Yaumul 'Asyurah And Yum Kippur

Thank GOD who blessed us to see another year, 1432.
The first month, Muharram, is here, and today is the tenth of Muharram 1432 A.H.

The tenth day in the month of Muharram, Yaumul 'Asyurah, saw the victory of  Prophet Moses a.s.  and his people over the Egyptian Pharoah at around 1446 BC.  

"Recall that we saved you from Pharaoh's people who inflicted upon you the worst persecution, slaying your sons and sparing your daughters. That was an exacting test from your Lord.

Recall that we parted the sea for you; we saved you and drowned Pharaoh's people before your eyes." - AlQur'an 2:49 - 50

As Muharram is so called, the month's name is derived from the word haram (forbidden), and in this month, it is forbidden to wage hostility, instead, it was encouraged to reach a compromise.
This month is one of the four sacred months, beside Rejab, Dzulkaedah and Dzuhijjah.
The Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. had been fasting on the tenth of Muharram when in Mecca.

******

When The Prophet s.a.w. migrated to the city of Yathrib, which soon renamed Medinah, 320 kilometres north of Mecca, Muhammad s.a.w. found out the Jews in Medinah religiously went through their Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, marking the Kippur with a big dinner, and would follow it with 25 hours of fasting from sundown to sun-up, prayer, reflection and meditation, in order to seek repentance for their sins.

They said: "It is the day of great significance when God delivered Musa a.s. and his people and drowned Pharoah and his people, and Musa a.s. observed fast out of gratitude. And we also observe it." 

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is also remembering Prophet Moses a.s. on the tenth day of the month of Tishrei in the Jewish calender.

Yom Kippur is to be a solemn holiday.
It is also one of the holiest days of the year for the Jewish for atonement and repentance for according to the Jews, God inscribes each person's fate for the coming year into a book, the Book of Life, on Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year, which is ten days before Yom Kippur, and waits until Yom Kippur for the final verdict being sealed.

Unlike the regular three daily prayers by the Jews, Shacharit, the morning prayer, Mincha, the afternoon prayer and Ma'ariv, the evening prayer, Yom Kippur has five prayer - Shacharit, Mincha, Ma'ariv, Musaf and Ne'ilah, the concluding prayer.  

Ne'ila is a special Jewish prayer service, usually runs about an hour, held only on Yom Kippur, when final prayers of repentance are recited, beside the evening and day of Yom Kippur which is set aside for confessions of guilt, either in public or in private.

Repentance and forgiveness conclude the locking and closing of Yom Kippur.

There is a tone of desperation in Ne'ila prayers, as it is referred to the closing of the gates, the 'last chance' to get in a good word before Yom Kippur ends, after which the shofar, used for religious purpose, a horn, traditionally that of a ram, is blown at the end of Ne'ila.

******   

The Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. responded to the fasting Jews: 
"We have more right, and we have closer connection with Prophet Musa a.s. than you have."  

‘Asyurah is a day of great historical significance.
- Whoever fasts on this day is like one who fasts all his life.
- Whoever provides generously for his family, ALLAH s.w.t. will be generous to him throughout the year.
- Whoever clothes a naked person ALLAH s.w.t. will release him from a painful punishment.
- He who feeds a hungry person or gives water to a thirsty man, ALLAH s.w.t. will feed him a feast from Paradise and will quench his thirst with Salsabil.
- He who visits the sick, ALLAH s.w.t. will reward him that will not decreased.
- Those who apply kohl to the eyes will never suffer from eye-sore again, GOD willing, and 
- Whoever takes a sunnah 'Asyurah bath on this day will enjoy excellent health and freedom from sickness and indolence. 
GOD, Bless us to perform good deeds. Ameen.

******

The Prophet s.a.w. observed fasting on Yaumul ‘Asyurah and gave us orders to observe it.  
The Prophet s.a.w. who had been fasting on 'Asyurah Day told His Companions about the 'Asyurah fast, and His sunnah for us to fast on 'Asyurah Day.

In Sahih Muslim, Abu Qatada r.a. relates that The Prophet s.a.w said that the fast on the 10th of Muharram atones for the sins of the preceding year and Abu Hurairah r.a. reports that The Prophet s.a.w. said that after Ramadhan, the fasts of Muharram have the greatest excellence.  

