The Islamic year begins with Muharram ul Haram, the first month of the Hijri Calendar. While followers of other religions spend their opening month in merriment, the first month of Islam teaches us lessons of admonition, good counselling, knowledge of Allah Ta’ala, sacrifice, selflessness, patience and seeking the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala.
The tenth day of Muharram (Ashurah) has many distinctive qualities and features. Allah Ta’ala created the heavens and the earth on this blessed day. On this day He gave His infinite blessings and bounties to many of His Prophets and delivered them from the clutches of their enemies.
Allah Ta’ala created Hazrat Adam (Alaihis-Salam) in this month, pardoned him of his mistake, and Hazrat Noah’s (Alaihis-Salam) Ark landed successfully on Mount Judi, and he saved Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihis-Salam) from fire and rescued Hazrat Musa (Alaihis-Salam) from Pharaoh.
On the first of Muharram offer 2 rakats Nafl prayer. In each rakat after Surah Fateha recite Surah Ikhlas 3 times. After the Salam pray to Allah Ta’ala for all your needs and desires. From the blessing of this prayer, Allah Ta’ala will appoint an angel for such a person. The angel will guide him or her to do only good deeds and prevent them in engaging in sinful acts.
On the eve of "Ashurah" offer 100 rakats Nafl. In each rakat recite Surah Ikhlas 3 times after Surah Fateha. After Salam recite first ‘Kalimah’ 100 times. Allah Ta’ala will forgive all the sins of such a person.
Dua-e-Ashurah - An insurance for a year’s Life
Hazrat Imam Zainul Abidain (Radi Allah Anhu) reports that who
ever recites this dua on the tenth of Muharram, any time after
sunrise and before sunset, or listens to its recitation from
someone else, Allah Ta’ala will certainly make it an
insurance for a years’ life for him, by keeping death away
from him. However, if one is to become the victim of death in
that year, they will by some strange coincidence not remember
to recite it.
Nafl Salat for the Eve of Ashurah
On the eve of Ashurah offer 4 rakats Nafl Salat as follows: In
every rakat after Surah Fateha recite "Ayetul Kursi"
once and Surah Ikhlas 3 times. After completing this Namaz
recite Surah Ikhlas 100 times. Allah Ta’ala will purify such
a person of all their sins and grant them endless bounties and
blessings in paradise.
