Brothers and sisters in Islam, out of the 12 months in the Hijri calendar, there are 4 sacred months. One of them is Muharram, the first month in the Hijri calendar.
It was in this month that Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala saved Prophet Musa ‘alayhis-salaam and his people from the tyranny of Fir’aun, one of the worst oppressors of all times. Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated the following:
🔵 ❝When the Prophet (ﷺ) came to Madinah, he found the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura (10th Muharram). The Prophet said: ‘What is this day that you are fasting?’ They said: ‘This is a great day in which Allah saved Musa and his people, and he drowned Fir’aun and his people. Musa fasted on it due to gratitude, so we also fast on it.’ The Prophet said: ‘We are more deserving and are closer to Musa than you.’ The Prophet fasted on the day of Ashura, and he commanded fasting on it.❞ [Sahih Bukhari 3397 & Sahih Muslim 1130]
🔵 The Prophet ﷺ also said: ❝If I live until next year, I will certainly fast the 9th day of Al-Muharram.❞ [Sahih Muslim 1134]
Is there a reward attached to fasting on Ashura? Yes! The Prophet ﷺ was asked about fasting on the day of Ashura and he ﷺ said:
🔵 ❝It will expiate the sins of the past year.❞ [Sahih Muslim 1162]
So brothers and sisters, be sure to fast on the 10th Muharram and add another day to it, i.e. 9th Muharram. Please check your local calendar to affirm these dates. May Allah accept from all of us, ameen.
