Fasting the Day of ʽĀshūrā’

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Background:

The day of ʽĀshūrā’ is the tenth day of the month of Muḥarram.  ‘Abd-ul-Lāh Ibn ʽAbbās (رضي الله عنه) narrates that when the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) came to the city of Al-Madīnah, he found that the Jews in the city were fasting the day of ʽĀshūrā’, and so they were asked about it.  They (the Jews) replied, “[This is a great day].  This is the day in which Allāh saved Mūsā (Moses) and the children of Israel from [their enemy] Pharaoh.  So we fast it out of gratitude to Him.”

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

I received this commentary about an article that I wrote about Remembrance Day and thought I should briefly respond to some of the main points. The original comments are in red and my responses are in black:

this article in my opinion is wrong.

The issue of right and wrong, good and bad, Halâl and Harâm, etc. are not based on opinion. They are based upon the Qur’ân and the Sunnah, according to the understanding of the Sahâbah and the scholars after them.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُقَدِّمُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ 

O you who Believe! Do not put (yourselves) forward before Allâh and His Messenger [1]

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

 The Islâmic View Regarding Remembrance/Veterans/Armistice Day

By

Haytham Sayfaddîn 

Seeing as it is November, and the sale and wearing of poppies has begun, we know Remembrance Day is near. Let us look at some issues related to this day.

What is Remembrance Day?

The Department of Veterans Affairs [1] explains Remembrance Day as follows:

“Remembrance Day commemorates Canadians who died in service to Canada from the South African War to current missions. It is held every November 11.”

And:

“In 1931, MP Allan Neill introduced a bill to hold Armistice Day on a fixed day - November 11. During the bill's introduction, it was decided the word "Remembrance" would be used instead of "Armistice." The bill passed and Remembrance Day was first conducted on November 11, 1931.”

It has been authentically reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) fasted the day of 'Aashoora and encouraged the people to do so as that was the day when Allaah saved Moosa (AS) and his followers and destroyed Fir'aun and his followers. It is therefore recommended for every Muslim to fast this day as a sign of gratitude to Allaah. The tenth day of al-Muharram is the day of 'Aashoora (coinciding with Sunday 27th December this year).

It is also recommended that one fasts a day before or after the day of 'Aashoora to be different from the Jews on that day. And if one were to fast all the three days (9th, 10th and 11th of al-Muharram) then this is fine as it has been reported from the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) that he said "Oppose/be different from the Jews, fast a day before it and a day after it." In another narration "Fast a day before it or a day after it."

When the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) was asked about fasting the day of 'Aashoora, he said "Allaah expiates (through it) the sins of the previous year."

There are many hadeeths concerning the fasting of 'Aashoora and encouragement of the same. We ask Allaah to guide us to all that pleases Him and to place us amongst those who race to do every good.

Fasting on Aashoora

‘Aashooraa’: Celebration or Mourning?

Ruling on celebrating ‘Aashooraa’ or taking it as a day of mourning

See also

Articles on Aashoora

http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/21290

http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/5219

http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/69811

Fasting On the Day of `Aashooraa' Expiates the Sins of the Preceding Year

The history of 'Aashooraa'

Muharram and Aashooraa

Our featured Hajj resources include Hajj Orientation sessions by Sheikh Younus.

Practical Hajj Guide, a book by Sheikh Younus, explaining what is required by the pilgrim in Hajj as prescribed in the Qur'aan and Sunnah.

Here are some articles on the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, especially for those who are not going for Hajj this year.