Ashura refers to the 10th day of Muharram.
Virtue of fasting on Ashura:
❀ «عن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : أفضل الصيام بعد رمضان شهر الله المحرم، وأفضل اللاة بعد الفريضة، صلاة الليل.»
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “After the fasts of Ramadan, the most virtuous fasts are those of Muharram, the month of Allah, and after the obligatory prayer, the most virtuous prayer is the night prayer (Tahajjud).”
❀ «عن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه، فقه، قال: سئل: أى الصلاة أفضل بعد المكتوبة؟ وأي الصيام أفضل بعد شهر رمضان؟ فقال: أفضل الصلاة بعد الصلاة المكتوبة، الصلاه فى جوف الليل، وأفضل الصيام بعد شهر رمضان، صيام شهر الله المحرم.»
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked which prayer is most virtuous after the obligatory prayer, and which fasts are most virtuous after the month of Ramadan. He ﷺ said: “The most virtuous prayer after the obligatory prayer is the prayer in the middle of the night (Tahajjud), and the most virtuous fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are the fasts of Muharram, the month of Allah.”
❀ «عن أبى قتادة الأنصاري رضى الله عنه قال: وسئل (يعني النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم) عن صوم يوم عاشوراء؟ فقال: يكفر السنة الماضية.
وفي رواية: أحتسب على الله أن يكفر السنة التى قبله .»
Abu Qatadah al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) says that the Prophet ﷺ was asked about fasting on the day of Ashura, and he ﷺ said: “It expiates the sins of the previous year.”
In another narration, he ﷺ said: “I hope from Allah that it will expiate the sins of the previous year.”
❀ «عن سلمة بن الأكوع رضي الله عنه: أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم بعث رجلا ينادي فى الناس يوم عاشوراء: إن من أكل فليتم أو فليصم ومن لم يأكل فلا ياكل.»
Salamah ibn al-Akwa’ (may Allah be pleased with him) says that the Prophet ﷺ sent a man to announce among the people on the day of Ashura: “Whoever has eaten should complete (the fast) or fast, and whoever has not eaten should not eat.”
Note: Other narrations on this subject also exist, and from these narrations it appears that initially fasting on Ashura was obligatory, which is why the person who had eaten after Fajr was also commanded to refrain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day, and this command cannot pertain to a voluntary fast. Then, after the obligation of Ramadan, this ruling was abrogated and its recommended status remained.
Abrogation of the obligation of fasting on Ashura:
❀ «عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، قالت: كان يوم عاشوراء تصومه قريش فى الجاهلية، وكان رسول الله صل الله عليه يصومه، فلما قدم المدينة صامه، وأمر بصيامه، فلما فرض رمضان ترك يوم عاشوراء، فمن شاء صامه، ومن شاء تركه»
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that during the Jahiliyyah, the Quraysh used to fast on the day of Ashura, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ also used to fast on that day. When he ﷺ migrated to Madinah, he fasted on that day and commanded others to fast as well. However, when the fasts of Ramadan were prescribed, he ﷺ left the day of Ashura; so whoever wishes may fast on that day, and whoever wishes may leave it.
Reason for fasting on Ashura:
❀ «عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما، قال: قدم النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم المدينة، فرأى اليهود تصوم يوم عاشوراء، فقال: ما هذا؟، قالوا: هذا يوم صالح، هذا يوم نجي الله بني إسرائيل من عدوهم، فصامه موسي عليه السلام، قال: فأنا أحق بموسى عليه السلام منكم، فصامه، وأمر بصيامه .»
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) says that when the Prophet ﷺ came to Madinah, he saw the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura and asked: “What is this?” They said: “This is a blessed and good day; on this day Allah delivered the Children of Israel from their enemy, so Musa (peace be upon him) fasted on this day.” He ﷺ said: “I have a greater claim to Musa than you do.” So he ﷺ fasted on that day and commanded others to fast as well.
Fasting the 9th of Muharram along with Ashura:
❀ «عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما، قال: حين صام رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يوم عاشوراء وأمر بصيامه، قالوا: يا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، إنه يوم تعظمه اليهود والبخاري، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : فإذا كان العام المقبل إن شاء الله صمنا اليوم التاسع، قال: فلم يأتي العام المقبل، حتى توفي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم .»
«وفي رواية لئن بقيت إلى قابل لأصوم من التاسع.»
Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fasted on Ashura and commanded fasting on it, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) said: “O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, the Jews and Christians venerate this day.” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “If Allah wills, next year we will fast the 9th day.” But before the next year came, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed away.
In another narration, he ﷺ said: “If I remain until next year, I will fast the 9th.”
Note: That is, along with the day of Ashura (the 10th of Muharram), he ﷺ would also fast the 9th of Muharram: the 10th because it is the day of Ashura, and the 9th to oppose the Jews. And whoever is unable to fast on the 9th should fast the 11th along with the 10th, since this also achieves opposition (to the Jews).
