband (qaddas Allahu sirrah) was born on the 14^th of Muharram. It is thus important and most desired that his followers congregate on the eve of this holy day for Khatm and Dhikr, read the Mawlid un Nabi (Praises on Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in dedication to Mawlana Shah Naqshband, and read excerpts from his saintly life.

It is a tradition and practice of Sultan al Awliya Shaykh ‘Abdullah al Daghistani (qaddasallahu sirrah) to make Qurban (sacrifice) two sheeps on the day of ‘Ashura and distribute the meat to the poor and needy. He also did this on the birthday of Shah Naqshband (qaddasallahu sirrah).

Historical Significance of

The Day of ‘Ashura for All Nations

’Ashura is the 10^th day of holy month of Muharram. It is a day of great historical significance in which many Prophets and their nations were saved.

On the day of ‘Ashura:

It was on this day that the Skies earth and the Lauw-e-Qalam came into existence.
On this day Sayyidina Adam (AS) and Sayyidatina Hawa (Eve) were created.
Sayyidina Adam (as) was forgiven by Allah (aj) after his exile from Paradise;
Sayyidina Nuh (as) and his companions in the ark were saved by Allah (aj).
Sayyidina Ibrahim (as):Allah extinguished the fire in which Sayyidina Ibrahim (as) was thrown by Nimrod.
Allah (swt) spoke directly to Sayyidina Musa (Moses) (as) and gave him the Commandments.
Also on this day, the sea was departed for Sayyidina Musa (as) and the nation of israel was saved from captivity, and Pharoah’s army was destroyed.
Sayyidina ‘Isa (Jesus) (as) was raised to Jannah on the day of ‘Ashura.
Sayyidina Muhammad (ﷺ) was given the City of Light (Madinatul Munawera) on the day of ‘Ashura

Sayyidina Ayyub (as) ‘s health was restored (from leprosy).
Sayyidina Yusuf (as) was reunited with his father Ya’qub (as) after 40 years.
Sayyidina Yunus (Jonah) (as) was taken out from the belly of the fish.
Sayyidina Dawud (as) was forgiven.
The kingdom of Sayyidina Sulaiman (as) was restored.
Sayyidina Muhammad (ﷺ) married Sayyidatina Khadija (as).
Sayyidina Imam Hussain(as) [the Holy Prophet’s (ﷺ), grandson] achieved the honor of Martyrdom in the battle of Karbala 61 AH (Oct 10, 680 AD) with his 72 family and Companions

Worship Allah (swt) as much as you can on ‘Ashura. Whoever fasts on this day is like one who fasts all his life. Whoever clothes a naked person Allah (swt) will release him from a painful punishment. He who visits a sick person, Allah (swt) will grant him a reward that will not be decreased. Whoever places his hand on an orphan’s head, or feeds a hungry person or gives water to a thirsty person, Allah will feed him a feast from Paradise and will quench his thirst with Salsabil (a wine that does not intoxicate). And who ever makes ghusl (shower) on this day will enjoy excellent health and freedom from sickness and laziness. Whoever provides generously for his family on this day, Allah (swt) will be generous to him throughout this year. And whoever applies kohl to his eyes will never suffer from eye-sore again, insha’Allah al-’Aziz. “

Fasting in Muharram

It is recommended to fast as many days as possible in the holy month of Muharram as mentioned below in Ahadith of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), especially fast the following holy days:

1st of Muharram – Islamic New Year
9th of Muharram – Night (preceding) of ‘Ashura
10^th of Muharram – Yawm al ‘Ashura
14^th of Muharram – Birthday of Shah Bahauddin Naqshband (Q)
Three day; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, [preferably on the first 10 days of Muharram]

Ahadith Regarding Fasting in Muharram and ‘Ashura

The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadan is the fast during Allah’s month of Muharram and the best of Salaats besides the Fardh (obligatory Salaat) is the Tahajjud Salaah (performed after midnight). (Sahih Muslim).

Narrated from Ibn al’Abbas (radiAllahu ‘Anhu) that the Prophet (SallAllahu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever fasts the last day of Dhul Hijjah and the first day of Muharram, he completes a whole year’s worth of fasting in that previous year, and Allah gives him penance for fifty [50] years.”

Narrated from Anas (ra) that the Prophet (saw) said, “Whoever fasts the first Friday of Muharram Allah will forgive his preceding sins, and whoever fasts three days of Muharram – Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Allah will write for him worship and prayers for nine hundred [900] years.”

Narrated from ‘Aisha Umm al Mu’mineen (ra) (mother of the believers) that the Prophet (SallAllahu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever fasts the first ten days up till ‘Ashura, he will inherit the Paradise al-Firdaus.”

In another hadith the Prophet (SallAllahu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said, “Distinguish yourselves from (others) by fasting either the day before ‘Ashura or the day after it as well.” (Some scholars especially recommends to fast the day before Ashura (9^th of Muharram)

Fasting of ‘Ashura is Sunnah Mu’akkadah, that which is highly desired. Prophet (SallAllahu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever fasts the ‘Ashura (10^th Muharram), Allah will write for him a thousand [1000] wishes and a thousand years of age, and will grant him the reward of a thousand martyrs, and will write for him the reward of Isma`il (as), and writes for him seventy [70] palaces in paradise, and makes his flesh forbidden from the hellfire.”

In another hadith the Prophet (SallAllahu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever fasts the ‘Ashura, he will be granted the reward of a thousand angels. And whoever recites “Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad” a thousand [1000] times on the day of ‘Ashura, Allah will glance at him with the Eyes of Mercy, and will write him from amongst the Siddiqqin [The Truthful].”

