http://www.inter-islam.org/Miscellaneous/months.htm
Muharram
Is the first month of the Islamic Calendar.
The meaning of the word:- The word "Muharram"
means "Forbidden." Even before Islam, this month was always known
as a sacred month in which all unlawful acts were forbidden, prominently
the shedding of blood.
A blessing of Muharram:- There are many bounties
of this month, especially the tenth of Muharram.
Two of the many virtues of the 10th of Muharram:-
On this day he who spends more lavishly for the sake of his family members,
Allah Ta'aalaa will bestow blessing upon the sustenance of the following
year.
Abu Qataada (R.A.) has related that the Prophet
has reported to have said, It is my thought that by fasting on the 10th
of Muharram Allah Ta'aalaa will pardon the sins of the past year. (Tirmizi)
Events of Muharram:-
PRIOR TO ISLAM
*Adam (A.S.) was born and had entered Paradise on the 10th of Muharram.
*Ayyub (A.S.) was cured from his illness.
*A way was made in the sea for Bani Israel.
*Suleman (A.S.) was ordained King.
*The oceans and Heavens were created. (Tanbihul-Gaafileen)
*Adam (A.S.) was born and had entered Paradise on the 10th of Muharram.
*Ayyub (A.S.) was cured from his illness.
*A way was made in the sea for Bani Israel.
*Suleman (A.S.) was ordained King.
*The oceans and Heavens were created. (Tanbihul-Gaafileen)
During Islam:-
Hadhrat Hussain (R.A.) was martyred in this month.
Shaykhain Tirmizi & Haakim has narrated from Anas (R.A) that the following verse:
"Allah may forgive thee of thy sins that which is past and that which is to come."
(Al-Fath)
was revealed on the 10th of Muharram.
The Prophet Muhammed went to defeat Bani Muhaarin and Bani Tha'laba (Tribes of Bani Gatfan) in the year 4 A.H.
(Asahhus-siyar)
Qiyaamah will take place on the 10th of Muharram.
Hadhrat Hussain (R.A.) was martyred in this month.
Shaykhain Tirmizi & Haakim has narrated from Anas (R.A) that the following verse:
"Allah may forgive thee of thy sins that which is past and that which is to come."
(Al-Fath)
was revealed on the 10th of Muharram.
The Prophet Muhammed went to defeat Bani Muhaarin and Bani Tha'laba (Tribes of Bani Gatfan) in the year 4 A.H.
(Asahhus-siyar)
Qiyaamah will take place on the 10th of Muharram.
Further Reading: Monthly Profiles of the Islamic Calendar
http://www.inter-islam.org/Miscellaneous/muharramreyaz.htm
Introduction
With the sighting of the new moon the Islamic new year is ushered in. The first month Muharram, is a month of great reward and virtue. Muharram itself means `sacred' and is from those months which have been mentioned as sacred in the Holy Quraan.
Almighty Allah states in the Holy Quraan:
(Surah At-Tawbah:36)
Virtues
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:
(Muslim)
In another Hadeeth, Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) reports: "that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said: "The one that keeps a fast in the month of Muharram will receive the reward of thirty fasts for each fast (in this sacred month)."
(Tabraani)
Although the month of Muharram is a
sacred month as a whole, the 10 th of Muharram is the most sacred among
all its days. The day is named ‘Ashurah'. It is one of the most
important and blessed
days of Allah in the Islamic calendar.
Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not
obligatory, the one who fasts in these days out of his own will and
choice is entitled to a great reward by Almighty Allah. The Hadith
citied above signifies that the fasts of the month of Muharram are the
most rewardable among the Nafl fasts i.e. the fasts one observes out of
his own choice without being obligatory on him.
The Hadith does not mean that the reward promised for
fasts of Muharram can only be attained by fasting for the whole month.
On the contrary, each fast during this month has merit. Therefore, one
should take advantage of this opportunity.
The
Day of Aashora (10th Muharram)
According to the Holy companion, Ibn Abbas Radhiallaho Anhu, when the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam migrated to Madinah, he found that the Jews of Madinah used to fast on the 10 th day of Muharram. They said that it was the day on which the Holy Prophet Musa Alayhis Salaam and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously, and the Pharaoh was drowned in its water. On hearing this from the Jews, the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam said, “We are more closely related to Musa than you.” So the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam directed the Muslims to fast on the day of Ashura. (Abu Dawood)
According to another Hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of Ashura should be either preceeded or suceded by an additional fast. It means that one should fast two days: the 9 th and 10 th of Muharram or the 10 th and 11 th . The reason of this additional fast as mentioned by the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam is that the Jews used to fast on the day of Ashura alone, and the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam wanted to distinguish the Islmaic-way of fasting from that of the Jews. Therefore, he advised the Muslims to add another fast to the day of Ashura.
