The tenth day of Muḥarram — known as Yawm ʿAshūrāʾ — is one of the most sacred days in the Islamic calendar. It is a day marked by great historical events, divine mercy, and the Prophetic Sunnah of fasting. Here is what every Muslim should know about this blessed day.
Why Is ʿAshūrāʾ So Significant?
When the Prophet ﷺ arrived in Madīnah and found the Jews fasting on the 10th of Muḥarram, he asked them the reason. They replied: “This is the day on which Allah saved Mūsā and his people and drowned Pharaoh and his people, and Mūsā fasted on this day out of gratitude to Allah, so we fast on this day.” The Prophet ﷺ responded: “We have more right to Mūsā than you,” and he fasted and commanded the believers to fast. (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, no. 2004)
The Story of Mūsā and Pharaoh
Allah ﷻ describes the rescue of Sayyidunā Mūsā and the Children of Israel in the Qurʾān:
“And We took the Children of Israel across the sea. Pharaoh and his soldiers pursued them in tyranny and enmity until, when drowning overtook him, he said: I believe that there is no deity except that in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of the Muslims.”
Sūrah Yūnus (10:90)
After years of oppression, slavery, and suffering, the people of Mūsā were freed on this day. The parting of the sea was a miracle that confirmed the power of Allah ﷻ over all the forces of the world. Mūsā fasted in gratitude, and the Prophet ﷺ adopted and revived this practice.
The Virtue of Fasting on ʿAshūrāʾ
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Fasting on the Day of ʿAshūrāʾ, I hope from Allah that it will expiate the sins of the previous year.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 1162)
Before the obligation of Ramaḍān fasting was revealed, fasting on ʿAshūrāʾ was obligatory. When Ramaḍān was prescribed, ʿAshūrāʾ became a voluntary but highly recommended fast.
The Hanafi Recommendation: Fast Two Days
The Prophet ﷺ said shortly before his passing: “If I live until next year, I will certainly fast the ninth as well.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 1134) The Hanafi scholars therefore recommend fasting both the 9th and 10th of Muḥarram (Tāsūʾāʾ and ʿAshūrāʾ) to distinguish our fast from the practice of others.
Other Events of ʿAshūrāʾ
- Allah ﷻ forgave Sayyidunā Ādam on this day
- The Ark of Nūḥ came to rest on Mount Jūdi on this day
- Sayyidunā Yūsuf was released from prison on this day
- Sayyidunā Ayyūb was cured of his illness on this day
- Sayyidunā ʿIsā was raised to the heavens on this day
ʿAshūrāʾ is a day on which Allah ﷻ has repeatedly shown His mercy and power throughout human history. To fast on this day is to align ourselves with a tradition of gratitude that spans the Prophets.
May Allah ﷻ grant us the blessing of fasting on ʿAshūrāʾ, forgive our past year’s sins, and allow us to follow in the footsteps of the Prophets. Āmīn.
