Day of 'Ashura, Fasting and Forgiveness of Sins

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

The 10th day of Muharram is called the Day of 'Ashura. It is recommended to fast on this day and the 9th or the 10th.

When the Prophet migrated to Madīnah he noticed that the Jews living there used to fast on this day and celebrate. Upon asking them why, they responded that this was the day when Allah saved Prophet Musa and his followers from Firʿawn by splitting the Red Sea for them and drowning the oppressive Egyptian army. They also noted that Prophet Musa himself fasted on this day as a sign of thanks to Allah. Upon hearing this, the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam responded, “We are closer to Musa than you are”, indicating that Musims should also be fasting on this day. The Prophet then ordered his followers to fast on the day of ʿĀshura as well.

Then, when the month of Ramadan was prescribed for fasting, the obligation for the day of ʿAshura was reduced to a recommendation. Some Companions chose not to fast on this day since the Prophet had given them the choice, but he himself continued to fast every year. In fact, ʿAbdullah ibn ʿAbbās related that he had never seen the Prophet so keen on fasting any other day than the day of ʿAshura. The Messenger of Allah emphasized fasting on this day to such an extent that he once said, “I hope that Allah would forgive the sins of the previous year for the one who fasts on the day of ʿAshura.”

May Allah accept your fasting. Ameen.

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam