Day of Ashura

Muharram: 1st Month of the Islamic Calendar

Sunni References

The 10th of Muharram & Ashurah

The Islamic year begins with Muharram ul Haram, the first month of the Hijri Calendar. While followers of other religions spend their opening month in worthless merriment, the first month of Islam teaches us lessons of admonition, good counselling, knowledge of Allah Ta’ala, sacrifice, selflessness, patience & seeking the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala.

The tenth day of Muharram (Ashurah) has many distinctive qualities & features. Allah Ta’ala created the heavens & the earth on this blessed day. On this day He gave His infinite blessings & bounties to many of His Prophets & delivered them from the clutches of their enemies.

Allah Ta’ala created Hazrat Adam (Alaihis-Salam) in this month, pardoned him of his mistake & Hazrat Noah’s (Alaihis-Salam) Ark landed successfully on Mount Judi & he saved Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihis-Salam) from fire & rescued Hazrat Musa (Alaihis-Salam) from Pharaoh.

On the first of Muharram offer 2 rakats Nafl prayer. In each rakat after Surah Fatiha recite Surah Ikhlas 3 times. After the Salam pray to Allah Ta’ala for all your needs & desires. From the blessing of this prayer, Allah Ta’ala will appoint an angel for such a person. The angel will guide him or her to do only good deeds & prevent them in engaging in sinful acts.

On the eve of "Ashurah" offer 100 rakats Nafl. In each rakat recite Surah Ikhlas 3 times after Surah Fateha. After Salam recite first ‘Kalimah’ 100 times. Allah Ta’ala will forgive all the sins of such a person.