The Virtue and Guidelines of Fasting on Ashura

Authored by: Ubaidullah Tahir (Hafizahullah)

1. What is Ashura?​

Ashura refers to the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar.

2. The Virtue of Fasting on Ashura​

❀ Narration:
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

"The best fasting after Ramadan is in the month of Allah, Muharram, and the best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer (Tahajjud)."

[Sahih Muslim 1163:202]

❀ Narration:
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated:

The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked, "Which prayer is best after the obligatory ones, and which fast is best after Ramadan?" He replied, "The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the one offered in the depth of the night, and the best fasting after Ramadan is the fasting in Allah’s month, Muharram."

[Sahih Muslim 1163:203]

3. The Expiation of Sins Through Fasting on Ashura​

❀ Narration:
Abu Qatadah Al-Ansari (RA) reported:

The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked about fasting on the day of Ashura. He replied: "It expiates the sins of the previous year."

In another narration, the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "I hope from Allah that it will expiate the sins of the year before it."

[Sahih Muslim 1162:197, 196]

❀ Narration:
Salamah bin Al-Akwa' (RA) reported:

The Prophet (ﷺ) sent a person to announce to the people on the day of Ashura: "Whoever has eaten should complete the day fasting, and whoever has not eaten should not eat anything."

[Sahih Bukhari 1924, Sahih Muslim 1135]

4. Was Fasting on Ashura Initially Obligatory?​

❀ Narration:
Aisha (RA) said:

"In the pre-Islamic period, the Quraysh used to fast on the day of Ashura, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) also fasted on this day. When he came to Madinah, he observed this fast and ordered others to fast as well. However, when Ramadan fasting was made obligatory, fasting on Ashura became optional."

[Sahih Bukhari 2002, Sahih Muslim 1125]

5. The Reason for Fasting on Ashura​

❀ Narration:
Ibn Abbas (RA) said:

When the Prophet (ﷺ) came to Madinah, he saw the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura. He asked them, "What is this?" They said, "This is a blessed day; on this day, Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy, and so Musa (AS) fasted on this day." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "We are closer to Musa than you." So, he observed the fast on this day and ordered others to do the same.

[Sahih Bukhari 2004, Sahih Muslim 1130]

6. Fasting on the 9th Along with the 10th of Muharram​

❀ Narration:
Ibn Abbas (RA) reported:

When the Prophet (ﷺ) fasted on Ashura and commanded the people to fast, they said, "O Messenger of Allah, this is a day venerated by the Jews and Christians." The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "If I live until next year, I will fast on the 9th (of Muharram) as well." However, the Prophet (ﷺ) passed away before the next year.

[Sahih Muslim 1134:133]

In another narration, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

"If I live until next year, I will fast on the 9th."

[Sahih Muslim 1134:134]

Note:
Fasting on the 9th of Muharram is intended to distinguish Muslims from the practices of the Jews. Scholars recommend the following options for fasting on Ashura:
➊ Fasting on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of Muharram.
➋ Fasting on the 9th and 10th of Muharram.
➌ Fasting only on the 10th of Muharram.

7. General Guidelines for Fasting​

Accidentally Eating or Drinking During Fasting​

❀ Narration:
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "If someone forgets that they are fasting and eats or drinks, let them complete their fast, for it was Allah who provided them with food and drink."

[Sahih Bukhari 1933, Sahih Muslim 1155]

Permissibility of Kissing While Fasting​

❀ Narration:
Aisha (RA) said:

The Prophet (ﷺ) would kiss his wives while fasting.

[Sahih Bukhari 1928, Sahih Muslim 1102:63]

In another narration, Aisha (RA) said:

The Prophet (ﷺ) had control over his desires, unlike others.

[Sahih Muslim 1106:64]

Fasting While in a State of Major Ritual Impurity​

❀ Narration:
Aisha (RA) and Umm Salamah (RA) said:

The Prophet (ﷺ) would wake up in the state of major ritual impurity (due to relations with his wives) and still fast.

[Sahih Bukhari 1926, Sahih Muslim 1109]

Intentional Vomiting​

❀ Narration:
Abu Hurairah (RA) said:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Whoever vomits unintentionally does not need to make up the fast, but whoever vomits intentionally must make it up."

[Sunan Abu Dawood 2380, Sunan Tirmidhi 720, Sunan Ibn Majah 1676, Hasan]

8. Avoiding Immoral Behavior During Fasting​

❀ Narration:
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Fasting is not just about abstaining from food and drink. It also involves refraining from idle talk and obscene language. If someone insults you or picks a fight, say, 'I am fasting.'"

[Sahih Ibn Hibban 3479, Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 1996, Hasan]
❀ Narration:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

"There are many who fast but gain nothing from their fast except hunger, and there are many who pray at night but gain nothing except sleeplessness."

[Sunan Ibn Majah 1690, Hasan]

9. Fasting During Severe Heat​

❀ Narration:
During a journey in extreme heat, the Prophet (ﷺ) saw people struggling. He advised them to break their fast to gain strength and poured water on his head due to the heat.

[Muwatta Imam Malik, Kitab al-Siyam, 22]

Conclusion​

Fasting on Ashura holds immense virtue, expiating the sins of the previous year. Observing additional fasts on the 9th and/or 11th of Muharram is recommended to follow the prophetic guidance. This practice highlights the mercy and balance in Islamic rulings, allowing flexibility while emphasizing spiritual benefits.