These four months, according to the authentic traditions are the months of Zulqadah, Zulhijjah, Muharram and Rajab. All the commentators of the Holy Quran are unanimous on this point, because the Holy Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihe wasallam) in his sermon on the occasion of his last Hajj, has declared:

The specific mention of these four months does not mean that any other month has no sanctity, because the month of Ramadan is admittedly the most sanctified month in the year. But these four months were specifically termed as sanctified months for the simple reason that their sanctity was accepted even by the pagans of Makkah.

In fact, every month, out of the twelve, is originally equal to the other, and there is no inherent sanctity which may be attributed to one of them in comparison to other months. When Allah Almighty chooses a particular time for His special blessings, then it acquires sanctity out of His grace.

Thus, the sanctity of these four months was recognized right from the days of Sayyidna Ibrahim 'alayhissalaam. Since the Pagans of

Makkah attributed themselves to Sayyidna Ibrahim 'alayhissalaam they observed the sanctity of these four months and despite their frequent tribal battles, they held it unlawful to fight in these months.

In the Sharp ah of our Holy Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihe wasallam) the sanctity of these months was upheld and the Holy Quran referred to them as the "sanctified months".

The month of Muharram has certain other characteristics peculiar to it which are specified below.

The Holy Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihe wasallam) has said:

Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, yet, the one who fasts in these days out of his own will and choice is entitled to a great reward by Allah Almighty. The Hadith cited above signifies that the fasts of the month of Muharram are most rewardable ones 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 award promised for fasts of Muharram can be achieved only by fasting for the whole month. On the contrary, each fast during this month has merit. Therefore, one should avail of this opportunity as much as he can.

Although the month of Muharram is a sanctified month as a whole, yet, the 10th day of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named 'Ashurah.¹

According to the Holy companion Ibn

'Abbas (radhi allah ta'ala 'anhu), the Holy Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihe wa sallam), when migrated to Madinah, found that the Jews of Madinah used to fast on the 10th day of Muharram. They said that it was the day on which the Holy Prophet Musa (Moses) ('alayhissalaam) 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 'alaihe wasallam) said,

It is also reported in a number of authentic traditions that in the beginning, fasting on the day of 'Ashura' was obligatory for the Muslims. It was later that the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory and the fast on the day of 'Ashura' was made optional.

Sayyidah A'ishah radhi allah ta'ala 'anha has said:

However, the Holy Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihe wa sallam) used to fast on the day of 'Ashura' even after the fasting in Ramadan was made obligatory. 'Abdullah Ibn Masud (radhiallah ta'ala 'anhu) reports that the Holy Prophet (sallallahu "alaihe wa sallam) preferred the fast of 'Ashura¹ to the fast of other days and preferred the fast of Ramadan to the fast of 'Ashura'. (Bukhari and Muslim)

In short, it is established through a number of authentic ahadith that fasting on the day of 'Ashura' is Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihe wasallam) and makes one entitled to a great reward.

According the another hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of Ashura should either be prefixed or suffixed by another fast. It means that one should fast two days: the 9th and 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th of it. The reason of this additional fast as mentioned by the Holy Prophet (sallallahu "alaihe wa sallam) is that the Jews used to fast on the day of 'Ashura alone, and the Holy Prophet (sallallahu "alaihe wa sallam) wanted to distinguish the Islamic-way of fasting from that of Jews. Therefore, he advised the Muslims to add another fast to that of 'Ashura¹.

What is mentioned above is all that is supported through authentic sources about Ashura. However, there are some legends and misconceptions with regard to Ashura that have managed to find their way into the minds of the ignorant, but have no support of authentic Islamic sources, some very common of them are these:

* This is the day in which Adam ('alayhissalaam) was created.

* This is the day in which Ibrahim 'Alayhissalaam was born.

* This is the day in which Allah accepted the repentance of Sayyidna Adam ('alayhissalaam.)

* This is the day on which the Qiyamah (dooms-day) will take place.

* Whoever takes bath in the day of 'Ashura' will never get ill.

All these and other similar whims and fancies are totally baseless and the traditions referred to in this respect are not worthy of any credit.

Some people take it as Sunnah to prepare a particular type of meal in the day of 'Ashura'. This practice, too, has no basis in the authentic Islamic sources.

Some other people attribute the sanctity of 'Ashura' to the martyrdom of Sayyidna Hussain (radhiallah ta'ala 'anhu) during his battle with the Syrian army. No doubt, the martyrdom of Sayyidna Hussain (radhiallah ta'ala 'anhu) is one of the most tragic episodes of our history. Yet, the sanctity of 'Ashura' cannot be ascribed to this event for the simple reason that the sanctity of 'Ashura' was established during the days of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihe wa sallam) much earlier than the birth of Sayyidna Hussain (radhiallah ta'ala 'anhu).

On the contrary, it is one of the merits of Sayyidna Hussian that his martyrdom took place on the day of 'Ashura'.

Another misconception about the month of Muharram is that it is an evil or unlucky month, for Sayyidna Hussian was killed in it. It is for this misconception that people avoid holding marriage ceremonies in the month of Muharram. This is again a baseless concept which is contrary to the express teachings of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah. Such superstitions have been totally negated by the Holy Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihe wa sallam). If the death of an eminent person in a particular day renders that day unlucky for all times to come, one can hardly find a day, free from this bad luck, out of 365 days of the whole year, because each and every day has a history of the demise of some eminent person. The Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihe wa

sallam) have made us free from such superstitious beliefs, and they should deserve no attention.

Another wrong practice related to this month is to hold the lamentation and mourning ceremonies in the memory of martyrdom of Sayyidna Hussain (radhiallah ta'ala 'anhu). As mentioned earlier, the event of Karbala is one of the most tragic events of our history, but the Holy Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihe wa sallam) has forbidden us from holding the mourning ceremonies on the death of any person. The people of Jahiliyyah (Ignorance) used to mourn over their deceased relatives or friends through loud lamentations, by tearing their clothes and by beating their cheeks and chests. The Holy Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihe wa sallam) stopped the Muslims from doing all this and directed them to observe patience. A number of authentic ahadith are available on the subject. To quote only one of them: