Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day

He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous [who fear Him]. What are the 12 months and which are the forbidden ones? 1. Muarram , Muharram includes the Day of Ashura. 2. afar , 3. Rab I (Rab al-Awwal) , 4. Rab II (Rab ath-Thn or Rab al-khir) or , 5. Jumd I (Jumd al-l) , 6. Jumd II (Jumd ath-Thniya or Jumd al-khira) or , 7. Rajab , 8. Shabn , 9. Raman , 10. Shawwl , 11. Dh al-Qada , 12. Dh al-ijja ,

" ... so wrong not yourselves therein " mean do not wrong yourselves in these sacred months, because sin in these months is worse than in other months. It was reported that Ibn 'Abbas said that this phrase referred to all the months, then these four were singled out and made sacred, so that sin in these months is more serious and good deeds bring a greater reward. Qatadah said concerning this phrase that wrongdoing during the sacred months is more serious and more sinful that wrongdoing at any other time. Wrongdoing at any time is a serious matter, but Allah gives more weight to whichever of His commands He will. Allah has chosen certain ones of His creation. He has chosen from among the angels Messengers and from among mankind Messengers. He chose from among speech the remembrance of Him (dhikr). He chose from among the earth the mosques, from among the monthsRamadhan and the sacred months, from among the days Friday and from among the nights Laylatul-Qadr, so venerate that which Allah has told us to venerate. People of understanding and wisdom venerate the things that Allah has told us to venerate.

NAK Tafseer The idea of a 12 month calendar is a divine revelation set when he created the heavens and the earth. Planning the orbit of the moon You cannot fight in those month and that is set from now.

Practice of Nasi Practice of moving around the months to make fighting halal. Fight the non believers who changed the calendars just as they fight you and they shall never stop fighting you. Hajjathul Widdah - The ages have come around to be aligned with the way they were on day Allah created on the heavens and the earth. Calendar came back to be aligned where it was supposed.

THE VIRTUE OF OBSERVING MORE NAFIL FASTS DURING MUHARRAM Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 'The best of fasting after Ramadhan is fasting Allah's month of Muharram.' " [Reported by Muslim, 1982] The phrase "Allah's month signifies the importance of the month. Al-Qari said: "The apparent meaning is all of the month of Muharram." But it was proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) never fasted any whole month apart from Ramadhan, so this hadith is probably meant to encourage increasing one's fasting during Muharram, It was reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to fast more in Sha'ban Maybe importance of Muharram revealed to him only towards end of his life. [Sharh anNawawi 'ala Sahih Muslim]

Importance of Certain Times Indeed, in some of your days your Lord has fragrant breezes of grants (nafahat), so expose yourselves to the fragrant breezes of your Lords Mercy {Sahih hadith recorded by Tabarani in his Kabir and Awsat, Ibn Abi Shayba in his Musannaf, Bayhaqi in his Shuab, Abu Nuaym in his Hilya, Hakim Tirmidhi in his Nawadir al-Usul, Qudai in his Musnad al-Shihab, and others}. Al-'Izz ibn 'Abdus-Salam (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Times and places may be given preferred status in two ways, either temporal or religious/spiritual. With regard to the latter, this is because Allah bestows His generosity on His slaves at those times or in those places, by giving a greater reward for deeds done, such as giving a greater reward for fasting in Ramadhan than for fasting at all other times, and also on the day of 'Ashura', the virtue of which is due to Allah's generosity and kindness towards His slaves on that day " [Qawa'id al-Ahkam, 1/38] Ashura and related matters The practice of fasting on 'Ashura' was known even in the days of Jahiliyyah, before the Prophet's mission. Quraysh had a form of fasting on this day. Even the monotheists of that time would venerate this day. It was also reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to fast on 'Ashura' in Makkah, before he migrated to Madinah.

