Ashura Fasting History, Virtues and Rulings

In this article we will read about Ashura Fasting: History, Virtues and Rulings. Fasting on this day is a recommended act in Islam, the special virtue of which has been described in the blessed hadiths.

Historical Background and Beginning:

Ashura Fasting finds its origin with Prophet Moses (peace be upon him). After the migration of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) from Mecca to Medina, he found the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura. He approached them and asked the reason for this. The Prophet’s Response: His statement, “We have more right to Moses than you do,” is profound. It means that Muslims, as the true followers of the final and universal message, are the rightful heirs to the legacy of all previous prophets, including Moses. They should therefore be more eager to honor him and express gratitude to Allah for His salvation. “We are closer to Moses than you.” So he himself fasted on that day and ordered his companions to fast as well. (Bukhari and Muslim)

Some narrations indicate that the Quraysh used to fast on Ashura during the pre-Islamic period, and the Messenger of Allah – peace and blessings of Allah be upon him – also fasted on it, but after the migration, when the aspect of imitating the Jews came to the fore, he decided that if he lived the next year he would not only Ashura Fasting but combine it with another fast – on the ninth – so as not to imitate the Jews.

Virtues and Rewards:

The great virtues of Ashura Fasting have been stated in the blessed hadiths:

Forgiveness for the sins of the past year:

Hazrat Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah -peace and blessings of Allah be upon him- was asked about Ashura Fasting, and The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “I am hopeful that Allah will accept this fast as compensation for the sins of the last year.” (Recorded in Muslim)

The favorite worship of Allah:

Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) taught, “To fast in the month designated as ‘Allah’s Month,’ Muharram, holds the highest merit after the fasts of Ramadan.” (Narrated by Muslim)

A special Sunnah of the Holy Prophet:

The great virtue of forgiveness of sins:

It was narrated by Abu Qatadah, may Allah bless him, that the Messenger of Allah – may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him – said”By observing the fast of ‘Ashura, it is my hopeful expectation from Allah that it will serve as atonement for the sins committed in the preceding year.” (Muslim, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)

Narration and confirmation of the Quraysh:

This hadith has been narrated from ‘A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, wherein she reported: “The Quraysh used to fast on Ashura during the days of ignorance, and the last Messenger of Allah Almighty, (PBUH), used to Ashura Fasting. When he came to Medina, he himself fasted on that day and ordered others to fast. Then when the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory, the fast of Ashura was abandoned, so whoever wanted to fast, he would fast and whoever did not want to, he would leave it.” (Bukhari and Muslim) Muslim)

Hadiths of Fasting on the Ninth of Muharram

Hadith of disagreement with the Jews:

Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that when the Messenger of Allah -peace and blessings of Allah be upon him- fasted on the day of Ashura and ordered the people to do the same, the Companions said:

“O Messenger of Allah! The Jews and Christians venerate it.”

He -peace and blessings of Allah be upon him- said: “Then when the next year comes -God willing-, we will fast on the ninth as well.”

Emphasis of opposition:

It has been narrated from Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah – peace and blessings of Allah be upon him – said, “If I live until next year, I will definitely fast on the ninth.” (Muslim)

Personal arrangement:

Hazrat Muawiyah bin Abi Sufyan narrated, “I heard the Messenger of Allah -peace and blessings of Allah be upon him- say: “This is the day of Ashura. Allah has not made it obligatory for you to fast on it, but I am fasting, so whoever wishes, let him fast and whoever wishes, let him not fast.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Teachings of the Companions:

Hazrat Rabi’ bint Muawwidh (Allah be pleased with him) Allah says: “The Messenger of Allah sent a message to the villages of the Ansar on the morning of Ashura, saying, ‘Whoever has fasted since morning, let him complete his fast, and whoever has not fasted, let him remain as if he had fasted for the rest of the day’.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Conclusion:

These hadiths explain a few concepts related to fasting on Ashura:

Fasting on the Day of Ashura is atonement for sins.It is better to keep this fast with the ninth of Muharram to oppose the Jews.The Holy Prophet gave particular importance to this fast.

The Sunnah of this fast continued after the obligation of Ramadan.Praise be to Allah for His blessings These hadiths show that fasting on Ashura has special importance in Islam and it is better to observe it on the ninth and tenth of Muharram according to the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet(PBUH).

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