🌙 The Virtue of Fasting in Muharram: A Sacred Opportunity
As the new Islamic year begins with the blessed month of Muharram, believers are given a chance to renew their intentions and draw closer to Allah ﷻ. This sacred month is not just the beginning of a new calendar—it is an opening for spiritual growth, reflection, and immense reward.
🕊 Muharram: One of the Sacred Months
Allah ﷻ mentions in the Qur’an:
“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah… of these, four are sacred…”
— [Surah At-Tawbah, 9:36]
Muharram is one of these four sacred months. The Prophet ﷺ referred to it as “the month of Allah”, which emphasizes its special status. Naming it Shahrullah (the month of Allah) is a unique honor that no other month receives. This alone shows its spiritual significance.
🕋 Fasting in Muharram: A Sunnah with Immense Reward
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The best of fasting after the month of Ramadan is the fasting of Allah’s month of Muharram.”
— [Sahih Muslim, 1163]
This hadith encourages us to fast during Muharram—not necessarily the entire month, but as much as we can. Even one or two extra days of fasting during this time can be a source of great reward.
🌊 The Day of ‘Ashura (10th Muharram)
The most emphasized day to fast in Muharram is the 10th day, known as ‘Ashura. When the Prophet ﷺ arrived in Madinah, he saw that the Jews were fasting on this day. They said it was the day Allah saved Musa (Moses) عليه السلام and his people from Pharaoh. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“We are closer to Musa than they are,” and he fasted on that day and encouraged the Muslims to do so.
— [Sahih al-Bukhari, 2004]
Fasting on ‘Ashura is highly recommended. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Fasting the day of ‘Ashura, I hope Allah will expiate thereby [the sins of] the year that came before it.”
— [Sahih Muslim, 1162]
Imagine—a whole year’s sins forgiven for fasting just one day.
🕌 Fasting the 9th Along with the 10th
To distinguish the Muslim practice from that of other religions, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“If I live until next year, I will certainly fast the ninth [of Muharram] along with the tenth.”
— [Sahih Muslim]
Thus, it’s encouraged to fast on both the 9th and 10th, or even the 10th and 11th, to follow the Sunnah and gain even more blessings.
🌟 A Fresh Start
Muharram comes right after the sacred season of Hajj and Eid al-Adha. It’s a time to carry forward the spiritual momentum we built during Dhul Hijjah. Let Muharram be a new beginning—a time to set goals for your faith, reconnect with Allah, and strive for a better version of yourself.
✨ Action Points
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Mark your calendar for the 10th of Muharram (‘Ashura).
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Try to fast the 9th and 10th, or 10th and 11th.
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Increase dhikr, prayer, and recitation of the Qur’an.
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Reflect on your spiritual goals for the new year.
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Make sincere du‘a for guidance and forgiveness.
🕯 Final Thought
We never know how many more years or months we’ll be blessed to see. Muharram is a gift from Allah—a sacred opportunity to earn His mercy and forgiveness. Let’s make the most of it by reviving the Sunnah of fasting, remembering the trials of the Prophets, and renewing our hearts for the year ahead.
“And whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it.”
— [Surah Az-Zalzalah, 99:7]
May Allah accept our fasting, forgive our sins, and allow us to witness many more blessed days in His obedience. Ameen.
