(10th of Muharram)
Shaheer A. Mirza
The month of Muharram and particularly the 10th day (Yaum-al-A’ashura) has a great significance in Islamic history even before the events at Karbala took place where Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) achieved martyrdom. It is to be noted that Islamic society got divided between the now-known sects of Shias & Sunnis on the basis of socio-political factors only after the times of Prophet Muhammad(SAW).
Listed below are few of the major events marked in Islamic history that mark the significance of 10th of Muharram that are widely accepted and acknowledged across the Islamic world, irrespective of the ideology:
>> On this day Allah (SWT) accepted the repentance of Prophet Aadam (AS), referred as Adam in Christian belief, after his exile from Paradise.
>> Allah (SWT) saved Prophet Nuh (AS), referred as Noah in Christian belief, and his companions in the ark.
>> Allah (SWT) extinguished the fire in which Prophet Ibrahim (AS), referred as Abraham in Christian belief was thrown by Namrood.
>> Allah (SWT) spoke directly to Prophet Musa (AS), referred as Moses in Christian belief and gave him the Commandments.
>> Prophet Ayyub (AS), referred as Job in Jewish belief was restored to health (from leprosy).
>> Prophet Yusuf (AS), referred as Joseph in Christian belief was reunited with his father Ya’qub (AS), referred as Jacob in Christian belief.
>> Prophet Yunus (AS), referred as Jonah in Christian belief was taken out from the belly of the fish.
>> The sea was divided, as the nation of Israel was delivered from captivity and Pharoah’s army was destroyed.
>> Prophet Dawud (AS), referred as David in Christian belief was forgiven from his sins.
>> The Kingdom of Prophet Sulaiman (AS), referred as Solomanin Christian belief, was restored.
>> Prophet Isa (AS), referred as Christian belief was raised to Jannah (heaven)
Even during the lifetime of last Prophet Mohammad (SAW), the significance of 10th Muharram remained undisputed and below instance is extracted from Ahadeeth of Sahih Muslim & Sahih Bukhari that:
‘When Prophet Muhammad (SAW) arrived in Madinah and found the Jews observing fast on the day of A’ashura. They (Jews) said, “It is the great day when Allah delivered Hazrat Musa (AS) and his people and drowned Pharoah and his people, and Musa (AS) observed fast out of gratitude. And we also observe it.” The Holy Messenger of Allah Prophet Mohammad (SWT) responded: “We have more right, and we have closer connection with Musa (AS) than you have”, so Allah’s Messenger (SWT) observed fast on two days and gave us orders to observe it’.
Writer is a travel professional, freelance writer, commentator and a political analyst.