Alḥamdulillāh, the sacred month of Muḥarram is upon us; a month chosen by Allah Almighty as one of the four sacred months in Islam and the very first month of the Hijri calendar.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“The year is twelve months, of which four are sacred: three consecutive months—Dhul-Qa‘dah, Dhul-Ḥijjah, and Muḥarram—and Rajab Muḍar, which comes between Jumādā and Sha‘bān.” (Bukhārī)

This ḥadīth highlights a profound point: Allah Almighty has blessed us with Dhul-Ḥijjah at the end of the year, to finish strong, and with Muḥarram at the start of the year, to begin strong. It is a divine rhythm for renewal—closing with good deeds and opening with even greater resolve.

Two Key Reflections for Muharram

1. Guarding Against Sin

Allah Almighty says regarding His sacred months:

“…so wrong not yourselves therein…” [Qur’an 9:36]

Our scholars explain that sins committed in the sacred months are weightier and more severe than at other times. Sinning is always a grave matter, but its seriousness is magnified in times Allah Himself has honoured. Thus, safeguarding ourselves from sins in Muḥarram is an act of obedience and reverence to Allah.

2. Increasing in Righteous Deeds—Especially Fasting

Abū Hurayrah (raḍiyallāhu ‘anhu) narrated:

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘The best fast after Ramaḍān is fasting in Allah’s month of Muḥarram.’” (Muslim)

Within this month lies the blessed day of ‘Āshūrāʾ (10th of Muḥarram)—a day the Prophet ﷺ prioritized. Ibn ‘Abbās (raḍiyallāhu ‘anhumā) said:

“I never saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ so keen to fast any day and give it priority over any other than this day, the day of ‘Āshūrāʾ, and this month—meaning Ramaḍān.” (Bukhārī)

The Prophet ﷺ also said:

“For fasting the day of ‘Āshūrāʾ, I hope that Allah will accept it as expiation for the year that went before.” (Muslim)

Final Reflection

Life is short, dear brothers and sisters, and our opportunities for forgiveness and renewal are even shorter. We cannot afford to neglect the divine gifts Allah places in our path, such as the month of Muḥarram and the fast of ‘Āshūrāʾ.

May Allah Almighty accept our deeds from the past year, forgive our shortcomings, and inspire us to use this new year to grow closer to Him in sincerity and excellence. Āmīn.

I love you all for the sake of Allah.

Your brother

Sajid Umar

Location: 'somewhere en route to the hereafter'

05/01/1442 (AH) - 24/08/2020