Practices of the Day of ‘Ashura آداب عاشورا

Print the following for the Day of ‘Ashura

1. Shower
Take the Sunnah shower on the day of ‘Ashura

2. Wear the Kuhl
Wearing kuhl on your eyes and you will not suffer sickness in that year except the illness of death.

3. Read four Rak’at Sunnah,

In each rak’at, recite 1 Surat al Fatiha
11 X recite Surat al Ikhlas(112^th Chapter of Holy Quran)

If you Pray these 4 rak’at, Allah will forgive your sins of fifty years, and will build for you a
pulpit of light.

4. Recite the Du’as of ‘Ashura:

a) 70X Recite

حَسْبُنَا اللَّـهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ. نِعْمَ الْمَوْلَىٰ وَنِعْمَ النَّصِيرُ ‌

Hasbun Allahu wa ni’mal wakeel, ni’mal Mawlaa wa ni’man Naseer.

Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs. The very best master and the very best help

b) 7X Recite:

سُبْحَانَ اللَّـهُ مِلْءَ لْمِيْزَانْ وَمُنْتَهَى العِلْمَ، وَمَبْلَغَ الْرِضَا، وَزِنَةُ الْعَرْش، لَا مَلْجَاءَ وَلَا مَنْجَا مِنَ اللهِ اِلَا اِلَيْهِ. سُبْحَانَ اللهِ عَدَدَ شَفِيعْ وَالْعَرْشِ، وعَدَدَ كَلِمَاتِ رَبِّنَا التَامَّاتِ كُلِهَا. أَسْأَلُكَ السَّلَامَةَ، بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينْ. وَلَا حَوْلَه وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَا بِاللهِ الْعَلِيِ الْعَظِيْمِ. وَهُوَ حَسْبُنَا اللَّـهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ. نِعْمَ الْمَوْلَىٰ وَنِعْمَ النَّصِيرُ.‌ وَصَل اللهُ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَلَي آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ اَجْمَعِينْ

SubhanAllahu mil al Mizan wa muntaha ‘ilma, Wa mablaghal rida, Wa zinatul ‘arsh. La malja-a wa la manja minAllahi illa ilayhi. SubhanAllahi ‘adada shaf’i wal ‘arshi, Wa ‘adada kalimati Rabbina taammati kulliha. As alukas Salamata, bi Rahmatika Ya Arhamar Rahimeen. Wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahil ‘Aliyyil ‘Azheem. Wa huwa hasbun Allahu wa ni’mal wakil, Ni’mal Mawla wa ni’man Naseer. Wa Sallallahu ‘ala Sayyidena Muhammadin wa ‘ala alihi wa sahbihi ajma’in.

Glorious is Allah, as much as what is in His great scale, and as far as His knowledge extends, and to such a degree as it attains His pleasure, and to whatever weight may be His Throne; there is no refuge and no safety from Allah except in Him. Glorious is Allah, (He is declared so) as many as there be even (numbers) and as many as there be odd, and as many as there be perfect words of His; glory be to Him for them all. We ask of You (our Lord) for safety, by Your mercy, O You who is the most merciful of all those who show mercy. Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs. The very best master and the very best help! And there is no power and no strength except in Allah, the High, the Great! May the grace of Allah, the Exalted, be upon our Master Muhammad and upon his family and his companions. And upon the believers men and women, and upon those who submit (in Islam), as much as there be atoms in existence and as much as there be things known to Allah; and all praise is due to Him, Lord of the Worlds.

5. Daily Adab of Naqshbandis:
on the day of ‘Ashura, about an hour before the azaan of Maghrib
Sit facing the qiblah and finish the Daily Adab/Awrad of Naqshbandi tariqah

6. Read the Names of 72 Shuhada, Martyrs of Karbala in English

7. Muraqabah (Spiritual Connection)
Then make Tawassul with Sayyidina Imam Hussain (as) and the Shuhadaye Karbalah (martyrs of Karbala), whom on that day were martyred with Imam Hussain (as) and those who were with him. May Allah’s blessings be upon them all.

8. Ihda (Gift) after Iftar (breaking fast)
After breaking your fast, dedicate the blessings and rewards of your fast and daily Awrad upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, for the oceans of secrets that open on the 14^th of Muharram, which is Mawlana Shah Bahauddin Naqshband’s Birthday.

Naqshbandi Related Events:

1^st of Muharram – Birthday of Shaykh Khas Muhammad Shirwani (Q) (33^rd Shaykh of Naqshbandi Golden Chain)
9^th of Muharram – Urs (Passing) of Shaykh Qasim ibn Muhammad ibn Abubakr Siddiq (Q) (4^th Shaykh of Naqshbandi Golden Chain)
9^th of Muharram- Urs of Shaykh Shamsuddin Habiballah (Q) – (29^th Shaykh of Naqshbandi Golden Chain)
10^th of Muharram – Urs of Shaykh Abul Hassan al Kharqani (Q) – (7^th Shaykh of Naqshbandi Golden Chain)
10^th of Muharram – Birthday of Shaykh Faruqi Sirhindi (Q) – (25^th Shaykh of Naqshbandi Golden Chain)
14^th of Muharram – Birthday of Shah Bahauddin Naqshband (Q) (Shaykh Tariqa, and 17^th Shaykh of Naqshbandi Golden Chain)
16^th of Muharram – Birthday of Shaykh Jamaluddin Ghumuqi al Hussayni (Q) – (35^th Shaykh of Naqshbandi Golden Chain)
17^th of Muharram – Urs of Shaykh Muhammad Effendi al Yaraghi (Q) – (34^th Shaykh of Naqshbandi Golden Chain)
19^th of Muharram –Urs of Shaykh Darwish Muhammad (Q) (22^nd Shaykh of Naqshbandi Golden Chain)