04/07/2025
Fasting on ‘Ashura
These days mark the opening of the months of the year—Allah’s sacred month, Muharram, one of the greatest months in the sight of Allah, Exalted and Most High, with immense standing. Its sanctity is ancient; it is the best month to fast after Ramadan.
It is the month in which Allah granted victory to Musa (Moses) and the believers with him over Pharaoh and his people. The Prophet ﷺ prescribed fasting it for us.
Muslim narrated in his Sahih: “The best fasting after Ramadan is in Allah’s month, al-Muharram.”
Especially the day of ‘Ashura. In the Sahihayn (Bukhari and Muslim), Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said: “When the Prophet ﷺ came to Madinah, he found the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Ashura. He asked them: ‘What is this day that you fast?’ They said: ‘This is a great day. Allah saved Musa and his people in it, and drowned Pharaoh and his people. Musa fasted it out of gratitude, so we fast it.’ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘We are closer to Musa than you.’ So he fasted it and ordered fasting it.”
In Sahih Muslim, from Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him): “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked about fasting on the day of ‘Ashura, and he said: ‘I hope from Allah that it will expiate (the sins) of the previous year.’”
Allah is the Greatest—what great virtue from a Generous Lord and Merciful Master.
The Prophet ﷺ also resolved to fast a day before it to differ from the People of the Book. He said ﷺ: “If I live until next year, surely I will fast the ninth (along with the tenth).”