عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال :ما رأيت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يتحرى صيام يوم فضله على غيره إلا هذا اليوم يوم عاشوراء (صحيح البخاري #2006)
Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbaas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports, “I did not see Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) await the fast of any virtuous day with more eagerness than the day of Aashura.”
عن أبي قتادة رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم صيام يوم عاشوراء إني أحتسب على الله أن يكفر السنة التي قبله (صحيح مسلم #1162، سنن ابن ماجه #1738)
It is reported from Hazrat Abu Qataadah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “On account of observing the fast of the day of Aashura, I have hope that Allah Ta‘ala will expiate the sins of the past year.”
Reward for fasting an entire month
The month of Muharram is regarded as the month of Allah Ta‘ala and the fast observed in it is considered as the best of fasts after the month of Ramadhaan. It is a special virtue, exclusive to the month of Muharram, that for each fast that one observes, one receives the reward of fasting for an entire month. This reward is exclusive to the month of Muharram as no other month enjoys this divine virtue.
عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم : من صام يوم عرفة كان له كفارة سنتين ومن صام يوما من المحرم فله بكل يوم ثلاثون يوما (الترغيب والترهيب #1529)
It is reported from Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who observes the fast of the day of Arafah (the 9th of Zul-Hijjah) will have two years of his sins forgiven, and the one who fasts during the month of Muharram, then for each day that he fasts, he will receive the reward of fasting for an entire month.”
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أفضل الصيام بعد رمضان شهر الله المحرم وأفضل الصلاة بعد الفريضة صلاة الليل (صحيح مسلم #1163)
It is reported from Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The best of fasts after the month of Ramadhaan is the fast of the month of Allah, the month of Muharram, and the best of Salaahs after the Faraa’idh (obligatory Salaah) is the Tahajjud Salaah.”
The Sunnah Fast of Aashura
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) himself fasted on the day of Aashura and exhorted the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to observe this fast as well. The extent of enthusiasm and passion with which the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) upheld this Mubaarak Sunnah could perhaps be gauged from the following Hadith:
عن الربيع بنت معوذ بن عفراء رضي الله عنها قالت فكنا بعد ذلك نصومه ونصوم صبياننا الصغار منهم إن شاء الله ونذهب إلى المسجد فنجعل لهم اللعبة من العهن فإذا بكى أحدهم على الطعام أعطيناهم إياه عند الإفطار (صحيح مسلم #1136)
Hazrat Rubayyi’ (radhiyallahu ‘anha) reports, “We (the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum)) would observe the fast of Aashura and would also encourage our children to observe this fast. We would make toys out of wool for our children, and if any child felt hungry during the fast and wept for food, we would give them these toys to occupy them until the time of iftaar.”
History of Aashura
Prior to performing Hijrah, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would observe the fast of Aashura in Makkah Mukarramah. After migrating to Madinah Munawwarah, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) witnessed the Jews of Madinah Munawwarah fasting on the day of Aashura. When Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) inquired from them as to the reason for their fasting, they explained that it was on this day that Allah Ta‘ala had delivered Nabi Moosa (‘alaihis salaam) and the Bani Israa’eel from the tyranny and oppression of Fir’oun and his people and Allah Ta‘ala destroyed Fir’oun and his army.
عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال قدم النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم المدينة فرأى اليهود تصوم يوم عاشوراء فقال ما هذا قالوا هذا يوم صالح هذا يوم نجى الله بني إسرائيل من عدوهم فصامه موسى قال فأنا أحق بموسى منكم فصامه وأمر بصيامه (صحيح البخاري #2004)
Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports, “When Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) migrated to Madinah Munawwarah, he witnessed the Jews observing the fast of Aashura. After inquiring, they replied that this was a virtuous day and this was the day in which Allah Ta‘ala had delivered the Bani Israa’eel to safety from their oppressive enemy (Fir’oun and his army). In expression of gratitude and thanks to Allah Ta‘ala, Nabi Moosa (‘alaihis salaam) fasted on this day. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) remarked, ‘We are more worthy of following Nabi Moosa (‘alaihis salaam) than you.’ Thereafter, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) continued fasting on this day and ordered the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to fast as well.”
Initially, before the fast of Ramadhaan become compulsory, fasting on the day of Aashura was Fardh (obligatory). After the fast of Ramadhaan became compulsory, fasting on the day of Aashura was declared optional (Sunnah).
