Written by: Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri
Ahkam wa Masail Ramadan al-Mubarak
Fasting on the Day of Ashura, which is the tenth of Muharram, is prescribed. Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said:
"When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) observed the fast on the Day of Ashura and commanded others to do so, the Companions said, 'O Messenger of Allah, it is a day that the Jews and Christians venerate.' The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) replied, 'If I live until next year, I will also fast on the ninth of Muharram.'"
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) passed away before the next year came.
[Sahih Muslim: 1134]
From this blessed Hadith, the legitimacy of fasting on both the ninth and tenth of Muharram is established. It is also understood that the Day of Ashura is the tenth of Muharram.
Hakam bin A'raj (may Allah have mercy on him) reported that Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) was sitting near the well of Zamzam with his cloak as a pillow. During this time, I also arrived and asked him about the Day of Ashura. He said:
"When you see the crescent of Muharram, start counting and fast on the ninth day in the morning." I asked, "Was this the practice of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)?" He replied, "Yes."
[Sahih Muslim: 1133]
Hafiz Bayhaqi, clarifying the meaning of this narration, wrote:
"It seems that Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) meant that fasting on the ninth of Muharram along with the Day of Ashura is prescribed. He answered in the affirmative because he himself narrated the intention of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to fast on the ninth of Muharram."
[Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Bayhaqi: 4/287]
This is further clarified by the statement of Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them), who said:
"Fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram and oppose the Jews (who only fast on the Day of Ashura)."
[Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Bayhaqi: 4/287, its chain is authentic]
Ahkam wa Masail Ramadan al-Mubarak
Fasting on the Day of Ashura, which is the tenth of Muharram, is prescribed. Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said:
"When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) observed the fast on the Day of Ashura and commanded others to do so, the Companions said, 'O Messenger of Allah, it is a day that the Jews and Christians venerate.' The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) replied, 'If I live until next year, I will also fast on the ninth of Muharram.'"
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) passed away before the next year came.
[Sahih Muslim: 1134]
From this blessed Hadith, the legitimacy of fasting on both the ninth and tenth of Muharram is established. It is also understood that the Day of Ashura is the tenth of Muharram.
Hakam bin A'raj (may Allah have mercy on him) reported that Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) was sitting near the well of Zamzam with his cloak as a pillow. During this time, I also arrived and asked him about the Day of Ashura. He said:
"When you see the crescent of Muharram, start counting and fast on the ninth day in the morning." I asked, "Was this the practice of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)?" He replied, "Yes."
[Sahih Muslim: 1133]
Hafiz Bayhaqi, clarifying the meaning of this narration, wrote:
"It seems that Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) meant that fasting on the ninth of Muharram along with the Day of Ashura is prescribed. He answered in the affirmative because he himself narrated the intention of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to fast on the ninth of Muharram."
[Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Bayhaqi: 4/287]
This is further clarified by the statement of Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them), who said:
"Fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram and oppose the Jews (who only fast on the Day of Ashura)."
[Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Bayhaqi: 4/287, its chain is authentic]