Mu`awiyyah ibn Abi Sufyan reported that he heard the Messenger of ALLAH s.w.t. say: 
"Concerning the day of `Asyura’, it is not obligatory upon you to fast on it as I do. 
Whoever wishes may fast and whoever does not wish to is not obliged to do so" - Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

But The Prophet s.a.w. recommended that we fast on this day, by His sunnah. 

Abu Hurairah r.a. reported: 
"I asked the Prophet: 'Which Prayer is the best after the obligatory Prayers?' 
He said: 'Prayer during the mid of the night.' 
I asked: 'Which fasting is the best after that of Ramadhan?' 
He said, 'The month of ALLAH that you call Muharram’" - Ahmad, Muslim, and Abu Daud.

Towards the end of His life, Muhammad s.a.w. told the believers to add the 9th day, thus, it is recommended to fast on both the 9th and 10th of Muharram. 
He also indicated how we should observe the fast of Yaumul ‘Asyurah.

In Sahih Muslim, Hakam ibn AlArat r.a. relates:
I went to Ibn Abbas r.a....
"I said to Him: Tell me about fasting on ‘Asyurah.
He said, "When you seen the new moon of Muharram count the (days) and (begin to) observe fast on the 9th."
I said to him: "Is it how the Holy Messenger of ALLAH s.w.t. observed the fast?"
He said, "Yes.".

The book of The Prophet s.a.w.'s sayings also stated that Ibn Abbas r.a. relates that when The Holy Nabi s.a.w said:
"If I survive till next year, I will definitely observe fast on the 9th of Muharram (as well)."

It is advisable that the 'Asyurah fast should either be preceded or followed by another fast.
One should fast two days - the 9th and 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th.

******

Yom Kippur is observed nationally, and is a national holiday in Israel where the country came to a virtual standstill as Israelis across the country began observing the holiest day of their calendar after the ten day period of soul searching that began with the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.

Most of them spend their holiday in the synagogue, in prayer.

It  is observed by many, even though most Israelis are not Orthodox, these seculars set aside the day to 'afflict the soul', to atone for the sins of the past year.

Their mass synagogue attendance caused synagogue attendance to soar as this day is essentially the day of the last appeal, the last chance to change the judgment, to demonstrate the repentance and make amends.

On Yom Kippur, the judgment entered in these books is sealed.
Divine judgment of Jews is sealed and their fate is thus decided for the coming year.

The country almost stood on a standstill during the holy day with deafening silence. 

This year, Jewish Year 5771, Yom Kippur began on sunset September 17, 2010 till the nightfall of September 18, 2010.

******

Although there is no legal prohibition on eating in public but in practice, such action is frowned upon, and is considered impolite to eat in public on Yom Kippur, although they do not fast.

For those who fast, it means undergoing the complete 25-hour fast, refraining from eating and drinking even plain water, beginning before sunset on the evening before, and ending after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur.

For the strict Talmud followers, additional restrictions are imposed on them, being prohibited to wash, bath, using of cosmetics or deodorants, wearing leather shoes and engaging in maritasexual relations are all prohibited on Yom Kippur.

It is customary to wear white, symbolising purity, on Yom Kippur.
Some people wear a kittel, the white robe in which the dead are buried.

******

Airports are shut down, planes are grounded, none in the sky, and all public transportation is halted.
There is no public transportation nor driving a motor vehicle.
Cars disappeared from roads and highways become empty, used mainly by children on bicycles seizing the rare opportunity to ride in the middle of the street.

Over the last few decades, bicycle-riding and inline skating on the empty streets has become a new tradition.

Emergency driving of cars are likely to be pelted with stones.

Stores, shops, cafes, all businesses are closed.

Yum Kippur sees the day when all Israeli radio and TV broadcasts go off air - No radio or television broadcasts and most likely, the Jews will not go online too, all cooped up with their atonement and their repentance.

How will our Yaumul 'Asyurah today going to be?

Dzulhijjah In Memory And The Drawn 1431 Curtain

Dzulhijjah, the twelfth and final month in the Islamic Lunar Calendar, marking the end of the year.

The CREATOR wants us all to end each of our living years with brotherhood forged and relationships rekindled, that is part of the reason why Haj to Mecca,

being at the centre of the earth, was set during the holy Dzulhijjah month.

Yes, it's one of the four holy months beside the holy Muharram, the first month of each year.
Both are holy months, and GOD strictly forbids fighting but building understanding and relationship for the betterment of all living creatures.

