✿ Fasting in Muḥarram is Recommended in Islam ✿
✍ Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked:
“Which fast is most virtuous after the fasts of Ramadan?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
شهر الله المحرم
“The month of Allah, Al-Muḥarram.”
[Muslim: 1123, Kitāb al-Ṣiyām: Bāb Faḍl Ṣawm al-Muḥarram; Abū Dāwūd: 2429; Tirmidhī: 740; Ibn Mājah: 1742; Nasāʾī: 1913; Dārimī: 2/21; Aḥmad: 2/342]
✔ This ḥadīth highlights the great merit of fasting during Muḥarram, making it the most virtuous month for voluntary fasting after Ramadan.
✔ Therefore, it is highly recommended (mustaḥabb) to fast frequently in the month of Muḥarram, especially the 10th day (ʿĀshūrāʾ) which holds special emphasis.
ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها reported:
“ʿĀshūrāʾ was a day the Quraysh used to fast during the days of ignorance, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ also used to fast on it.
When he came to Madinah, he fasted on it and commanded the people to fast on it. Then, when the fast of Ramadan was made obligatory, the Prophet ﷺ said:
من شاء صامه ومن شاء تركه
‘Whoever wishes may fast it, and whoever wishes may leave it.’
[Aḥmad: 6/29; Bukhārī: 1592, Kitāb al-Ḥajj: Bāb Qawl Allāh Taʿālā: Jaʿal Allāh al-Kaʿbah; Muslim: 1125; Abū Dāwūd: 2442]
✔ Fasting in Muḥarram, particularly on the 10th (ʿĀshūrāʾ), carries great reward.
✔ While fasting the entire month is meritorious, the day of ʿĀshūrāʾ is the most emphasized among them.
✍ Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
❖ Virtue of Fasting in the Month of Muḥarram
Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked:
“Which fast is most virtuous after the fasts of Ramadan?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
شهر الله المحرم
“The month of Allah, Al-Muḥarram.”
[Muslim: 1123, Kitāb al-Ṣiyām: Bāb Faḍl Ṣawm al-Muḥarram; Abū Dāwūd: 2429; Tirmidhī: 740; Ibn Mājah: 1742; Nasāʾī: 1913; Dārimī: 2/21; Aḥmad: 2/342]❖ Recommendation for Abundant Fasting
✔ This ḥadīth highlights the great merit of fasting during Muḥarram, making it the most virtuous month for voluntary fasting after Ramadan.
✔ Therefore, it is highly recommended (mustaḥabb) to fast frequently in the month of Muḥarram, especially the 10th day (ʿĀshūrāʾ) which holds special emphasis.
❖ Significance of ʿĀshūrāʾ
ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها reported:
“ʿĀshūrāʾ was a day the Quraysh used to fast during the days of ignorance, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ also used to fast on it.
When he came to Madinah, he fasted on it and commanded the people to fast on it. Then, when the fast of Ramadan was made obligatory, the Prophet ﷺ said:
من شاء صامه ومن شاء تركه
‘Whoever wishes may fast it, and whoever wishes may leave it.’
[Aḥmad: 6/29; Bukhārī: 1592, Kitāb al-Ḥajj: Bāb Qawl Allāh Taʿālā: Jaʿal Allāh al-Kaʿbah; Muslim: 1125; Abū Dāwūd: 2442]❖ Summary
✔ Fasting in Muḥarram, particularly on the 10th (ʿĀshūrāʾ), carries great reward.
✔ While fasting the entire month is meritorious, the day of ʿĀshūrāʾ is the most emphasized among them.
