27/08/2020
Why are Muslims Fasting on 28th and 29th August?
The answer is A'shura, which symbolises Muslims fasting for Jewish people’s freedom from the reign of Pharaoh.
There are numerous misconceptions about the significance and relevance of A'shura amongst many people.
Some attribute A'shura and the fasting for it to the incident at Karbala, where the grandson of the blessed Prophet, Hussain was brutally killed by Yazid and his army.
Some commemorate this tragedy by hitting their face and chest until they bleed and there are others who use sharp objects including knives and swords to cut themselves to show that they are sharing the pain. There are organised events where people gather to lament the tragedy, and some exaggerate this by organising collective and public crying events. The killing of Hussain in Karbala took place in this month according to reliable narrations and we all must learn from this tragedy that there is no room for violence, brutality and tyranny in Islam. We must stand together to ensure no people are ever subjected to violence. We must stand together against tyrants and despotic regime. One of the greatest lessons from the tragic incident around the brutal murder of grandson of the blessed Prophet of God is that tyrants should never be allowed to rule. Leaders of any community must be legitimately elected by the people and the leaders must be people of high moral standing and good character.
The incident at Karbala happened after the death of the Prophet and a sunnah of the Prophet cannot be based with an event after his death. Sunnah by definition are those things that the Prophet articulated, performed or approved during his lifetime. Therefore, the Sunnah of fasting during Ashura has nothing to do with the murder of Hussain. Fasting on this day, 10th of Muharram has a very different rationale.
When the Prophet (peace be upon him) migrated to Madinah, he noticed that the Jewish people around him were fasting on this day and called it Ashura. It is important to note that the word Ashura literally means the 10th. The fasting of the 10th day of Muharram is therefore called Ashura. The Prophet inquired the rationale behind the Jewish communities’ observance of fasting on the same day. He found that they were expressing their gratitude to God for the victory given to Moses, and his followers over Pharaoh and his disbelieving nation.
The Prophet’s response forever defined the relationship between Him, Muslims and Moses in that he said, “we have more right to Moses than you.” He commanded the Companions to fast on the day, and henceforth fasting Ashura was made compulsory on Muslims although it was later made optional when fasting the month of Ramadan was made compulsory on Muslims in the second year of Hijrah.
Muslims believe all God’s prophets including Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, David, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them all) were entrusted by God to deliver one message – worship of only one God, decent and ethical lifestyle and harmonious coexistence and relationship with fellow human beings. This Godly and goodly lifestyle, promoted by all prophets throughout time, had embedded in their teaching’s justice, fairness, freedom, compassion, mercy and kindness. They stood firmly against tyrants, oppressors and aggressors. This is the precise reason why Muslims feel so close to Moses that he was able to take down the super power of that time – Pharaohs.
Moses showed by example that he practiced every word of what he preached. He challenged the court of Pharaoh and he broke the shackles of slavery that had kept the Jewish people subjugated for decades.
Jewish people fast to thank God for Moses and the freedom. Muslims do the same! They fast two days on the 10th of Muharram and the day before or the day after. This is the sunnah of the Prophet. Fasting is simple, no food or drink or sexual relationship from early dawn to dusk. It also means taking control of our basic instinct and reaching out to the core of our being to draw the best character and nature.
Fasting in A’shura symbolizes Muslim community’s genuine connection with the Jewish community and it is inscribed in the doctrine of the faith.
Ref Imam Masroor 2018