But, when one human's ego is bigger than his head, it is enough to stir anger in some of wicker and wicked hearts beings.
Then dissatisfaction and resentment went spiral, is going, and continues to...

Sacred or not the month of Dzulhijjah is, each heart's desire wins, despite GOD's blessing and warning that human's good (or evil?) deeds, are multiplied many times over.

Dzulhijjah is one of the month when one's heart will most likely be touched by HIS blessing or ...

"4- HE created mankind.

5- HE taught him the speech.

6- The sun and the moon are with calculations.

7- And the stars and the trees they both prostrate.

8- And the sky, HE Raised it and HE set up the Balance.

9- That do not exceed in the Balance.

10- And Establish the Weight with the Justice and do not reduce the Balance.

11- And the earth HE laid it down for the creatures.

12- In it and are date palms having fruit sheaths.

13- And the grains of fragrant having herbs flowers husk.

14-Then with which favours of RABB of you two, you two will?" - (Al-Qur'an 55: 4-14).

******

As Dzulhijjah 1431 drew its curtain on Sunday, clouds enveloped the sky the whole day.

"It is He Who created everything on the earth for you and then directed His attention up to heaven and arranged it into seven regular heavens. He has knowledge of all things." - (Qur'an, 2:29).

I had experienced of clouds like Sunday, with my phone roaming went dead the whole day.
Agitating to some, but ...
Those were days when our hearts and our whispers were heard...
To some who wants to believe ...

"The thunder glorifies HIS praise, as do the angels, out of fear of HIM.

HE discharges the thunderbolts, striking with them anyone HE wills. Yet still they argue about ALLAH when HE is inexorable in HIS Power!" - (Qur’an, 13:13) 

To some who wants to believe ...

****** 

It was the last days of Dzulhijjah 23 AH, or November 1st, 644 AD, that Saidina Umar r.a. while heading the morning prayer in Masjidin Nabawi, he was daggered with six blows over levy that he imposed on a foreign worker.
Thirteen others in the congregation were wounded, before the killer committed suicide by stabbing himself.

When he regained his conciousness, he reminded those surrounding him to stop praising his virtues and qualities.

He asked his son, Abdullah, to ask Aisyah r.a. for permission to be buried beside her Husband, The Prophet s.a.w., and her father, Saidina Abu Bakar r.a.
Umar was permitted to be buried, upon his death, close to to the two people that she was closed to, but with her weeping, she said,

"I had reserved the place for my own burial but I give Umar precedence over myself. Let him be buried there." 

Umar was indeed happy that having his greatest wish fulfilled, saying,

"GOD bless Aisyah. She has fulfilled my greatest wish. Now I can die in peace."

Nothing makes Umar happier than to be close with The Prophet s.a.w. and Saidina Abu Bakar r.a.

"... But I think Aisyah has given me permission out of respect for me. When I die, take me to her house and ask again for her permission..." 
"If she refused, bury me at Baqi'"

His son, Abdullah did as was instructed by his father when he passed away, and again, 'Aisyah gave her permission.

******

Before his death, Umar asked his son to estimate his unpaid debt - eighty six thousand dirhams*** inclusive of caliph salary that had been drawn from Baitul Mal.
His debt was to be paid from the money which his property will be put on sale.

About his funeral. he reminded his son to be moderate as should GOD Sees anything good in him, and should he is in GOD's favour, then GOD will change him a better shroud.
If otherwise, then he will be strip of all he has.

"... And be moderate in the grave that you dig for me, for verily if there be anything of good with GOD in my favour, HE will widen it for me, and if I have otherwise, HE will make it narrow for me to squeeze my body. "All Praise is to ALLAH. If all the treasures of this world were to be at my disposal, I would offer them as a ransom to be saved from the trial at the Day of Judgement." Umar continued.

These are words who succeeded Saidina Abu Bakar r.a., who, The Prophet s.a.w. had once remarked, "Abu Bakar's name shall be called out from all the gates of Paradise.

But the humble Saidina Abu Bakar r.a. used to say,
"I wish I were a tree that would be cut and done away with." 

"I wish I were a blade of grass, whose life ended with the razing by some beast." 

"I wish I were a hair on the body of a believer."

