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These were the conditions of the Arabs in pre-Islamic Arabia. It was the duty of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. to change them in the light of Islam. Within twenty-three years of struggling to achieve this end, he had successfully established an Islamic city-state in Medinah where people lived in harmony and prosperity. It became a model of what is called in the Qur‘ān, ... ―… a fair land and an Oft-Forgiving Lord!‖ (Q. 34:15)
39. MUH.ARRAM & ‗ĀSHŪRĀ‘ The name of the first month of the lunar calendar is called Muh.arram (30 days) because it is one of the four months where the preIslamic Arabs h.arām (prohibited) from fighting. The other months were Rajab, Dhū-l Qi‗dah, and Dhū ‘l-H.ijjah. The ‗Āshūrā‘ is the 10th of the month of Muh.arram where Muslims fast voluntarily. Among important events occurring on this date of the month are as follows: a. the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and their relief from the bondage of Pharaoh. b. Prophet Noah‘s ark landed at the top of Ararat called in the Qur‘ān alJūdī c. the assassination of the Prophet's grand-son al-H.usayn at Karbalā‘. A. The exodus of the Israelites from the bondage of Pharaoh in Egypt. Muslims are recommended to fast on this day in commemoration of the escape of the Israelites from bondage. There are nine h.adīths about it, among which are as follows: 1.
On the authority of ‗Ā‘ishah r.a., she said, ―The Quraysh tribe used to fast on ‘Āshūrā’ in pre Islamic era, and the Messenger of Allah used to fast on