The righteousness of fasting on ‘Ashura’
Praise be to Allah
Yom Ashura or Ashura is the tenth day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. As the Islamic calendar is a lunar one, the day of Ashura changes from year to year. It marks the day that Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), was killed in the Battle of Karbala.
Fasting on “Ashura” – Muharram 1441H/2019
“The best of fasting after Ramadhaan is fasting during Allaah’s month, Muharram.” (Muslim)
The Prophet Mohammad ﷺ said: “For fasting the day of ‘Ashura’ , I hope that Allaah will accept it as expiation for the year that went before.” (Muslim)
“The day of ‘Ashura‘ is a great day when Allaah saved Moosa (alaihi salaam) and his people and drowned Pharaoh and his people. So Moosa fasted on this day. In gratitude to Allaah, so that is we fast on this day.”
-Sahih Muslim.
Firstly: Fasting the day of ‘Ashoora’ does expiate for the past year, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Fasting the day of ‘Arafah‘ I hope Allaah will expiate thereby for the year before it and the year after it, and fasting the day of ‘Ashoora’ I hope Allaah will expiate thereby for the year that came before it.”
Narrated by Muslim, 1162.
This is by the bounty that Allaah bestows upon us, whereby fasting one day expiates for the sins of a whole year. And Allaah is the Owner of great bounty.
The Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to be very keen to make sure he fasted on the day of ‘Ashura’ because of its great status.
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I never saw the Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) so keen to make sure he fasted any day and preferring it over another except this day, the day of ‘Ashura’, and this month – meaning Ramadhaan. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1867.
What is meant by being keen to make sure he fasted it is so as to earn its reward.
Secondly: With regard to the reason why the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) fasted on the day of ‘Ashura’ and urged the people to do likewise is mentioned in the hadeeth narrated by al-Bukhaari (1865) from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him), who said:
The Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to Madeenah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Ashura’. He said, “What is this?” They said, “This is a good day, this is the day when Allaah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy and Moosa (alaihi slaam) fasted on this day.” He said, “We are closer to Moosa (alaihi slaam) than you.” So he fasted on this day and told the people to fast.
The words “this is a good day” – according to a version narrated by Muslim, “This is a great day when Allaah saved Moosa (alaihi slaam) and his people and drowned Pharaoh and his people.”
The words “so Moosa (alaihi slaam) fasted on this day” – Muslim added in his report: “In gratitude to Allaah, so that is we fast on this day.”
According to another version narrated by al-Bukhaari, “So we fast it out of respect for it.”
The words “and told the people to fast” – according to another version narrated by al-Bukhaari, “He said to his companions, ‘You are closer to Moosa (alaihi slaam) than them, so fast this day.”
Thirdly: The expiation of sins that is achieved by fasting ‘Ashura’ refers to minor sins; with regard to major sins, they need separate repentance.
Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
Fasting the day of ‘Arafaah’ expiates for all minor sins, in other words this brings forgiveness for all sins except for major sins.
Then he said: Fasting the day of ‘Arafaah is an expiation for two years, and the day of ‘Ashoora is an expiation for one year.
And if a person’s Aameen coincides with the Aameen of the angels, his previous sins will be forgiven… Each of the things mentioned may bring expiation. If he does something that expiates for minor sins he will be expiated, and if there are no minor or major sins, it will be recorded for him as good deeds and he will rise in status thereby… If there is one or more major sins and no minor sins, we hope that it will reduce his major sins. Al-Majmoo’ Sharh al-Muhadhdhab, part 6.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
The expiation of purification, prayer, and fasting Ramadaan, ‘Arafah and ‘Ashoora’ applies to minor sins only. Al-Fataawa al-Kubra, part 5
Benefits Of Fasting The Day Of Ashura
Don’t forget to fast on the day of ‘Ashura‘ to get your minor sins for the previous and coming year forgiven. Try and fast the day before or after as advised by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) .
MEDICAL BENEFITS OF FASTING :
*Fasting helps in REMOVING THE TOXINS from the body.
*Fasting INCREASES the IMMUNITY of the body.
*Fasting is also helpful in reducing One’s weight.
*Fasting releases the pressure on the liver.
And there are many more….
Other than the ample health benefits like controlling one’s weight, blood pressure and cholesterol, fasting particularly on the Day of Ashura and the month of Ramadhaan, has been advocated by Islam and Its Prophet Muhammad (May Allaah Bless And Grant Him Peace), time and time again.
May Allah forgive us and guide us all.
Aameen.