There was once when he was in a garden, seeing a singing bird, sighing deeply, he said,
"Oh bird, how lucky you are! You eat, you drink and fly under the shade of the trees, and you fear no reckoning of the Day of Judgement. I wish I were just like you."

Saidina Abu Bakar r.a. missed The Prophet s.a.w. so much that when he was ill, he was counting the days to eagerly waiting to 'see' The Prophet s.a.w.

He was always asking his companion,
"What day is it?" They said Saturday.

The next day he asked again
"What day is it?" They said Sunday.

Then he said, "I might die either today or tomorrow.
I wish to die on the same day as The Prophet."
But he did not.

He passed away (of food poisoning) on Tuesday Jumadil Akhir 21, 13 AH (August 23, 634 AD), befitting his ranking as the first caliph after the demise of The Prophet s.a.w., which was on Monday.

****** 

"The Messenger Believes in what has been Revealed to him from His LORD, as do the people of Faith. 
Each one believes in GOD, HIS angels, HIS books, and HIS apostles. 
"We make no distinction they say between one and another of HIS Messengers" 
And they say, 
"We hear, and we obey. 
We seek THY forgiveness, our LORD, and to YOU is all journey's end."

On no soul does GOD place a burden greater than it is able to bear. 
It receives every good that it has earned, and it will suffer every ill that it has earned. 
Pray: 
"Our LORD! Do not condemn us if we forget or fall into error! 
Do not lay on us a burden greater than we have the strength to bear. 
Blot out our sins, and grant us YOUR Forgiveness. 
Have Mercy on us. YOU are our Protector. 
Help us against those who stand against Faith." - (Qur'an, 2:285, 86).

*** In Pre-Islamic Persia, a dirham retained a stable gold value of about 4 gram. 

In the Islamic period, Saidina Umar r.a. himself introduced silver coins which was small unit weight of about 3 gram.

The Common Prophets Of Samawi Religions

Today's the 10th of Muharram - The 10th day of the 1st month in Muslim's calender 1431.
Many incidences took place on this date.

The 1st rain to fall on earth was on the 10th of Muharram.
That's what according to Ustaz Osman Jantan in his book 'Hari-Hari Penting Dalam Islam'.

Prophet Adam a.s. was forgiven to have eaten the forbidden apple on this date too.
He was banished to the world with wife Hawa (Eve).
They were temporarily separated but met again on Jabal Rahmah at Arafah in Saudi Arabia.

On the 10th of Muharram, Prophet Noah a.s.'s Ark was said to land on Mount Ararat.
It is known as Mount Judi as in the Quran, a place somewhere between Armenia and Turkey, after the worst 40 days and nights flood on earth.

"Then the word went forth: 

"O earth! swallow up thy water, 

and O sky! Withhold (the rain)!" 

and the water abated, and the matter was ended. 

The Ark rested on Mount Judi, and the word went forth: 

"Away with those who do wrong." 

- AlQur'an, Surah Hud, verse 44.

Scientists and Christian missionaries had made several attempts climbing the mountain and exploring the Ark. National Geography had documented their expeditions and shown on television.    
The discovery of utensils dated back to the worst flood on earth in the Black Sea in Russia by divers looking for proof, confirmed the Bible statements.

For the Malay-Muslims, the incident is remembered with 'Asyura porridge' - mixture of beans, cereals and livestocks - boiled till soft.
'Asyura is derived from Arabic word 'asyara - Ten.

The believer of Prophet Moses a.s. observe this date too.
The day when Prophet Moses a.s. made a safe crossing across the Red Sea with his followers, to escape being killed by Moses own adopted father, the Pharaoh - Ramses II.

Scientists, after making an extensive research, confirmed that a very strong wind had blown in 2 opposite directions into the Red Sea water.
It resulted a temporary dry land in the sea.
Moses adopted father drowned in the sea when the wind stopped blowing away the seawater in 2 opposite directions.
His body was later drifted ashore, preserved, mummified and exhibited worldwide.

"This day shall we save you in your body

that you may be a sign  to those who came after you! 

but verily many among mankind are heedless of our signs."
- AlQur'an, Surah Yunus verse 92.       
     
When Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. arrived in Medina and found that the Jews indeed fast on 'Asyura day, commemorating the Passover, Muslims are greatly encouraged to fast an additional day, before or after the 'Asyura - To disassociate them from Judaism practice.