Intention of Fasting in Muharram, Procedures, and Important Things to Know

Kapanlagi.com - In the month of Muharram, there is a voluntary fasting that can be done by Muslims. Muharram fasting can be done for one day, two days, or throughout Muharram if it is not burdensome for you.

For those of you who want to benefit in the first month of the Hijri calendar, it is reasonable to want to know more about the intention of Muharram fasting and its virtues. This virtue is also stated by Prophet Muhammad SAW in the following hadith:

"Narrated by Abu Hurairah ra, he said: 'The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: 'The most virtuous fasting after Ramadan is fasting in the month of Allah, Muharram, and the most virtuous prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer." (HR Muslim).

Therefore, to have a better understanding in performing the worship, you can refer to the information about the intention of Muharram fasting, procedures, and its virtues as reported from several sources below.

1. Explanation Regarding the Fasting of Muharram

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Still related to the saying of Prophet Muhammad SAW above, the authentic hadith serves as clear evidence. It means that the hadith is very clear in showing the legal conclusion that after Ramadan, the most important month for fasting is Muharram.

Although Prophet Muhammad SAW fasted more in the month of Sha'ban, the virtue of fasting in Muharram should not be underestimated. There are many possibilities that caused Prophet Muhammad to fast more in the month of Sha'ban than in Muharram.

Based on information from islam.nu.or.id, the possible reasons are that Prophet Muhammad SAW was only informed of the virtue of fasting in Muharram that surpasses Sha'ban in the later years of his life, or even though he knew, he did not have the opportunity to increase fasting in Muharram due to various obstacles, such as illness, travel, and so on (Yahya bin Syaraf an-Nawawi, al-Minhaj Syarhun Shahih Muslim bin al-Hajjaj, [Beirut, Darul Ihya-it Turatsil 'Arabi, 1392 H], second edition, volume VIII, p. 55).

Indeed, fasting in Muharram can be done throughout the month. However, there are certain days that are more virtuous for observing the fast. Based on hadiths and explanations from scholars quoted from NU Online, those days are the first 10 days of Muharram, including the day of Tasu'a (9th Muharram), the day of Ashura (10th Muharram), and the 11th of Muharram.

2. Intention of Fasting Muharram and How to Do It

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Technically, you can observe Muharram fasting using the following steps:

1. Make the intention for Muharram fasting in your heart. Generally, fasting for the first 10 days of Muharram, Tasu'a fasting, Ashura fasting, and fasting on the 11th day of Muharram can be done with a general intention, similar to other voluntary fasts. However, there is a preferable intention that you can follow as mentioned below.

Nawaitu shaumal Muharrami lilahi ta'ala.
Meaning, "I intend to fast Muharram for the sake of Allah ta'ala."

Intention for Tasu'a fasting

Nawaitu shauma Tasu'a-a lilahi ta'ala.
Meaning, "I intend to fast Tas'a for the sake of Allah ta'ala."

Intention for Ashura fasting

Nawaitu shauma Asyura-a lilahi ta'ala.
Meaning, "I intend to fast Ashura for the sake of Allah ta'ala."

In addition to the intention in the heart, it is also recommended to express the intention for Muharram fasting verbally.

2. Have a pre-dawn meal (sahur) before starting the Muharram fast, similar to fasting in general, which involves eating before dawn, before the start of fasting.

3. Refrain from activities that invalidate the fast, such as eating, drinking, and others.

4. Guard the tongue and heart from things that invalidate the fast, such as using foul language, gossiping, and committing other sins. To clarify this further, consider the following words of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):

"Many people who fast do not get anything from their fast except hunger and thirst." (Narrated by an-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah from the hadith of Abu Hurairah ra). (Abul Fadl al-'Iraqi, al-Mughni 'an Hamlil Asfâr, [Riyadh: Maktabah Thabariyyah, 1414 H/1995 M], volume I, p. 186).

5. Break your fast immediately when Maghrib time arrives.

3. The Virtues of Fasting Muharram

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There are many virtues that you can obtain after uttering the intention to fast in Muharram, and carrying it out until breaking the fast. Five of these virtues are:

1. Fasting in Muharram is the most virtuous fast after Ramadan. An explanation about this has been mentioned above.

2. It is included in the noble months of fasting.

3. The reward for fasting one day in Muharram is equal to the reward of fasting for 30 days. This is mentioned in the following narration:

"Narrated from Ibn Abbas ra, he said: 'The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever fasts on the day of Arafah, his sins from two years will be forgiven, and whoever fasts one day from the month of Muharram, he will receive the reward of fasting for every day, which is equal to fasting for 30 days.'" (Narrated by at-Thabarani in al-Mu'jamus Shaghir). This is a gharib hadith but its chain is not problematic). (Abdul Adhim bin Abdul Qawi al-Mundziri, at-Targhibu wat Tarhibu minal Haditsisy Syarif, [Beirut, Darul Kutubil 'Ilmiyyah], volume II, p. 70).

4. Fasting on the day of Ashura (10th of Muharram) will expiate the sins of the past year. The explanation regarding this can be found in the following narration,

"Narrated from Abu Qatadah ra: The Prophet saw was asked about the virtue of fasting on the day of Ashura, and he answered: 'Fasting on Ashura expiates the sins of the past year'." (Narrated by Muslim).

5. Fasting on the 9th of Muharram (Tasu'a) and the 11th of Muharram completes the fast of Ashura and distinguishes it from the Jews who also fast on the day of Ashura.

"Narrated from Ibn Abbas ra with marfu status (the Prophet said): 'Fast on the day of Ashura and differentiate yourselves from the Jews, fast a day before or after it'. (Narrated by Ahmad).

That is the explanation of one of the acts of worship in the noble month, namely the intention of fasting in Muharram complete with the procedure and explanation of its virtue.

(Source: Republika.co.id, Islam.nu.or.id)

(kpl/ans)