What to do on Aashura, what to remember and the martyrdom of Hussain (RA)

Yawmul aashura is one of the few auspicious days in Islam. Unlike lailatul Jaaizah, Qadr and Bara’ah where the night is revered, on Aashura the day is revered. On Yawmul Aashura, do the following:

Fast: Nabi ﷺ said, “The best fasts after Ramadân are in Allah’s month of Muharram.” The reward for fasting, is that the sins committed in the year before it will be forgiven. In addition, fast a day before or a day after too as Nabi ﷺ said, “If I live til the next year, we will inshaAllah fast on the 9th day.” (Sahih Muslim)

Be generous: Nabi ﷺ said, “Whoever increases [his expenditure] on his family on the day of Ashura, Allah will increase his sustenance for the entire year.” (Bayhaqi) Bear in mind that no amount, minimum or maximum, has been stipulated. Therefore, whether you choose to buy a scarf for your wife or a diamond ring, is up to you. Spend within your means even if it be little. If you opt to buy food, ensure that you buy it on the day of Aashura, not the night before or after.

Remember that Aashura teaches us:

Allah never burdens a soul more than they can bear: Bani Israel suffered under Firawn’s tyrannical rule for hundreds of years. When they eventually escaped Firawn chased them with his army. With the sea ahead of them and Firawn behind, they began to panic. Allah commanded Musa عليه السلام to strike the ground with his stick, the sea miraculously split before them, and Bani Israel walked through the path to freedom. If the sea could split for them, nothing is impossible. Never lose help, take solace in the knowledge that Allah’s help is near.

Evil does not last forever: ☪ Allah made Firawn the King for centuries. He drowned 300 years after Musa عليه السلام invited him to Islam, yet he was in such good health, he never experienced even a single headache! Allah gave him respite, but never assume this lasts forever. Allah soon punished him and preserved his body for us to learn – evil never lasts. All kings will eventually be defeated and humbled by Allah – the King of all Kings.

Remember your humble beginnings: ⌛ ⏰ The progeny of Bani Israel are the present day Jews. They struggled under Firawn, in recent times they experienced the holocaust, yet they have forgotten and oppress Palestinians today. Sometimes when a person is abused in childhood, they become the abuser in adulthood. A harsh employer forgets how hard it was to begin as an employee. Don’t forget, don’t repeat the same mistakes you went through. Let your past make you better, not worse.

Hussain رضي الله عنه: The 10th of Muharram was auspicious long before he was martyred. The Shia’s belief that we revere this day due to him is incorrect. It would be true to say that Allah loved him so much, He chose this auspicious day to bless him with martyrdom, just like we consider one who passes away on Lailatul Qadr as blessed.

— Hazrat Ml. Dawood Seedat حفظه الله

Above is an article taken from www.islaahiadvices.com. It is an extract from Hazrat’s talk on 19/09/18 in Masjid-ut-Taqwa, Pietermaritzburg.