Some Quick Facts about the Day of Aashooraa

by Asma bint Shameem

🔺The Prophet ﷺ LOVED to fast the Day of Aashooraa

🍃Ibn ‘Abbaas Radhi Allaahu anhumaa said:

“I never saw the Prophet ﷺ so keen to make sure he fasted any day and preferring it over another except this day, the day of ‘Aashooraa’, and this month – meaning Ramadhaan.”

(al-Bukhaari, 1867)

🔺The fast of Aashooraa was mandatory on every Muslim before fasting the month of Ramadhaan became obligatory. 

🍃Aa’ishah Radhi Allaahu anhaa said:

“When he ﷺ, migrated to Madeenah, he fasted this day and ordered that this fast be observed.

When the month of Ramadhaan was enjoined, he said: “Whoever wishes may fast on (this day) and whoever wishes may forsake it.”

(al-Bukhaari 1794; Muslim 1125). 

🔺We fast Aashooraa because the PROPHET ﷺ RECOMMENDED us to fast this day. 

We DO NOT fast because of the Shahaadah of al-Hussain radhi Allaahu anhu. 

The fast of Aashooraa has NOTHING to do with his tragic murder. 

The Prophet ﷺ used to fast this day LONG before even al-Hussain radhi Allaahu anhu was born. 

Even the Quraysh used to fast this day in the times of Jahiliyyah 

🍃 Our Mother Aa’ishah Radhi Allaahu anhaa said:

“Quraysh used to fast on ‘Aashooraa’ during the Jaahiliyyah, and the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ

used to fast on (that day) too.”

(al-Bukhaari 1794; Muslim 1125). 

🔺Fasting on this day expiates the MINOR sins and NOT the major ones. 

We have to make a separate taubah for that.

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“fasting the day of ‘Aashooraa’ I hope Allaah will expiate thereby for the year that came before it.” (Muslim, 1162)

🍃Ibn Taymiyah said:

“The expiation of purification, prayer, and fasting Ramadhaan, ‘Arafah and ‘Aashooraa’ applies to MINOR sins only”

(Al-Fataawa al-Kubra, part 5)

🔺We can fast Aashooraa even if it falls on a Friday or Saturday. 

🍃The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

“The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Fasting the Day of `Arafah forgives the sins of two years: the previous and the following. As for the Day of `Aashooraa' i.e. the tenth of Muharram, it forgives the sins of the previous year.” (Ahmad, Muslim and Abu Dawud)

This Hadeeth “specifies” the general meaning of the Hadeeth that reads: “None of you should fast on Friday unless he fasts a day before or after it.” (Al-Bukhaari and Muslim)

Accordingly, the “general” prohibition understood from this Hadeeth should be understood in the context of observing Sawm on Friday for it merely being Friday.

However, observing Sawm on Friday for another purpose recommended by Sharee’ah is permissible and ”not prohibited” even if Sawm is observed on Friday alone.

If Sawm is observed on a day preceding or succeeding it, it will be a more precautionary implementation of the two Hadiths which will have the effect of the increase of the reward.“

(Fataawaa Permanent Committee Part No. 10; Page 395)

🔺Ibn Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu LOVED to fast Aashooraa and would not give it up for any reason so much so that he would fast this day even when he was traveling.

But if he was traveling in the month of Ramadhaan, he would not fast during the days he traveled. 

🍃 Someone asked him: 

Why is it that you fast the day of Aashooraa even when you’re traveling but you don’t fast in the month of Ramadhaan when you travel?

He said:

Allaah says:

“and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other days”

[al-Baqarah 2:185]

I can “make up” the fasts of Ramadhaan later on in the year. 

But I cannot make up the fast of Aashooraa once the day has gone.”

Subhaan Allaah!

Just shows the importance of fasting this beautiful day. 

🔺The ONLY incidence that is authentically reported about this day of Aashooraa is about Musa Alaiyhis-Salaam and how Allaah drowned Fir’awn and saved Musa Alaiyhis-Salaam and his people. 

ALL other incidents going around on WhatsApp and other social media about Yunus Alaiyhis-Salaam being saved from the whale or Ibraaheem Alaiyhis-Salaam being saved from the fire or Nooh Alaiyhis-Salaam being saved from the flood on this day, etc are either WEAK or FABRICATED. 

🔺 There’s NO authentic proof of any special rewards for “SPENDING” on the family on the day of Aashooraa’, or “cooking special meals” on this day, from the Sharee’ah.

The so-called hadeeth that’s circulating on social media regarding this is NOT authentic.

And Allaah knows best.

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