Scholars have described three levels of Ashura:
➊ The first level: fasting on the 9th, 10th and 11th.
➋ The second level: fasting on the 9th and 10th.
➌ The third level: fasting only on the 10th.
General rulings on fasting
Ruling on eating or drinking forgetfully
❀ «عن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه، عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: إذا نسي فأكل وشرب، فليتمم صومه، إنما أطعمه الله وسقاه.»
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever forgets while fasting and eats or drinks should complete his fast, for it is Allah who has fed and watered him.”
❀ «عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: من أفطر فى شهر رمضان ناسيا، لا قضاء عليه ولا كفارة.»
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever breaks his fast forgetfully during the month of Ramadan, there is neither qada nor kaffarah upon him.”
Concession to kiss while fasting
❀ «عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، قالت: إن كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لقبل بعض أزواجه وهو صائم، ثم ضحكت .»
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that the Prophet ﷺ would kiss one of his wives while fasting. Then she laughed.
❀ «عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، قالت: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقبلني وهو صائم، وايكم يملك إربه، كما كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يملك إربه؟»
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would kiss me while fasting, but which of you has control over his desire as the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had control over his desire?
❀ «عن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقبلني، وهو صائم، وأنا صائمة.»
Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would kiss her while he was fasting and she was fasting.
❀ «عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، قالت: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقبل بعض نسائه وهو صائم، قلت عائشة رضي الله عنها: فى الفريضة والتطوع؟، قالت عائشة: فى كل ذلك، فى الفريضة والتطوع.»
Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would kiss one of his wives while he was fasting. The narrator says: I asked Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her): Did he do this in an obligatory fast or a voluntary fast? She said: “In both, in the obligatory and the voluntary.”
❀ «عن جابر بن عبد الله رضى الله عنه قال: قال عمر بن الخطاب الله عنه : هششت، قبل وأنا صائم، فقلت: يا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، صنعت اليوم أمرا عظيما قبلت وأنا صائم، قال: أرأيت لو مضمضت من الماء، وأنت صائم؟ قلت: لا بأس به، قال: فمه»
Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) says that one day, in a state of passion, while fasting, I kissed my wife. Then I presented to the Prophet ﷺ that today I have committed a great mistake, I have kissed while fasting. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “What would happen if you rinsed your mouth with water while fasting?” I said that there is no harm in it. Then he ﷺ said: “Then leave it.” (That is, what is there to be worried about kissing?).
Disliking a kiss while fasting for the young
❀ «عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم رخص فى القبلة للشيخ وهو صائم، ونهى عنها الشاب، وقال: الشيخ يملك إربه، والشاب يفسد صومه.»
Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that the Prophet ﷺ permitted an old man to kiss while fasting, and forbade the young man from it, and said: “The old man will control his desire, while the young man will spoil his fast.”
❀ «عن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه، أن رجلا سأل النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم عن المباشرة للصائم، فرخص له، وأتاه آخر، فسأله، فنهاه، فإذا الذى رخص له شيخ، والذي نهاه شاب.»
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) says that a man asked the Prophet ﷺ for permission for a fasting person to kiss, and he ﷺ granted him permission. Another man came and asked for permission, and he ﷺ forbade him. The one to whom he ﷺ granted permission was an old man, and the one he forbade was a young man.
One who begins the day in a state of janabah may keep the fast
❀ «عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، ان رجلا جاء إلى النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يستفتيه، وهى تسمع من وراء الباب، فقال: يا رسول الله تدركني الصلاة وانا جنب افاصوم؟، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: ” وانا تدركني الصلاة وانا جنب فاصوم، فقال: لست مثلنا يا رسول الله قد غفر الله لك ما تقدم من ذنبك وما تاخر، فقال: والله إني لارجو ان اكون اخشاكم لله، واعلمكم بما اتقي.»
It is narrated from Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that a man came to the Prophet ﷺ to ask a question, and she was listening from behind the door. The man submitted: O Messenger of Allah! I am in a state of janabah when the time of prayer arrives, so may I keep the fast at that time? The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “This happens to me as well, that I am in a state of janabah when the time of prayer arrives, and then I keep the fast.” The man submitted: O Messenger of Allah! You are not like us, Allah has forgiven all your past and future sins. The Prophet ﷺ said: “By Allah! I hope that I am the most fearing of Allah among you, and the most knowledgeable of you about the things one should avoid.”
❀ «عن عائشة و أم سلمة رضي الله عنهما : أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يدركه الفجر وهو جنب من أهله، ثم يغتسل، ويصوم.»
Hazrat Aisha and Hazrat Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with them both) say that the Prophet ﷺ would begin the morning in a state of janabah due to intercourse with his wife, then he ﷺ would perform ghusl and fast.
