Religious clarification pertaining to fasting on the days of Taasu’a and Aa’shura

ACJU/FTW/2023/069/359

27.07.2023 | 08.01.1445

 

All Praise is due to Allah alone. May Allah shower Peace and Blessings upon His final Messenger Muhammed (ﷺ) and upon the Family of Muhammad (ﷺ) and His Companions!

Muharram is the first month amongst the Islamic months. This is one of the four holy months mentioned in the Quran.

Significance of fasting in the Month of Muharram

Hazrat Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

“The most excellent fast after Ramadan is Allah’s month. Al-Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night.” (Saheeh Muslim: 1163)

The tenth day of the month of Muharram is known as Aa’shura. This is the day that Prophet Musa (Alaihissalam) was saved by Allah from the atrocities of the Pharoah (Fir-Aun) and his army. Prophet Musa (Alaihissalam), as a gratitude towards Allah, observed fasted on this day.

The Prophet (ﷺ) too observed fast on this day and has instructed the companions also to fast on this day.

It is a Sunnah to fast on the day of Aa’shura

Narrated by Hazrat Ibnu `Abbas (Allah be pleased with him):

“The Prophet (ﷺ) came to Medina and saw the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura. He asked them about that. They replied, “This is a good day, the day on which Allah rescued Bani Israel from their enemy. So, Moses fasted this day.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “We have more claim over Moses than you.” So, the Prophet fasted on that day and ordered (the Muslims) to fast (on that day).” (Saheeh Bukhari: 2004)

Narrated by Hazrat Ibnu `Abbas (Allah be pleased with him):

“I never saw the Prophet (ﷺ) seeking to fast on a day that he favored more than another except this day, the day of ‘Ashura’, and this month, meaning the month of Ramadan.” (Saheeh Bukhari: 2006)

Note: The Fast of Aa’shura should be observed on 29.07.2023 this year.

Fast of Aa’shura serves as a compensation for the sins committed in the past year

Hazrat Abu Qatadah (Allah be pleased with him) narrated that: “The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Fast the Day of Ashura, for indeed I anticipate that Allah will forgive (the sins of) the year before it.” (Sunan Tirmidhi: 752).

It is a Sunnah to fast on the 09th day along with the 10th day of Muharram

“Hazrat Ibnu ‘Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) reported that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) fasted on the day of ‘Ashura and commanded that it should he observed as a fast, they (his Companions) said to him: Messenger of Allah, it is a day which the Jews and Christians hold in high esteem’. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘When the next year comes, God willing, we would observe fast on the 9th’. But the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) died before the advent of the next year.” (Saheeh Muslim: 1134)

Those who are unable to fast on the 09th day along with the 10th day, it is a Sunnah to fast on the 11th day along with the 10th day of Muharram

Imam Shafie (May Allah have Mercy upon him) states that it is preferable to fast on all 3 days.

Hence it is Sunnah to fast on the 10^th of Muharram (2023.07.29) and observe on 9^th of Muharram (2023.07.28) or 11^th of Muharram (2023.07.30). It is preferable to fast all three days, 09^th, 10^th and 11^th of Muharram. And if one opts to fast only on the 10^th of Muharram, it is permissible.

Almighty Allah knows best!

 

 

Ash Shaikh M.L.M. Ilyas

Secretary – Fatwa Division

All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama

 

 

Mufti M.I.M. Rizwe

President

All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama