Fasting On The Day Of 'Ashura: Another Door To Draw Us Close To Allah Almighty

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

Another door is opening for us to draw close to Allah Almighty. This Saturday is Muharram 10, also known as the Day of 'Ashura. 'Ashura commemorates the day that Allah saved the Children of Israel from Fir'aun and it is recommended to fast on this day.

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

"Fasting the day of 'Ashura' (is of great merits), I hope that Allah will accept it as an expiation for (the sins committed in) the previous year."

(Muslim)

When the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, arrived in Madinah in 622 CE, he found that the Jews there fasted on Muharram 10. He asked them why they were fasting and they told him that it was an auspicious day: the day on which Allah saved Musa and his people and drowned Firaun and his people. Musa fasted out of gratitude to Allah and his people continued the practice after him. The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, told the Jews that his nation was closer to Musa than them. He then fasted that day and ordered his Companions to fast. (Bukhari and Muslim)

The following year, Allah commanded the Muslims to fast the month of Ramadan, and the fasting of 'Ashura' became optional. It is also reported that the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, intended to fast on the ninth and tenth. Ibn 'Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah fasted on the day of 'Ashura' and ordered the people to fast on it. The people said, "O Messenger of Allah, it is a day that the Jews and Christians honor." The Prophet said, "When the following year comes, Allah willing, we shall fast on the ninth." The death of the Prophet came before the following year. (Muslim and Abu Dawud)

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, recommended that his Ummah also fast the day before (Friday Muharram 9) or the day after (Sunday Muharram 11) so that our tradition be distinct from the tradition of the Jews.

We should also renew our repentance on `Ashura. The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said that it is a day on which Allah allowed a certain people to repent and He will continue to allow others to do the same. (Tirmidhi)

It has been narrated that if someone spends generously upon his family on the Day of `Ashura’ Allah will treat with him generosity for the rest of the year. Sufyan bin `Uyayna said, “We tried this for fifty years and all that we saw was good.” It has likewise been narrated that the one who gives charity on this day will have the reward of a whole year’s charity.

May Allah Most High accept your fasting and all your good deeds and erase your sins. Ameen.

Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam