Six Facts about the Day of Asyura

Asyura is the 10th day of Muharram (the first Islamic month) , which commemorates Allah SWT's saving of Prophet Musa A.S from the Pharaoh.

While fasting on Asyura is voluntary, it is highly recommended as it expiates sins of the preceding year.

1. It is in a sacred month

‏ إِنَّ الزَّمَانَ قَدِ اسْتَدَارَ كَهَيْئَتِهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ السَّنَةُ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ثَلاَثٌ مُتَوَالِيَاتٌ ذُو الْقَعْدَةِ وَ ذُو

الْحِجَّةِ وَالْمُحَرَّمُ وَرَجَبُ مُضَرَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ جُمَادَى وَشَعْبَانَ ‏‏

“The Prophet (ﷺ) gave a sermon during his hajj and said: Time has completed a cycle and assumed the form of the day when Allah created the heavens and the earth. The year contains twelve months of which four are sacred, three of them consecutive, viz. Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram and also Rajab of Mudar which comes between Jumadah and Sha'ban.” (Sahih Al Bukhari)

2. Prophet Nuh’s Ark came to rest on Mount Judi on this day

In a narration reported by Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him), it was on this day that the Ark of Nuh (peace be upon him) came to rest on Mount Judi. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

3. Fasting on this is optional yet encouraged

Aisha (ra) narrates in a hadith: “Allah’s messenger ordered (the Muslims) to fast on the day of ‘Ashura, and when fasting in the month of Ramadan was prescribed, it became optional for one to fast on that day (Ashura) or not."

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

4. It is the best fast after Ramadhan

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘The best of fasting after Ramadhan is fasting Allah’s month of Muharram.” (Sahih Muslim)

5. The Prophet prioritised it

Ibn ‘Abbas (ra) said, “I never saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) so keen to fast any day and give it priority over any other than this day, the day of ‘Ashura’, and this month, meaning Ramadhan.”

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

6. A means of expiating sins

The Prophet ﷺ said, “Fasting the day of ‘Arafah I hope Allah will expiate thereby for the year before it and the year after it, and fasting the day of ‘Ashura I hope Allah will expiate thereby for the year that came before it.” (Sahih Muslim)

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