Best Deeds
Question :

What are the best deeds of the month of Muharram?

Answer :

Participating in the mourning of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him).

Best Things in Ashura
Question :

I have only recently joined the school of the Ahlulbait (Peace be upon them) over a year ago. Please explain to me my duties in Ashura?

Answer :

The greatest and the most tragic calamity to the friends of Allah and His righteous slaves happened on the day of Ashura. The son of the Messenger of Allah's daughter, his companions and family members including the infant child were killed and their bodies were scattered afterwards. The enemies attacked the tents in which the women and children gathered amongst which were the family members of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).
The Imams of the Ahlulbait (peace be upon them) remembered this day by recounting the tragedy and expressing their sadness and grief. They also ordered their followers to do the same.
They also emphasized visiting the grave of the oppressed Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) on this day or recite the Ziyara if visiting his grave in Kerbala is not an option.

The Day of Ashura
Question :

Is it prohibited to greet people by saying "Salam-Alaikum" on the Day of Ashura, 10th of Muharram?

Answer :

It is permissible to offer the believers such greetings on the tenth of Muharram. It is recommended for the believers to also offer their condolences to each other in the grief of the tragedy of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) by saying: “Addhamallahu ujoorana bi-Musabil-Husain, wa Ja’alana wa Iyyakum minat-Talibeen bi Tharihim ma’a Waliyyihi al-Imam al-Mahdi min Aali Mohammad.”
The translation: “May Allah greaten your reward because the tragedy of Imam Hussein and make you and us amongst the seekers of his revenge with Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance)”.

Taking the Turban off
Question :

Is it necessary to take off the turban on the Day of Ashura and on the night of the 11th of Muharram?

Answer :

Removing the turban is not obligatory but it could be – in some countries and based on certain conventional understandings – an expression of sadness and grief on what had happened to Imam Hussein and the Ahlulbait (peace be upon them) in Karbala when they faced numerous kinds of tragedies like their decapitation and placing their heads on spears.

Permissible and Prohibited in Muharram
Question :

What is permissible and prohibited in the month of Muharram?

Answer :

All what believers do in order to express their grief and sadness and show their loyalty to the Ahlulbait (peace be upon them) are amongst the best of deeds. One should do so in such a way that the person is not harmed with a prohibited kind of harm.

The Day of Ashura
Question :

People distribute drinks in bottles in religious gatherings on the day of Ashura in the name of the Ahlulbait (peace be upon them) and some people take it home and drink it to cure their illnesses. Is this permissible?

Answer :

It is permissible to seek the blessings from whatever is related to the Prophet and the Imams (peace be upon them all).

Studying in Ashura
Question :

Please inform if I can study for academic exams on 9th and 10th of Muharram? Is studying for worldly education prohibited on Ashura?

Answer :

It is not prohibited to study in the day or the night of Ashura.

Miscellaneous
Question :

Is it appropriate to engage in sports activities like cricket, football, tennis etc. on the eve or day of Ashura?

Answer :

Engaging in such activities on the night or day of Ashura is not in accordance to what has been narrated from the Imams (peace be upon them) in the exhortation to express grief and sadness over the tragedy suffered by Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), his household and companions on the day of Ashura.

20 Safar
Question :

Sometimes I get marriage invitations from non-Muslim or non-Shia friends in the month of Safar before 20th Safar (Arba’een). Could you please advise whether we can attend weddings during these days?

Answer :

These days are days of sadness and mourning for the Shia because of the tragedies that befell the Ahlulbait in this period of the year.

Sex During Muharram
Question :

Can I have sex with my wife during the month of Muharram?

Answer :

Yes, it is permissible.