عن عائشة زوج النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أنها قالت :كان يوم عاشوراء يوما تصومه قريش في الجاهلية وكان رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم يصومه في الجاهلية فلما قدم رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم المدينة صامه وأمر بصيامه فلما فرض رمضان كان هو الفريضة وترك يوم عاشوراء فمن شاء صامه ومن شاء تركه (موطأ إمام مالك #842)
Hazrat Aa’isha (radhiyallahu ‘anha) mentioned, “In the pre-Islamic era, the Quraish would fast on the day of Aashura. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) also observed the fast of Aashura. After migrating to Madinah Munawwarah, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) continued with this noble practice (of fasting on the day of Aashura) and instructed the Sahaabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum) to fast on this auspicious day (as it was made obligatory). However, after the fast of Ramadhaan became obligatory, fasting on the day of Aashura no longer remained Fardh.” (Rather, it was made Sunnah [optional])
Observing the fast of Aashura thus remained the blessed practice of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Sahaabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum) till the end of the life of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). However, prior to his demise, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) commanded the Sahaabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum) to oppose the Jews by joining an addition day of fasting to the fast of Aashura.
عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنه قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم صوموا يوم عاشوراء وخالفوا فيه اليهود صوموا قبله يوما أو بعده يوما (السنن الكبرى للبيهقي #8406، التلخيص الحبير #931)
Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbaas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Observe the fast of Aashura and oppose the Jews by also fasting a day before or after i.e. the ninth and tenth or tenth and eleventh of Muharram.”
The Lesson of Aashura
Together with the fast of Aashura being a means of reaping immense virtues, it also emphasises and teaches an important lesson. This is the lesson of firmly maintaining one’s Islamic identity at all times and completely refraining from imitating the kuffaar (disbelievers, Jews and Christians) in their culture. Hence, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) instructed the Ummah to fast for two days (i.e. the ninth and tenth or tenth and eleventh) in order to oppose the Jews.
When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) expressed such dislike for his Ummah to resemble the Jews in the aspect of fasting (which is an ibaadah), then one can well imagine how much more Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would dislike his Ummah emulating the disbelievers in their culture, dressing and other aspects of their lives. Emulating “the ways of the kuffaar”, which is known as ‘tashabbuh’, is totally forbidden in Islam as it reveals that one is identifying with the ways and culture of the enemies of Islam and is opposing the Mubaarak way of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Emulating the kuffaar is so abhorred in Islam that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has declared:
عن ابن عمر قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من تشبه بقوم فهو منهم (سنن أبي داود #4033)
“The one who imitates a people will be counted from amongst them.”
No person chooses to resemble the one who is his enemy. Rather, all prefer to resemble those whom they love. A true follower of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) will thus love to resemble and imitate his beloved. He will love to identify with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), not with those who are the enemies of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Muslims.
Dressing
Imitating the kuffaar can occur in many aspects of life. However, the most obvious and apparent is imitation in the aspect of appearance and dressing. The appearance and dressing which one adopts clearly show who it is that he identifies with. Furthermore, it is generally witnessed that the clothing which one wears influences and has an impact on one’s behaviour and conduct. Similarly, one’s principles and values are gradually moulded and fashioned according to his attire and dressing. The influence of appearance and dressing is so significant that even the kuffaar perceive its far reaching effects. The banning of Muslim women from wearing scarves and hijaab in some countries is clear testament to this and speaks volumes of the fact that Islamic dressing and appearance has a tremendous impact on others. The kuffaar thus wish to ban the visible identity of Muslims and force them to follow their ways and culture. Allah Ta‘ala says:
وَ لَنۡ تَرۡضٰی عَنۡکَ الۡیَہُوۡدُ وَ لَا النَّصٰرٰی حَتّٰی تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَہُمۡ ؕ
The Jews and Christians will never be satisfied with you until you follow their religion. (Surah Baqarah, Aayah 120)
Thus, when the dressing and appearance taught by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is not adhered to and the kuffaar are imitated, it often becomes difficult or even impossible to distinguish a Muslim from a Jew, Christian or an Atheist.
Baseless practices
There are many baseless practices and customs which people engage in on the tenth of Muharram. Among these baseless customs and practices is mourning over the martyrdom of Hazrat Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). The gruesome martyrdom of Hazrat Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was undoubtedly among the most tragic and heart-breaking events that occurred in the annals of history. However, it should nevertheless be understood that the occasion of Aashura and its virtues are not associated with the martyrdom of Hazrat Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). Instead, Aashura had received its virtue and auspiciousness even before the birth of Hazrat Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). Hence the custom of mourning the martyrdom of Hazrat Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), as practised by the Shias, has no basis in Islam.
Virtue of spending on one’s family on the Day of Aashura
Apart from the virtue of fasting on the day of Aashura, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has also encouraged that one should be more generous towards his family on this auspicious day and spend upon them.
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : من أوسع على عياله وأهله يوم عاشوراء أوسع الله عليه سائر سنته (قال المنذرى في الترغيب #1536 : رواه البيهقى وغيره من طرق وعن جماعة من الصحابة وقال البيهقي: هذه الأسانيد وإن كانت ضعيفة فهي إذا ضم بعضها الى بعض أخذت قوة والله أعلم)
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Whoever spends freely upon his family on the day of Aashura, Allah Ta‘ala will bless him with abundant sustenance for an entire year.”