Some Ulama (scholars) are of the opinion that before the fasts of Ramadhan were made compulsory, the fast of the day of Aashora was compulsory upon the Ummah.
This is stated in a Hadeeth reported by Hazrat Aisha (Radhiyallahu-Anha):
(Bukhari)
But, nevertheless
the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) continued to fast this day and
encouraged his Companions to do the same.
The Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) has exhorted and encouraged his Ummah to fast on this day. He said:
(Muslim)
One should also observe the fast of the 9th Muharram to safeguard his deed from resemblance with the Non-Muslims who fast only on the 10th Muharram.
Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) said:
(Muslim)
These Ahadeeth indicate clearly that one should fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram.
However, if one does not manage to fast on the ninth, then he/she should fast on the eleventh of Muharram instead.
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:
(Baihaqi)
Hence, it is important to either fast on the ninth and the tenth or the tenth and the eleventh of Muharram.
To fast only on the day of Aashora is Makrooh as stated by Allamah Ibn Aabideen Shaami.
One should be generous on one's family and dependants and spend more on them than what is normally spent.
Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:
"One who generously
spends on his family on the day of Aashora, Allah will increase (his provision)
for the whole year." (Baihaqi)
These are the only actions supported by Ahadeeth.
Let us observe this great day according to the ways of Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) and the Sahabah (Radhiyallahu-Anhum), and refrain from all innovations which deprive us of the blessings from Almighty Allah.
May Allah guide us all upon the Straight Path and save us from every act which brings His displeasure.
The significance of the Day of Aashora is from the time of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam). Thus, to attribute the significance of Aashora to the martyrdom of Hazrat Husayn (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) is baseless. Therefore, the host of baseless customs with regard to his martyrdom must be discarded.
The martyrdom of Hazrat Husayn (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) was indeed a great tragedy but Islam is not a religion of perpetual mourning. Having love for Hazrat Husayn (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) does not necessarily mean that his blessed name should be lamented upon especially when he gained the status of a Shaheed (Martyr), but instead one should convey Thawaab (reward) to him and donate on his behalf for the pleasure of Allah (on Allah's name).
Lamenting, mourning, displaying grief and beating heads is forbidden in Islam. To carry out these acts especially on this Day of Aashora is a Bid'ah (an bad innovation in Islam). To take part in them or to look at them with respect is not permissible.
Dirges (songs of mourning) should be abstained from as they have been clearly prohibited in the Ahadeeth.
Some people think that it is not good to marry in the month of Muharram.
This is also a baseless conception.
......
other reference....
http://www.isgr.org/islammonth.htm
Muharram
First month of the Islamic Calendar.
Meaning: The word "Muharram" means "Forbidden." Even before Islam, this month was always known as a scared month in which all unlawful acts were forbidden, prominently the shedding of blood.
Blessing: There are many bounties of this month, especially on 10th of Muharram.
10th of Muharram: On this day he who spends more lavishly for the sake of his family members, Allah Ta'aalaa will bestow blessing upon the sustenance of the following year.
Abu Qataada (R.A.) has related that the Prophet has reported to have said, It is my thought that by fasting on the 10th of Muharram Allah Ta'aalaa will pardon the sins of the past year. (Tirmizi)
Events:
Prior To Islam
1. Prophet Adam (pbuh) was born and entered the Paradise on 10th of Muharram.
2. Prophet Ayyub (pbuh) was cured from his illness.
3. A way was made in the sea for Bani Israel.
4. Prophet Suleman (pbuh) was ordained King.
5. The oceans and heavens were created. (Tanbihul-Gaafileen)
During Islam:
1. Hadhrat Hussain (R.A.) was martyred in this month.
2. Shaykhain Tirmizi & Haakim has narrated from Anas (R.A) that the following verse:
"Allah may forgive thee of thy sins that which is past and that which is to come . . ."
(Qur'an Al-Fath 48:2)
was revealed on the 10th of Muharram.
3. The Prophet Muhammed went to defeat Bani Muhaarin and Bani Tha'laba (Tribes of Bani Gatfan) in the year 4 A.H. (Asahhus-siyar)
4. Qiyaamah will take place on the 10th of Muharram.
...