A few notes on the 10th of Muharram
God’s wisdom is beyond comprehension.
The 10th of Muharram is simultaneously the most celebrated day in the Islamic Calendar, and simultaneously the most sorrowful day of the Islamic Calendar.
It celebrates the day that God saved the Prophet Moses -p- and his people from the clutches of the Pharaoh.
It mourns the day that God allowed the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad -p- and his people to be slaughtered by the clutches of Yazid.
The moment of a person’s death is pre-scheduled. The moment you are going to die is already set. And it was in God’s will that the tyrant Pharaoh and the saintly grandson of the Prophet Muhammad -p- would be killed on the same day of the Calendar. The former is going to Hell and the latter is going to Heaven. It was God’s will.
Today, the mark of the Pharaoh is present in Egypt. Today, the head of Imam Husayn, may God be pleased with him, is present in Egypt.
There is a lesson in there; are we able to keep our sights clear?
Subscribe
is it celebrated more than Eid?
Comment by billo — January 21, 2008 @ 3:04 am
Is it more celebrated than Eid?
Comment by billo — January 21, 2008 @ 4:21 am
actually you are right - I just thought about this and as well. I think we should let Mozaffar respond to this..
Comment by RR — January 21, 2008 @ 4:39 pm
Salams billo,
Thank you for your comment.
In terms of their importance within Islam, the Eid festivals do not rank as highly as many other days and nights. For example, we know that the most important *night* in the Islamic Calendar is Laylat al-Qadr.
From a cultural perspective, however, things may be different from region to region. For example, in many regions (Shia and Sunni) 10th of Muharram is known as a day of sorrow only.
And Allah knows best.
May Allah bless you.
Omer M
Comment by Mozaffar — January 21, 2008 @ 5:10 pm
Mozaffar, hello and salaams.
Thank you for your response.
I did not mean to say anything about the *importance* of different days but just that in terms of *celebration* it seems to me that Eid is much more widely celebrated. In fact, I have never heard the word ‘celebrate’ used for the 10th of Muharram.
Perhaps I’m just being obtuse here but I find your post very confusing. Could you please tell me where in the muslim world it is celebrated (given that in “many regions” it is ” known as a day of sorrow only”)?
Best wishes,
b.
Comment by billo — January 22, 2008 @ 3:24 am
Salams billo,
Thank you for the conversation. I’m sorry for the confusion.
We celebrated it here (Chicago). Nothing big, except conversation, khutbas and fasting.
I’m sure you know the origins, but I’ll share it for the other readers who may not know. The Prophet -p- discovered some Jews were fasting on that day, and he asked them why. They informed him that it was in commemoration of the day Allah saved the Prophet Moses -p- and his people from the Pharaoh. Then the Prophet Muhammad -p- asserted that he (or we) has/have more rights over the Prophet Moses -p- than they do. Thus, he recommended that we fast two days.
According to some readings, this is also the day that the Prophet Muhammad -p- himself received his final revelations of the Qur’an from Allah. But, I haven’t been able to substantiate it.
And, as we know, it was in Allah’s will that the Tragedy of Karbala took place on this exact day also.
And Allah knows best.
May Allah bless you.
Omer M
Comment by Mozaffar — January 23, 2008 @ 2:44 am
Omer, salaams.
Thank you for that very informative and interesting response. Much appreciated.
Best wishes,
b.
Comment by billo — January 23, 2008 @ 6:44 am