Is there any proof that spending or giving charity specifically on the day of Aashooraa is something good or has “special virtue” for which I will be rewarded?

by Asma bint Shameem

Singling out the Day of Aashooraa’ specifically to give charity—with the belief that it carries unique, multiplied rewards or expiates sins for the year—has no authentic basis in the Sunnah.

There’s NO authentic proof of that from the practice or teachings of our beloved Prophet ﷺ. 

Although, there is a “hadeeth” that is circulating among people claiming that, it is not authentic. 

The hadeeth in question is the following:

Abu Hurayrah radhi Allaahu anhu 

and others narrate:

“One who increases [his spending] on his family on Ashooraa , Allaah  will increase it for him throughout the year.” (Al-Bayhaqi in ash-Shu’ab, al-Uqayli in ad-Du’afaa, Ibn Adi in al-Kaamil, Ibn al-Jawzī in al-Illal and others)

The hadeeth is graded as “Dha’eef” or WEAK by the scholars. 

That means it is highly doubtful that the Prophet ﷺ ever said that or did that.

So if he ﷺ didn’t do it, then we shouldn’t be doing it either.

🔺Here is what the scholars said:

“Al-Bayhaqi “argued” that although the hadeeth is weak, it can be strengthened by supporting chains. 

This claim is true IF all the chains are only “slightly” weak, but a study of the chains demonstrate that they are extremely weak and can not be strengthened by one another. 

ALL of the chains have individuals either accused of fabricating or known to be extremely weak. 

It is for this reason that, ad-Dāraqutnī, ad-Dhahabī, Ibn Taymiyyah, al-Haythamī and others regarded this Hadeeth as weak. 

Ibn al-Jawzi regarded it as a fabrication.

🍃 Ibn Taimiyyah said:

“Imaam Ahmad was asked about the Hadeeth: “One should spend on his family on the day of `Ashooraa” and he regarded it as inauthentic.

In fact the best narration they have is what is reported from Ibraheem b. Muḥammad b. al-Muntashir from his father that he said: 

“It reached us that one who increases [his spending] on his family on [the day of] Aashooraa, Allaah will increase it for him throughout the year.” 

Ibraheem ibn Muhammad was from Kufa and he did not mention from whom he heard it or how it reached him. 

It is most likely that the one who related this [to him] was someone from the people of Bid’ah who hates the Sahaabah and wants to oppose the Raafidhah with lies. 

So they oppose corruption with corruption and an innovation with an innovation.” 

(Majmoo’ al-Fataawaa, Volume 13, page 169, Dar al-Wafā, 1426 A.H)

🍃Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:

“Based on the cited statement of Ibn Taymiyyah and Al-Hafizh ibn Rajab (may Allah be merciful to them), it is known that the Ahaadeeth mentioned with regard to singling out the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ for wearing Kuhl, bathing, dying with Henna and so on are ALL Mawdoo’ (fabricated). Similarly, all the Ahaadeeth mentioned on the merit of openhanded giving to one’s children are also unauthentic. Concerning what was reported by Ibrahim ibn Muhammad Al-Muntashir – a junior Tabi‘y (one of the follower, the generation after the Companions of the Prophet) – who transmitted it from another person without naming him, and similarly did Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah, the renowned Imaam; it is not permissible to cite that as an evidence on the validity of openhanded giving (on this day). This is because the proof is to be derived from the Qur’aan or the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet), not the acts of the Tabi‘un or those who succeeded them.

Accordingly, the command to do that on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ is considered an impermissible act of Bid‘ah (innovation in religion).

In reference to giving Sadaqah (voluntary charity) on that day, there is the Hadeeth of Abdullaah ibn Amr that was previously mentioned in the statements of Al-Hafizh ibn Rajab and it is Mawquf (words or deeds narrated from a Companion of the Prophet that are not attributed to the Prophet).

It was reported from him by Abu Musa Al-Madiny;

however, Al-Hafizh ibn Rajab did not mention anything about its Isnaad.

But, most of the narrators from whom Abu Musa Al-Madiny transmitted were ranked as weak and unauthentic narrators. Therefore, it is not permissible to act upon such a Hadith unless it is proven to be authentically reported from ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aas radhi Allaahu anhumaa.”

(Fataawaa ibn Baaz)

🍃Remember that the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Anyone who does any action that is not in accordance with this matter of ours (Islaam) will have it rejected.” (Saheeh Muslim)

🔺Bottom line:

There’s no proof from the authentic practice or teachings of the Prophet ﷺ that spending, giving sadaqah, giving out food and other acts of charity specifically on the day of Aashooraa has any special virtue or earns any extra rewards.

The only authentically prescribed, recommended act of Ibaadah on Aashooraa’, the 10th of Muharram is fasting, which expiates the sins of the past year.

And Allaah knows best.