Month of Muharram

Question
I would like to know what is the islamic significance of celebrating
the 1st 10 days of Muharram, wherewomen go to the person's house
around asar time and pray, and then sweets, or laan is given out to
the children and women that are present,every day, with the biggest
laan given onthe 10th of Muharram.
Is this just a mere tradition or does it have a shariah significance?
I ask this because i have moved to a new town and it is the first time
i have seen this being done.
Is there any harm in doing it?
What would be your advise to me? I have not attended the prayers, i
have heard of it only.
Answer
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatoh
1. The month of Muharram has significance in the Shari`ah. ALLAH
TA`AALA has mention in the noble Quraan regarding this month:-
إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي
كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا
أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ
"Verily the number of months according to ALLAH is twelve, in the
decree of ALLAH on the day HE created the heavens and earth, of them
four are sacred."
(Surah Taubah verse 35)
These four sacred monthsare Zul Qa`dah, Zul Hijjah,Muharram and Rajab.
Imaam al-Raazi commentates on this verse; explaining that therewards
for good actionsare multiplied and likewise the punishment for sins
perpetrated in these months are multiplied.
ومعنى الحرم : أن المعصية فيها أشد عقاباً ، والطاعة فيها أكثر ثواباً ،
والعرب كانوايعظمونها جداً حتى لو لقي الرجل قاتل أبيه لم يتعرض له .
(Tafseer ar-Raazi Vol.8 Pg. 54 Darul Fikr)
Mufti Taqi Usmaani explains in Ma`aariful Quraan that the sacredness
of these months where initially toprevent fighting and waging wars.
That rulingwas abrogated. However he states that the sacredness and
respect ofthese months still remain with regards to the
multiplications of good and sinful actions.
2. The tenth day of Muharram is of great significance. Known as the
day of Ashurah.
Nabi (صلى الله عليه و سلم) had attached great significance to this
day. Aiesha (رضى الله عنهما) stated that Nabi(صلى الله عليه و سلم)
commanded with the fasting of Ashurah before Ramadhaan became
compulsory.
حَدَّثَنَا حَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ
أَخْبَرَنِى يُونُسُ عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ أَخْبَرَنِى عُرْوَةُ بْنُ
الزُّبَيْرِ أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ – رضى الله عنها – قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ
اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- يَأْمُرُ بِصِيَامِهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُفْرَضَ
رَمَضَانُ فَلَمَّا فُرِضَ رَمَضَانُ كَانَ مَنْ شَاءَ صَامَ يَوْمَ
عَاشُورَاءَ وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَفْطَرَ.
(Sahih Muslim)
In the light of the Ahaadith it is a good and reward able action to
fast on the ninth and tenth, and to keep in mind the sacredness of the
month. The practices you mentioned are baseless, no proof of such
actions are found inthe Shari`ah. These seem to be purely traditions
and customs that people have introduced.
If these customs are deemed to be part of the shariah then it will be
incumbent upon you thatyou refrain from participating in those
activities. Because that constitutes bid`ah(innovations) which is
strongly prohibited in shari`ah.
And Allah knows best
Wassalam
Ml. Abdul Hameed,
Student Darul Iftaa
Checked and Approved by:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah