Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and one of the four sacred months. The Prophet called it "God's month" and said the best fast after Ramadan is in Muharram. Its 10th day, Ashura, is a day the Prophet fasted, and fasting it is described as expiating the sins of the previous year.
Key Takeaways
- Muharram is the first month of the Hijri year and one of the four sacred months (At-Tawbah 9:36; Sahih al-Bukhari 4662).
- "The most excellent fast after Ramadan is God's month, al-Muharram" (Sahih Muslim 1163a).
- The Prophet fasted the 10th, Ashura, and told Muslims to fast it, connecting it to the day Musa was saved (Sahih al-Bukhari 2004).
- Fasting Ashura is described as expiating the sins of the preceding year (Sahih Muslim 1162b), and the Prophet intended to fast the 9th as well (Sahih Muslim 1134b).
- The 10th of Muharram is also remembered in Islamic history as the day Imam Hussain was martyred at Karbala.
A Sacred Month
Allah says that "the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months... of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion [i.e., way], so do not wrong yourselves during them" (At-Tawbah, 9:36, Sahih International). The Prophet named Muharram among them (Sahih al-Bukhari 4662). As the first month, it also begins the new Hijri year, explained in our comparison of Islamic, Jewish and Christian calendars.
The Best Fasting After Ramadan
Abu Huraira reported the Prophet saying: "The most excellent fast after Ramadan is God's month, al-Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night" (Sahih Muslim 1163a). Many Muslims therefore fast extra voluntary days in this month, alongside night prayer.
Ashura: The 10th of Muharram
Ibn Abbas reported that when the Prophet came to Madinah, he found the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura, which they described as the day Allah rescued the Children of Israel and Moses fasted. The Prophet said: "We have more claim over Moses than you", and he fasted that day and told Muslims to fast it (Sahih al-Bukhari 2004).
- Its reward. Asked about fasting on the day of Ashura, the Prophet said: "It expiates the sins of the preceding year" (Sahih Muslim 1162b).
- Fasting the 9th too. The Prophet said: "If I live till the next (year), I would definitely observe fast on the 9th" (Sahih Muslim 1134b). Many Muslims therefore fast the 9th and 10th, and scholars discuss other combinations.
Remembering Karbala
The 10th of Muharram is also the day on which the Prophet's grandson, Hussain ibn Ali, was martyred at Karbala in 61 AH. Muslims of every background honour his memory, as described in our article on the sacrifice of Imam Hussain.
Making the Most of Muharram
| Action | Why |
|---|---|
| Fast voluntary days | The best fast after Ramadan (Sahih Muslim 1163a) |
| Fast the 9th and 10th | Ashura's reward, following the Prophet's intention (Muslim 1162b, 1134b) |
| Pray at night | The best prayer after the obligatory (Sahih Muslim 1163a) |
| Avoid wrongdoing | The Quran's instruction for the sacred months (9:36) |
| Set goals for the new year | A fresh start for Quran, prayer and character |
Many families treat the new Hijri year as a chance to plan their Quran goals, just as they do before Ramadan with our Ramadan preparation checklist.
Learn More About the Islamic Year
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