A lot of us, the young faith of Islam does not aware about the day of Asyura. The prominent of this day, where the Bani Israel was felt threaten during Prophet Moses (Musa). Frankly, to be honest, I have learnt about the day of Asyura when I was in Australia. A close Malaysian and an Sheik shared with me about the meaning of Asyura. Interesting to me, Islam respected the people of the book, the Bani Israel as Prophet Moses helped away from the iron rule of Fir’aun.
This are a lot of mean about solidarity in Islam helping in another nation when a crisis happens. As a trainee librarian, help another community building up the knowledge, in today concept would be the model to promote solidarity for the nation’s economic to growth. For my Muslim and non-Muslim, I shard with you the meaning, history and lessons of 10th Muharram.
Friday Sermon
18 January 2008 / 9 Muharram 1429
History and Lessons of 10th Muharram
Tomorrow is the tenth day of Muharram. The day which is known as the Day of Asyura. It is a day with historical significance. A day when Allah s.w.t saved the Prophet Musa a.s and his people from Fir’aun and his army. When Allah s.w.t commanded Prophet Musa a.s to lead his people Bani Israel from Egypt to Palestine, Fir’aun and his army chased after them, with the intention to destroy Bani Israel.
Upon arriving at the shoreline of the Red Sea, the people of Israel became worried because there was nowhere else for them to run to and they could already see dust flying caused by the charging horses of Fir’aun’s army. Allah s.w.t has this event recorded in the Al-Quran.
And the host of Fir’aun pursued and overtook them at sunrise. And when the two host came in sight of each other, the companions of Moses said, `We are surely caught.’ `Never !’ said he, `My Lord is with me; He will guide me to safety.’ Then We revealed to Moses: `Strike the sea with your rod.’ Thereupon it parted and every part looked like a huge mound. And We made the others approach nearer. And We saved Moses and those who were with him. Then We drowned the others. In this, verily, there is a sign; but most of these would not believe
Look at how strong the faith of Prophet Musa a.s was. When he was standing between his enemies and the vast sea, when there was not a single way out, the faith and belief of Prophet Musa a.s stood out. He believed that Allah would not disappoint His Slaves. Look at the resilience of Prophet Musa, as a result of his strong faith, built on knowledge and conviction in the Will of Allah s.w.t.
Out of gratefulness to Allah s.w.t, Prophet Musa a.s fasted on the day of Asyura. This tradition was followed by the Arabs and they too glorified the day of Asyura and fasted on that day.
When Rasulullah s.a.w arrived in Medina after his hijrah, he realized that the Jews fasted on the day of Asyura too, following the act of Prophet Musa a.s. So Rasulullah s.a.w told the Muslims to fast on the same day, as an act of respect for Prophet Musa a.s.
Besides that, we are also encouraged to fast on the day of Asyura because of its significance. Rasulullah s.a.w said in a hadith narrated by Imam Muslim from Abi Qatadah:
Indeed fasting on the day of Asyura will absolve the sins of a year, and fasting on the day of Arafah will absolve the sins of two years.
Allah s.w.t has prepared for us a few days in a year where Allah s.w.t will multiply our deeds on those days. The days with special significance, such as the day of Arafah, the day of Asyura, the month of Ramadan, and others, these are gifts from Allah s.w.t so that the ummah of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w will always have an opportunity to come closer to Allah s.w.t by doing good deeds.
Ibn Abbas r.a was narrated to have said:
I have not seen the Prophet s.a.w anticipate a day so much which Allah s.w.t honours it more than the rest, except today, which is the day of Asyura.
This is because Rasulullah s.a.w knew the rewards of fasting on this day, and wanted his ummah to grab this opportunity to get their one year’s sins forgiven.
Seeking the preferred times to do good deeds will also train us to be disciplined with time. We will be more conscious of time. We will work hard to maximize the rewards that can be gained from time. And this discipline will help us succeed in this world and in the hereafter.
Rasulullah s.a.w said:
Which means: If I survive until next year, I will definitely fast on the ninth day (of Muharram).
According to Ibnu Abbas r.a, Rasulullah s.a.w said this so that the ummah would increase another day of fast, as a special deed for his ummah. This was so that the fast would be different from the Jews who fast on the tenth of Muharram only.
Therefore, according to religious scholars, it is better if the fast of Asyura is observed together with fasting on the day before.
This is the way of Rasulullah s.a.w, always advising, encouraging and at times instructing his ummah to perform good deeds always and to distinguish between our lifestyle and other people’s lifestyle. Only in this way can we be the best ummah, the exemplary ummah for all.
Therefore, let us start this new year by doing as many good deeds as possible, which can strengthen our faith, and cleanse our soul. By increasing our quality good deeds, hopefully we will gain strength internally and spiritually. Good deeds will purify our spiritual self, strengthen our faith and our resilience, and make us an ummah which always seeks goodness, and does not fear any challenges at all. May Allah s.w.t help us in abiding all His Commands, and working hard for rewards in our ibadah towards Him.
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