Start the Islamic Year with Compassion and Purpose

Time marches forward, but some months offer timeless guidance. Muharram is one such sacred month steeped in history, honour, and immense spiritual opportunity.

At Rahma Mercy, compassion is at the heart of our mission. And in a month whose name itself reflects divine mercy and remembrance, we're reminded of the profound ways we can embody that compassion through fasting, charity, reflection, and renewed intention.

As we welcome the new Islamic year, let us enter Muharram with sincerity and purpose. May this month be a chance to reconnect with our values, recommit to service, and reflect deeply on the legacy of sacrifice, resilience, and hope that Muharram holds.

The Sacredness of Muharram

Allah says in the Qur'an:

Muharram is the first of the four sacred months, a time in which good deeds are multiplied, and sins are considered major. The word Muharram itself means “forbidden” signifying the deep reverence with which this month is held. Warfare and injustice were historically prohibited during this month, reflecting its sanctity.

Notice how the Prophet (saw) referred to it as “the month of Allah” a rare and honourable description not given to any other month. This divine connection reminds us that Muharram isn't just about personal piety it's about recognising and honouring Allah's commands with sincerity and action.

Ashura: A Day of Faith, Fasting, and Mercy

The month of Muharram is not just the start of a new Islamic year it's a time filled with reflection, remembrance, and immense spiritual opportunity. At its heart lies the Day of Ashura (10th Muharram), a day steeped in history and divine mercy.

It was on this day that Allah saved Prophet Musa (Moses) and the Children of Israel from Pharaoh's oppression. In recognition of this, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) fasted on Ashura and encouraged his followers to do the same.

But why do we fast two days the 9th and 10th or 10th and 11th of Muharram?

This was to distinguish the Muslim practice from that of the Jewish community and to enhance the spiritual reward. Fasting these days is a beautiful Sunnah and a way to connect ourselves with a history of resilience and divine deliverance.

Turning Worship into Mercy

While fasting is deeply personal, its effect reaches far beyond ourselves. It is an act that softens the heart, reminds us of others' struggles, and calls us to respond with compassion.

Fasting teaches empathy. It mirrors the hunger experienced daily by countless individuals in the very communities we serve. Across Albania and the Balkans, many families live in poverty. Mothers skip meals so their children can eat. Children go to sleep with empty stomachs. They fast not out of choice, but out of circumstance.

This Muharram, let us make our fast more meaningful.

Let it remind us: we cannot truly nourish our souls unless we care for the bodies of others.

Charity: Manifesting Rahma

Muharram is a month of charity and social responsibility. In the spirit of Ashura, we are reminded of the ultimate sacrifices made by the Prophet's (saw) family, particularly Hussain (RA), whose martyrdom calls us to uphold justice, dignity, and compassion.

Islamic tradition teaches us that giving in sacred times yields multiplied rewards.

This month, let your generosity manifest in rahma! Support the most needy, support the orphan project pot, fund an education project, or build a well in a village deprived of clean water.

At Rahma Mercy, your donations go directly to transforming lives. Whether it's building institutes of knowledge in Albania or providing emergency relief to vulnerable communities, your acts of charity in Muharram will ripple into long-lasting impact.

Suggested Acts of Mercy

To help you make the most of Muharram, here are some simple yet powerful actions:

• Fast on the 9th and 10th of Muharram (or 10th and 11th)
• Give Sadaqah with the intention of mercy and renewal
• Donate towards the Rahma Mercy institute
• Pray extra Nawafil to increase your connection with Allah
• Make sincere du'a for the Ummah, especially for those facing hardship
• Read stories of Karbala, honouring the legacy of those who stood for truth

Reflection & Legacy

Muharram is not just a historical remembrance; it is a spiritual opportunity. It is a time to look inward and ask: What legacy am I building? Am I being a source of mercy for others?

As we remember the trials faced by the Prophet Musa (AS) on Ashura, or the sacrifices of (RA), we are called to rise above injustice, self-interest, and forgetfulness. Let this be a month of deep reflection, one where we draw closer to Allah and align ourselves with timeless values of compassion, courage, and faith.

Start Muharram with Compassion

Start this sacred month not only with worship but with action. Let your compassion shape your year. Sponsor a child's education. Sponsor an imam. Deliver food aid. Support community upliftment in the Balkans. When you give through Rahma Mercy, you're not just giving charity, you're giving hope, dignity, and opportunity.

Let this Muharram mark a new chapter of mercy in your life and in the lives of those you touch.

Conclusion: Begin the Islamic Year with Purpose and Mercy

Muharram is the opening of a new spiritual year, a moment to reset your intentions and begin the year with Allah at the centre of your life.

Through fasting, prayer, and charity, we can draw closer to Allah and fulfil our duty to care for the vulnerable.

Let your first step into this blessed year be one of mercy.

Donate. Reflect. Connect. Serve.

And may Allah accept your deeds, forgive your sins, and make this year a source of immense reward.