Deliberately vomiting
❀ «عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : من ذرعه قى وهو صائم، فليس عليه قضاء، وإن استقاء فليقض.»
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) says that the Prophet ﷺ said: “One who vomits involuntarily while fasting has no obligation to make up the fast, and one who vomits deliberately must make it up.”
If a fasting person breaks the fast thinking the sun has set, and then the sun rises
❀ «عن أسماء ابنة أبى بكر الصديق رضي الله عنهما، قالت: أفطرنا على عهد النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يوم غيم، ثم طلعت الشمس قيل لهشام: فأمروا بالقضاء؟ قال: لا بد من قضاء. وقال عمر: سمعت هشاما: لا أدري أقضوا أم لا»
Hazrat Asma bint Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with them both) says that in the time of the Prophet ﷺ, on a cloudy day, we broke the fast, then the sun rose (from behind the clouds). Hisham was asked: Were they ordered to make up the fast? He said: Making up is necessary. Ma’mar says: I heard Hisham saying: I do not know whether they made it up or not.
Note: Most scholars consider making up the fast obligatory for such a person, whereas Ishaq ibn Rahawayh and the Zahiris say that making up is not obligatory, rather he should only refrain from eating and drinking until sunset that day. Allama Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) and Allama Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) have preferred this view. However, caution requires that the fast be made up.
Abstaining from backbiting, obscene speech and lying while fasting
❀ «عن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : قال الله: كل عمل ابن آدم له إلا الصيام، فإنه لي وأنا أجزي به. والصيام جنة، وإذا كان يوم صوم أحدكم فلا يرفث ولا يصخب، فإن سابه أحد أو قاتله، فليقل انى امرؤ صائم»
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Allah the Exalted says: Every deed of the son of Adam is for himself, except fasting, for it is for Me and I alone will reward it. Fasting is a shield. So when it is the day of fasting for any one of you, he should neither speak obscenely nor raise his voice; and if someone abuses him or fights with him, he should say: I am a fasting person.”
❀ «عن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه، عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم : لا تساب وأنت صائم، فإن سابك أحد فقل: إني صائم، وإن كنت قائما فاجلس.»
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “When you are in a state of fasting, do not abuse, and if someone abuses you, say: I am fasting; and if you are standing, sit down.”
❀ «عن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : من لم يدع قول الزور والعمل به، فليس لله حاجة فى أن يدع طعامه
وشرابه.»
«وفي رواية: من لم يدع قول الزور والعمل به والجهل، فليس لله حاجة أن يدع طعامه وشرابه»
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need that he should give up his food and drink.”
And in another narration, the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever does not give up false speech, acting upon it, and ignorance, Allah has no need that he should give up his food and drink.”
❀ «عن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : رب صائم ليس له من صيامه إلا الجوع، ورب قائم ليس له من قيامه إلا السهر.»
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Many a fasting person gets nothing from his fast but hunger, and many a person who stands in prayer at night gets nothing from his night prayer but staying awake.”
❀ «عن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : إن الصيام ليس من الأكل والشرب فقط، إنما الصيام من اللغو والرفث، فإن سابك أحد، أو جهل عليك، فقل: إني صائم”.»
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Fasting is not merely abstaining from eating and drinking; rather, fasting is abstaining from idle and obscene talk. If someone insults you or behaves ignorantly towards you, say: ‘I am fasting.'”
Pouring water over a fasting person due to the intensity of heat and thirst
❀ «عن أبى بكر بن عبد الرحمن، عن بعض أصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أمر الناس فى سفره عام الفتح بالفطر، وقال: تقووا لعدوكم، وصام رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم. قال أبو بكر: قال الذى حدثني: لقد رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بالعرج يصب الماء على رأسه من العطش أو من الحر. ثم قيل لرسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : يا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، إن طائفة من الناس قد صاموا حين صمت . قال: فلما كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بالكديد دعا بقدح، فشرب، فأفطر الناس.»
Abu Bakr ibn Abd al-Rahman narrates from some Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, during his journey in the year of the Conquest of Makkah, instructed the people to break their fast, and said: “Be strong for your enemy.” The Prophet ﷺ himself was fasting.
Abu Bakr (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The one who narrated this hadith to me said: I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ at al-Arj pouring water over his head due to thirst or heat. Then it was said to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: “O Messenger of Allah, a group of people have fasted just as you fasted.” So when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ reached al-Kadid, he called for a cup, drank from it, and the people then broke their fast.
Disliked to exaggerate in rinsing the nose with water for one who is fasting
❀ «عن لقيط بن صبرة الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم :بالغ فى الإستنشاق، إلا أن تكون صائما.»
Hazrat Laqit ibn Sabrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said: “When you rinse the nose with water, do it thoroughly, unless you are fasting.”
