The Day of ‘Aashooraa'

موضوع: The Day of ‘Aashooraa' 2009-12-29, 19:05

to misrepresent Islam.

Question:

Teach me about ‘Aashooraa' in detail?

Fatwa:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I
testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is
His slave and Messenger.

‘Aashooraa' is the 10th day of Muharram. On this day Prophet
Muhammad

fasted in Makkah with Quraysh.
When He migrated to Madeenah, he found the Jews fasting on this day. He
continued fasting on that day and ordered the Muslims to fast too. Afterward
Allaah legislated the fasting during the month of Ramadhaan. Then, the fast of
‘Aashooraa became a supererogatory fast. So, it is likable for a Muslim to fast
on this day. If one fasts on this day, it is better to fast the 9th of Muharram
also to oppose the Jews.

The pieces of evidence for this point are as
follows:

1- al-Bukhaari and Muslim narrated from 'Aa’ishah

that she said: "The tribe of Quraysh
used to fast on the day of ‘Aashooraa in the pre-Islamic period, and Allaah's
Apostle used to fast on that day too.
When he came to Madeenah, he fasted on that day and ordered others to fast too.
Later, when fasting of the Month of Ramadhaah was prescribed, he (the Prophet
) said: "Whoever wishes may fast
- ‘Aashooraa - and whoever wishes may leave
it."

2 - Ibn Abbaas

related: “When the Prophet Muhammad
came to Madeenah, he found the
Jews fasting on the day of ‘Aashooraa'. They used to say: 'This is a great day
on which Allaah saved Moosaa (i.e. Moses ) and drowned the folk of Pharoah. Moosaa observed the fast on that day
as a sign of gratitude to Allaah. The Prophet Muhammad said: "I am closer to Moosaa
than them". So, he observed the fast (on this day) and ordered the Muslim to
fast on it". [Bukhaari and Muslim]

3 - It is reported by Bukhaari and Muslim

from Ibn 'Abbaas

that he said: "I never saw the Prophet
Muhammad seeking to fast on a day more
(preferable to him) than this day (i.e. the day of ‘Aashooraa) or this month
(i.e. the month of Ramadhaan)”.

Imaam at-Tirmithi

narrated from Abu Qataadah

that the Prophet Muhammad

said: "I hope from Allaah that the fast on the day of
‘Aashooraa atones for the sins of the preceding
year."

Moreover, Imaam Ahmad

narrated that "it atones the sins of
two years, past and subsequent
year".

4 - Imaam Muslim

narrated from Ibn Abbaas

that he said: "When the Messenger of
Allaah fasted on the day of ‘Aashooraa
and commanded that it should be observed as a fast, they (the companions ) said to him: ‘Messenger of Allaah, it is a day which the
Jews and Christians hold in high esteem. Thereupon, the Messenger of Allaah said: ‘When the next year comes,
Allaah willing, we would observe fast on the 9th.’ But the Messenger of Allaah
died before the advent of the
next year."

This is the guidance of the Prophet
Muhammad

regarding to ‘Aashooraa. His
companions

and their followers

went on this way. They have not distinguished this day by
any practice except fasting.

But many acts done by some ignorant Muslims
which "deform the face of Islam" have no evidence from the Qur'an and the
Sunnah. These acts include celebrating on this day, slapping one's face, tearing
of one's clothes, using swords and blood-shedding. None of these acts have any
authentic relevance to ‘Aashooraa, but are among the innovations and bad deeds
which the enemies of Islam use

Allaah Knows best.

Fatwa answered by: The Fatwa Center at
Islamweb