When he went to Madina he saw the Jews fasting on this day. On enquiring about this he was told that Musa was freed from Firaun on this day. So he said we have more rights on Musa than the jews so we should fast. Another version narrates that Nuh was saved from the flood on this day. Side Note 1: There are reports of many events taking places on Ashura Adam , Ibrahim , Ayyub, Yunus, Yaqub, Yusuf, Isa are mentioned. Not sure of its authenticity. Side Note 2: Hussain RA was martyred on this day. Side Note 3: Fasting was introduced in three steps 1. When the Prophet Saw came to Madina he commanded people to fast three days of the month and the day of Ashura 2. Then the fast of Ramadan was instated whereby those who could fast should do so and others pay the fidyah 3. Finally Ramadan was made obligatory. Then fast of Ashura was no more obligatory but voluntary

Merits of Fasting on this day and some comments

Ab Qatda al-Anr (ra Allhu anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allh (allallhu alayhi wa sallam) said: Fasting three days every month and [fasting] the whole [month] of Raman every year is a perpetual fast. The fast of the day of `Arafah, [I consider it to] expiate the sins of the preceding and the coming year. The fast of the day of `shra, [I consider it to] expiate the sins of the preceding year.
Imam Nawawi mentioned that this expiation is only for minor sins. If there are no minor sins and only major sins, then he can hope for reduction in them. If there are no sins, then he can hope for increase in good deeds. Ibn Al Qayyim says minor sins will only be expiated if major sins are avoided. It is the combination of the two. Avoid thinking that if we do only good and not leave the bad we will be alright. Significance of 2 years and 1 year. Musa and Muhammed What if we fast both?

Reasons for fasting 9th and 10th To be different from the jews who used to venerate only the 10th Similar to prohibition of fasting on Friday only To avoid confusion of moonsighting Some General Advice Fasting is the best form of worship on this day. Think about your neediness Allah SWT is the ultimate provider and recognise your weakness in front of Him SWT

Importance of religious planning. When we want good in the dunya we make a lot of effort for it. Why not the akhira? Take holidays from work etc for religious duties and give these days their due.

As good a time as any to think back and reflect about the year past Major sins, Minor Sins, Any improvements etc Reflect on the lives of the Prophet AS. They were tested deeply. Try making a commitment to read a book about their lives or share their lives with others.

Some Ahadith about Ashura 1. `'sh (ra Allhu anh) said: "The people of Quraysh used to fast on the day of `Ashra in the pre-Islamic days. When the Messenger of Allh (allallhu alayhi wa sallam) migrated to Madnah, he observed this fast and commanded others to observe it. But when fasting during the month of Raman was made obligatory he left the [fast of] `shra (i.e. it was no longer obligatory);1 so whosoever wished to observe this fast, did so, and whosoever wished to leave it, did so.2 2. Ab Mus al-Ash`ar (ra Allhu anhu) said: The day of `shur was one that the Jews respected and treated as a day of festival. The Messenger of Allh (allallhu alayhi wa sallam) instructed us: You should also observe fast on this day.3 3. Ibn `Abbs (ra Allhu anhu) said: When the Messenger of Allh (allallhu alayhi wa sallam) came to Madnah, he found the Jews fasting on the day of `shra. He asked: What is this [that you are doing]? They replied: This is a righteous day. On this day Allh saved the Israelites from their enemies, and so Moses, on this day, observed a fast. The Messenger of Allh ( allallhu alayhi wa sallam) said: I have a greater right on Moses (alayhis salm) than you. So, he observed the fast (on that day) and ordered the Muslims to also fast.5 6 4. Ibn `Abbs (ra Allhu anhum) narrated: I do not know the Messenger of Allh (allallhu alayhi wa sallam) singling out any days for fasting, and considering it more excellent than another, except for this day [the day of `shra] and that month - meaning the month of Raman.9 5. Ab Qatda al-Anr (ra Allhu anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allh (allallhu alayhi wa sallam) said: Fasting three days every month and [fasting] the whole [month] of Raman every year is a perpetual fast. The fast of the day of `Arafah, [I consider it to] expiate the sins of the preceding and the coming year. The fast of the day of `shra, [I consider it to] expiate the sins of the preceding year.10 11