The month of Muharram is the month of sadness for the Ahl al-Bayt (عليه السلام) and their followers. In this respect, Imam al-Rida (عليه السلام) is reported to have said,
With the beginning of Muharram, my father (عليه السلام) would never smile at all. He would be dominated by depression for ten days. The tenth of this month would be the day of his misfortune, sadness, and weeping. He used to say that on this day Imam al-Husayn (عليه السلام) was slain.
THE FIRST NIGHT OF MUHARRAM
Sayyid Ibn Tawus, in Iqbal al-A’mal, has mentioned that a number of prayers should be advisably offered at this night:
100 rakaat prayer
A one hundred unit prayer with Surahs al-Fātiḥah and al-Tawḥīd.
2 rakaat prayer
A two unit prayer at the first of which Surahs al-Fatehah and al-An’am (No. 6) are recited and at the second unit Surahs al-Fātiḥah and Yasin (No. 36).
2 rakaat prayer
A two unit prayer at each of which Surah al-Fātiḥah is recited once and Surah al-Tawḥīd is repeated eleven times is offered.
The Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم) is reported to have said that whoever offers this prayer at this night and observes fasting the next day, which is the first day in the year, the year will be wholly good for him, and he will be saved throughout the year, and if he dies, he will be allowed Paradise.
Sayyid Ibn Tawus has also mentioned a lengthy supplication to be recited at the sight of the new moon of Muharram.
THE FIRST DAY OF MUHARRAM
There are two acts that are recommended on the first day of Muharram:
Fast
It is recommended to observe fasting on this day. Rayyan ibn Shabib has reported that Imam al-Rida (عليه السلام) said, “Just as He responded to the prayer of Prophet Zachariah, Almighty Allah shall respond the prayer of one who observes fasting on this day and prays Him.”
2 rakaat prayer
Imam al-Rida (عليه السلام) is reported to have said that the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم), on the first of Muharram, used to offer a two unit prayer. When he finished, he would raise his hands towards the heavens and repeat the following supplication three times:
اَللّٰهُمَّ اَنْتَ الْاِلَهُ الْقَدِيمُ وَ هَذِهِ سَنَةٌ جَدِيدَةٌ فَاَسْاَلُكَ فِيهَا الْعِصْمَةَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ وَ الْقُوَّةَ عَلَى هَذِهِ النَّفْسِ الْاَمَّارَةِ بِالسُّوءِ وَ الاشْتِغَالَ بِمَا يُقَرِّبُنِي اِلَيْكَ يَا كَرِيمُ يَا ذَا الْجَلالِ وَ الْاِكْرَامِ يَا عِمَادَ مَنْ لا عِمَادَ لَهُ يَا ذَخِيرَةَ مَنْ لا ذَخِيرَةَ لَهُ يَا حِرْزَ مَنْ لا حِرْزَ لَهُ يَا غِيَاثَ مَنْ لا غِيَاثَ لَهُ يَا سَنَدَ مَنْ لا سَنَدَ لَهُ يَا كَنْزَ مَنْ لا كَنْزَ لَهُ يَا حَسَنَ الْبَلاءِ يَا عَظِيمَ الرَّجَاءِ يَا عِزَّ الضُّعَفَاءِ يَا مُنْقِذَ الْغَرْقَى يَا مُنْجِيَ الْهَلْكَى يَا مُنْعِمُ يَا مُجْمِلُ يَا مُفْضِلُ يَا مُحْسِنُ، اَنْتَ الَّذِي سَجَدَ لَكَ سَوَادُ اللَّيْلِ وَ نُورُ النَّهَارِ وَ ضَوْءُ الْقَمَرِ وَ شُعَاعُ الشَّمْسِ وَ دَوِيُّ الْمَاءِ وَ حَفِيفُ الشَّجَرِ يَا اللّٰهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَكَ اَللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلْنَا خَيْرا مِمَّا يَظُنُّونَ وَ اغْفِرْ لَنَا مَا لا يَعْلَمُونَ وَ لا تُؤَاخِذْنَا بِمَا يَقُولُونَ حَسْبِيَ اللّٰهُ لا اِلَهَ اِلا هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَ هُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ آمَنَّا بِهِ كُلٌّ مِنْ عِنْدِ رَبِّنَا وَ مَا يَذَّكَّرُ اِلا اُولُوا الْاَلْبَابِ رَبَّنَا لا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ اِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَ هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ الْوَهَّابُ
