Islam doesn’t permit celebrating special days, like: new year, anniversaries, birthdays etc. In Islam, whatever Shariah prescribes will be taken into account and must be acted upon. Knowing this injunction, a Muslim must have been automatically far away from celebrating 31st night or New Year’s arrival or birthday and all similar occasions. But the heartbreaking truth is that many among our Muslims brothers are completely ignorant, unconcerned and thoughtless regarding this issue. Moreover, we totally forget the Hijri Calendar. We do not know its importance and how it started. Neither do we take any interest nor do we feel that keeping track of Hijri Calendar and dates help a Muslim act upon good deeds in a much more organized way.

As a Muslim, we must make our basic concepts and understanding of Islam very clear. This is indeed the first and foremost obligation of a Muslim. For not knowing the right thing at the right time many problems in a Muslim’s life arises. A very common problem is, we become puzzled in many situations and we suffer from inferiority complex. We start doubting Deen, doubting the Promise of Allah Taala and so on (May Allah Taala save all of us from such state). All these happen for our weak Iman and not that Islam is inferior or incomplete!

By following the non-believers we would only lose our dignity and respect. By abandoning their lifestyle we’ll get closer to Allah Taala and His Rasool. No occasions should be followed without Quran and Hadith reference.

We know that Muharram is a blessed month. Many incidents took place in this month. It is Sunnah to fast on the 10 of Muharram and add another Fast just before or after 10th Muharram. So we may either fast on the 9th and 10th of Muharram or we may fast on the 10th and 11th of Muharram. It is mentioned in Hadith that, our Beloved Rasulullah Sallallahu alaiyhi wa sallam took most care to fast in Ramadan and just next to it, he gave importance on Ashura’s (10th Muharram’s) Fasting. It is Makruh to fast only on 10th Muharram, because, Rasulullah Sallallahu alaiyhi was sallam told his Ummah to fast for two days just as mentioned earlier. This is to make a difference with the Jews, who fast only on 10th Muharram.

One great incident which took place in Muharram is Hazrat Adam (AM) and his wife’s Tawba (Repentance) were accepted by Allah Taala. And it happened on the 10th of Muharram. So inshallah, there is great hope that if we repent sincerely on 10th Muharram, we will also be forgiven.

The Shias are violating the Shariah completely by acting upon baseless things in this very Sacred Month. Expressing any sort of grievance in their manner is a major sin – completely forbidden (haraam). In one Hadith, Hazrat Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam informed us that he has no relation with those who beat up their faces, tear up their clothes and utter words of Jahilia (the ignorant days).

Another wrong regarding 10th Muharram is that the Qiyamah will occur on this day. This narration of Hadith is not authentic (Kitabul Mawzuwat 2/202). However, Qiyamah will occur on Jummah day is all right (Tirmizi 2/362).

Hazrat Hussain (R) was martyred on this day. This was a sad incident indeed, but expressing sadness in a way which Shariah doesn’t permit is never accepted. And for this Ummah, the Passing away of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaiyhiwa Sallam was no doubt much more mournful! But do we or will we celebrate his Birth or Death Day? Is that the Teaching of Quran or Hadith? Had any Sahaba (R), who loved the Rasulullah Sallallahu alaiyhi wa Sallam much more than their own lives did such thing? Never. So let us purify ourselves by abolishing all unwanted deeds and turn to Allah Taala. May He provide us the right understanding! Ameen.

Source: https://islambestreligion.wordpress.com/2010/12/07/the-lesson-of-muharram/