Fasting Ashura (10th of Moharram)

[md]

 
All praise is due to Allah, the creator of the universe, the controller of all affairs, peace and blessings be upon to His  Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.).

THE FAST OF TASU'AH AND ASHURA
(AZUMIN TASU’A DA ASHURA)

 No doubt that Muslims are urged to strive hard in getting close to Allah with all forms of acts of worship; they should take that as a top priority. However, they are instructed that whatever they do, they should not deviate from the teachings and principles set by the noble Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.). He has set for us a shinning model that we should follow in order to keep firm on the right path. Therefore it’s very important for a committed Muslim to make sure that his acts of worship have basis both in the Qur’an(Alkur’ani) and the Sunnah(teaching) of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.).
 
MUHARRAM IS THE FIRST MONTH IN THE MUSLIM LUNAR CALENDAR, KNOWN AS THE HIJRAH CALENDAR. THIS MONTH IS MARKED BY THE FASTING RECOMMENDED FOR MUSLIMS ON THE 9TH (TASU`AH) AND 10TH (`ASHURA').
 
FASTING THE DAY OF `TASU’AH AND ASHURA'
 
THESE FASTS ARE NOT OBLIGATORY LIKE THE FAST OF RAMADAN. YET, PROPHET MUHAMMAD (S.A.W.) HAS LAID GREAT EMPHASIS ON THEM, AS HIS HADITH SHOWS:-
WHEN THE PROPHET (S.A.W.) ARRIVED IN MADINAH IN 622 CE, HE FOUND THAT THE JEWS(YAHUD) THERE FASTED ON THE 10TH OF MUHARRAM AND ASKED THEM THE REASON FOR THEIR FASTING ON THIS DAY.

THEY SAID: “THIS IS A BLESSED DAY. ON THIS DAY ALLAH SAVED THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL FROM THEIR ENEMY (IN EGYPT) AND SO PROPHET MUSA [MOSES] FASTED ON THIS DAY GIVING THANKS TO ALLAH.”

THE PROPHET (S.A.W.) SAID: “WE ARE CLOSER TO MUSA THAN YOU ARE.” HE FASTED ON THAT DAY AND COMMANDED MUSLIMS TO FAST ON THIS DAY. (AL-BUKHARI)

 WHEN THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (S.A.W.) FASTED ON `ASHURA’ AND COMMANDED THE MUSLIMS TO FAST AS WELL.

THEY SAID: ‘O MESSENGER OF ALLAH, IT IS A DAY THAT THE JEWS AND CHRISTIANS HONOUR.’

THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SA) SAID: ‘IF I LIVE TO SEE THE NEXT YEAR, INSHA’ALLAH, WE WILL FAST ON THE NINTH DAY TOO.’ BUT IT SO HAPPENED THAT THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (S.A.W.) PASSED AWAY BEFORE THE NEXT YEAR CAME.” (REPORTED BY MUSLIM, 1916).

 
 THE REWARD FOR FASTING THE DAY OF ASHURA

THE PROPHET (SA) SAID: “FOR FASTING THE DAY OF ‘ASHURA, I HOPE THAT ALLAH WILL ACCEPT IT AS EXPIATION FOR (THE SINS COMMITTED IN) THE YEAR THAT WENT BEFORE.” [REPORTED BY MUSLIM, 1976]

  THE VIRTUES OF FASTING ‘ASHURA’

IBN ‘ABBAAS (R.A.) SAID: “I NEVER SAW THE MESSENGER OF ALLAAH (S.A.W.) SO KEEN(INTEREST) TO FAST ANY DAY AND GIVE IT PRIORITY OVER ANY OTHER THAN THIS DAY, THE DAY OF ‘AASHOORAA’, AND THIS MONTH, MEANING RAMADAAN.”

(REPORTED BY AL-BUKHAARI, 1867). 

[shibli]

Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘When Ramadhan comes, the gates of mercy are opened and the gates of Hell are shut, and the devils are put in chains.”

 

 

[The Book of Fasting: Sahih Muslim]

 

[shibli]

Abu Ayyub (R.A) reported: The Messenger of Allah said, " He who observes As-Saum (the fasting) in the month of Ramadan, and also observes As-Saum for six days in the month of Shawwal, it is as if he has observed As-Saum for the whole year."
 
 
 
(Muslim)