By Editorial Staff
Today is the day of Ashura. It witnessed victories of truth over falsehood and belief over polytheism and on it Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy (in Egypt).
It was narrated from Ubaidullah that he heard Ibn Abbas, when he was asked about the fast of Ashura say: “I do not know that the Prophet fasted any day because of its virtue, except this day” meaning the month of Ramadan and the day of Ashura.’ (An-Nasai)
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) observed fasting on the day of Ashura and commanded us to fast on this day. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever wishes may fast on the day of Ashura.” (Al-Bukhari)
Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) had sent (the following message) to al-Harith ibn Hisham, ”Tomorrow is the day of Ashura, so fast (it) and tell your family to fast (also).” (Malik)
Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was asked about observing the fast on the tenth day of Muharram, and he replied, “It is an expiation for the sins of the preceding year.” (Muslim)
Alqama (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Ashath ibn Qais went to Ibn Masud while he was eating on the day of Ashura. Thereupon he said:
Abu Abd al-Rahman, it is the day of Ashura (and you are eating). Upon this he said: Fast was observed on (this day) before the (fasting) in Ramadan was made obligatory, but when it was made obligatory, (fasting on the day of Ashura) was abandoned. So if you are not fasting, then take food. (Muslim)
Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that during the Pre-lslamic Period of ignorance the Quraish used to observe fasting on the day of Ashura, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) himself used to observe fasting on it too. But when he came to Madinah, he fasted on that day and ordered the Muslims to fast on it. When (the order of compulsory fasting in ) Ramadan was revealed, fasting in Ramadan became an obligation, and fasting on Ashura was given up, and who ever wished to fast (on it) did so, and whoever did not wish to fast on it, did not fast. (Al-Bukhari)
Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that Quraish used to fast on the day of Ashura in the Pre-Islamic period, and Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) too, used to fast on that day. When he came to Madinah, he fasted on that day and ordered others to fast, too. Later when the fasting of the month of Ramadan was prescribed, he gave up fasting on the day of Ashura and it became optional for one to fast on it or not. (Al-Bukhari)
Watch this video produced by Islamic Media and presented by Sheikh Shady Alsuleiman as he discusses why the day of Ashura is so important and what is the significance to Muslims. He also explains why it is important.