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As the Islamic New Year begins, many of us turn our attention to the Day of Ashura, the 10th of Muharram. We know it is a blessed day. We know fasting it carries immense reward. Yet often, Ashura arrives before we've had the chance to prepare our hearts for it.
What if we approached these first ten days differently?
What if, instead of treating Muharram as just another month on the calendar, we saw it as an opportunity for renewal? A chance to reconnect with Allah, strengthen our faith, and begin the year with purpose.
Muharram is not just the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Qur'an. The Prophet ď·ş honored it by calling it "Allah's month," highlighting its special status among the months of the year.
As we count down to the 10th of Muharram, here are ten meaningful acts of worship that can help us draw closer to Allah and prepare ourselves spiritually for the blessed day of Ashura.
No matter what mistakes we have made, no matter how far we feel from Allah, His mercy remains greater than our sins.
Allah says:
"Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.'"The Prophet ď·ş said:
"The one who repents from a sin is like one who did not commit any sin."Before Ashura arrives, spend a few moments reflecting on your relationship with Allah. Ask yourself what habits, sins, or distractions may be preventing you from becoming the person you want to be. Then turn to Allah sincerely.
A new Islamic year is the perfect time for a fresh start.
The Prophet ď·ş said:
"Supplication is worship."Dua is more than asking Allah for things. It is a declaration of dependence. It is an acknowledgment that every blessing comes from Him and every difficulty can only truly be relieved by Him.
Use these days to increase your conversations with Allah.
Ask Him for guidance. Ask Him for forgiveness. Ask Him for steadfastness. Ask Him to make this year better than the last.
Every sincere dua strengthens the bond between the servant and his Lord.
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah ď·ş said:
"The best fasting after the month of Ramadan is fasting in Allah's month of Muharram, and the best prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer."Notice how the Prophet ď·ş referred to Muharram as "Allah's month."
This sacred month offers a unique opportunity to increase in worship and self-discipline. If possible, plan to fast the 9th and 10th of Muharram, or the 10th and 11th, following the guidance of the Prophet ď·ş.
The Prophet ď·ş said:
"Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah will receive a reward, and that reward will be multiplied by ten. I do not say that Alif-Lam-Mim is one letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter, and Mim is a letter."Muharram is an ideal time to renew your relationship with the Qur'an.
Read a few verses daily. Reflect on their meanings. Listen attentively to recitation.
Allow the words of Allah to shape your thoughts and actions.
The heart that stays connected to the Qur'an never remains spiritually empty for long.
The last third of the night offers precisely that opportunity.
The Prophet ď·ş said:
"Our Lord, Blessed and Exalted is He, descends every night to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains and says: 'Who is calling upon Me so that I may answer him? Who is asking of Me so that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?'"Imagine receiving such an invitation from the Lord of the Worlds every single night.
Even two rak'ahs prayed sincerely before Fajr can transform a person's heart.
The Prophet ď·ş said:
"Shall I not inform you of the best of your deeds, the purest of them with your Lord, the highest of them in your ranks, and better for you than spending gold and silver, and better for you than meeting your enemy and striking their necks while they strike yours?" They said, "Certainly." He said: "The remembrance of Allah."Simple phrases such as:
The Prophet ď·ş said:
"Charity extinguishes sins just as water extinguishes fire."He also said regarding the seven people who will be shaded by Allah on the Day of Judgment:
Before Ashura arrives, look for an opportunity to help someone quietly and sincerely.
The reward is with Allah.
The Messenger of Allah ď·ş said:
"Whoever would like his provision to be increased and his lifespan to be extended, let him maintain ties of kinship."Perhaps there is a relative you have not spoken to recently.
Perhaps there is a relationship that needs healing.
One message. One phone call. One sincere effort.
Sometimes a small act of reconciliation can carry immense reward.
The Prophet ď·ş said:
"The first deed for which a servant will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection is his prayer. If it is sound, then he has succeeded and prospered. If it is deficient, then he has failed and lost."Before focusing on extraordinary acts of worship, strengthen the foundation.
Pray on time.
Pray attentively.
Pray as though you are standing before Allah.
Because you are.
Ibn Abbas (RA) reported:
"I never saw the Messenger of Allah ď·ş so keen to fast a day and give it preference over another except this day, the Day of Ashura."The Prophet ď·ş also said:
"Fasting the day of Ashura, I hope from Allah, expiates the sins of the previous year."A single day of fasting.
A year's worth of minor sins forgiven by the mercy of Allah.
What a tremendous gift from our Lord.
Do not allow Ashura to arrive without preparation. Approach it with intention, gratitude, and hope in Allah's mercy.
It is built through consistent acts of sincerity.
A heartfelt repentance. A sincere dua. A page of Qur'an. A quiet charity. A prayer offered with presence. These are the deeds that illuminate the heart. These are the deeds that bring us closer to Allah.
As Allah says:
"Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth." (Qur'an 24:35)May Allah allow us to reach the Day of Ashura with hearts full of faith, tongues busy in His remembrance, and souls illuminated by His guidance.
Ameen.
Ashura - Lest We Forget
