Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Muhammad bin Saifi narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said to us on the day of Ashura: "Is there anyone among you who has not eaten anything today?" We replied that some of us have eaten something and some have not eaten anything. The Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Complete the rest of your day, both those who have eaten and those who have not eaten." Send this message also to those living on the outskirts of Madinah, that they should complete the rest of the day.

Hazrat Abu Musa narrates that the Jews used to honor the Day of Ashura; they had declared it a day of festival. Upon this, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: You should fast on this day.

Hazrat Zaher narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered to fast on the day of Ashura.

It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: On the day of Ashura, the noble prophets used to fast, so you should also fast.

Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the people of ignorance used to fast on the day of Ashura. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and the Muslims also fasted on the day of Ashura before the fasting of Ramadan was made obligatory. When the fasting of Ramadan was made obligatory, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that the day of Ashura is one of Allah’s days; whoever wishes may fast, and whoever wishes may leave it.

Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Quraysh used to fast on the day of Ashura during the time of ignorance. When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) came to Madinah, he fasted on the day of Ashura and ordered the Muslims to fast on that day as well. When the fasting of Ramadan was made obligatory, he said that the fasting of Ramadan is obligatory and the obligation of fasting on Ashura has ended. Whoever wishes may fast, and whoever wishes may leave it.

It is narrated from Hazrat Jabir bin Samurah that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to command us to fast on the day of Ashura, encourage us to do so, and make arrangements for it. When the fasting of Ramadan was made obligatory, he neither commanded it, nor forbade it, nor made arrangements for it.

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) narrates that when the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived in Madinah, the Jews used to fast on the day of Ashura. The Muslims asked the Jews about the reason for this, and they replied that on this day, Musa (Moses) was granted victory over Pharaoh. Upon this, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that you have more right to commemorate Musa, so you should also fast on this day.

Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Yazid says that once Hazrat Ash'ath bin Qais came to Hazrat Abdullah. Hazrat Abdullah was eating food, and he invited Ash'ath bin Qais to eat as well. He said, "Is today not the day of Ashura?" Hazrat Abdullah asked, "Do you know what the day of Ashura is?" He asked, "What is it?" Hazrat Abdullah replied, "It is the day on which the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to fast before the obligation of Ramadan. When the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory, he stopped fasting on this day."

Hazrat Aswad says that I did not see either Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) bin Abi Talib or Hazrat Abu Musa commanding the fast of Ashura.

Hazrat Aswad says that I did not see either Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) bin Abi Talib or Hazrat Abu Musa commanding the fast of Ashura.

Hazrat Harith narrates that Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) used to order the observance of fasting on the day of Ashura.

Hazrat Abu Bakr bin Abdur Rahman bin Harith narrates that Hazrat Umar sent a message to Abdur Rahman bin Harith on the night of Ashura and said, "Eat suhoor." Then the next day, Hazrat Umar also fasted and Hazrat Abdur Rahman also fasted.

Hazrat Qasim used to fast on the day of Ashura.

Hazrat Qais bin Sa'd narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded us to fast on the day of Ashura.

Hazrat Qasim says that when the fasting of Ramadan was made obligatory, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) neither ordered us to fast on Ashura nor forbade us from it; we used to observe this fast.

Hazrat Muhammad states that the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to a man from the tribe of Aslam on the day of Ashura: "Go to your people and command them to fast today." That man said, "I think that when I reach them, they will have already had breakfast." The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "Whoever has already had breakfast, tell him not to eat for the rest of the day, and whoever has not had breakfast, tell him to fast."

Hazrat Saeed bin Jubair narrates that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed the people to fast on the day of Ashura.

Hasan liked the fasting of the Day of Ashura.

Hazrat Qais bin Sakan narrates that Hazrat Ash'ath came to Hazrat Abdullah on the day of Ashura. Hazrat Abdullah was eating food. He invited Hazrat Ash'ath to eat, but he said, "I am fasting." Hazrat Abdullah said, "This fast used to be observed before the fasting of Ramadan was made obligatory."

Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Qasim narrates that Hazrat Umar did not use to fast on the day of Ashura.

The aforementioned narration of Abdullah is also transmitted through another chain of narration.

Hazrat Muawiyah, while delivering a sermon on the pulpit, said that the day of Ashura is a day of Eid. Whoever wishes may fast on this day, because fasting was observed on this day. Whoever wishes may leave it; there is no harm in it.

Hazrat Ikrimah was asked about fasting on the day of Ashura and the day of Arafah, so he replied that it is not correct to consider fasting on any day other than Ramadan as obligatory.

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) used to command the fasting of Ashura.

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said on the day of Ashura that whoever has eaten something should not eat anything further, and whoever has not eaten anything should observe the fast.

It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Qatadah that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: The fast of Ashura is an expiation for the sins of one year, and the fast of Arafah is an expiation for the sins of two years, one past year and one coming year.

Hazrat Ubaidullah bin Abi Yazid says that Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) was asked about the fast of Ashura, so he replied that apart from Ramadan, due to the special virtue of any day or any month, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) never fasted on any day or in any month.

Hazrat Tawus used to fast one day before and one day after the day of Ashura so that the day of Ashura would not be missed.