FIRST REMINDER. Thursday. 8th day of Muharram. THE BEST WEEK OF MUHARRAM BEGINS TODAY. BismilLaah The month of Muharram is a great and blessed month. It is the first month of the Hijri year and is one of the sacred months concerning which Allah says (To the nearest meaning): “Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are Sacred, (i.e. the 1st, the 7th, the 11th and the 12th months of the Islamic calendar). That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein”[Soorat at-Tawbah 9:36]. The words of Allah (interpretation of the meaning): “so wrong not yourselves therein” [Soorat at-Tawbah 9:36] mean: (do not wrong yourselves) in these sacred months, because doing so is a greater sin than at other times. It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said, concerning the words of Allah “so wrong not yourselves therein” [Soorat at-Tawbah 9:36]: (The command not to wrong yourself) applies in all months, then Allah singled out four months and made them sacred, and emphasised their sanctity, and He made sin during these months more grave, and He made righteous deeds and the reward thereof greater. SHEIKH Qataadah said, concerning the words “so wrong not yourselves therein”: Wrongdoing during the sacred months is more serious and incurs a greater burden of sin than in other months. Wrongdoing is a serious matter in any circumstances, but Allah makes whatever He wills of His commands carry more weight. And HE said: Allah has chosen elites from His creation: from among the angels He chose Messengers, from among mankind He chose Messengers, from among speech He chose remembrance of Him (dhikr), from among spaces on earth He chose the masjids, from among the months He chose Ramadan and the sacred months, from among days He chose Friday (Jumu‘ah), and from among nights He chose Laylat al-Qadr. So venerate that which has been chosen by Allah, for people of understanding and wisdom respect that which has been chosen by Allah. From Tafseer Ibn Katheer (may Allah have mercy on him), commentary on Soorat at-Tawbah verse 36. To be continued in shaa Allaah on the upcoming fasting from tomorrow Friday if you are not Fasting today till Monday continuesly be-iznilLah. May Allah keep guiding us all and protect us from any satanic influences. Aameen. If you are not Fasting, you can still decide now and continue if you wish to fast and not taken your breakfast yet.