What Is the History Behind the Fast of Ashura?
Question:
Is there any history behind the Fast 10th of Muharram (Ashura)?
Answer:
It is reported from Hazrat Ibn Ab’bas radiyAllāhu Anhu that when Sayyiduna RasūlAllāh ﷺ arrived in Madina, He ﷺ saw the Jews fasting on the day of Aashurah. He ﷺ asked, ‘What day is this, on which you are fasting?’ They said, ‘It is a blessed day, for it is the day on which Allah saved Hazrat Musa عليه السلام and his people, and He (Allah) drowned Fir’awn and his people. Therefore, Musa عليه السلام fasted on this day as a mark of gratitude, so we too fast on this day.’ RasūlAllāh ﷺ said, ‘We have a greater right to act according to Musa عليه السلام compared to you, and we are closer (to him),’ so RasūlAllāh ﷺ fasted on that day, and He ﷺ commanded the Muslims to fast as well. [Bukhari, Muslim].
References:
Bukhari, Muslim.
Merits of Nafil Fasts, Mufti Afthab Cassim al-Qadri Ridawi Noori, published by Imam Mustafa Raza Reaserch Center.
Answer Ends Here.
Additonal Note:
It has been mentioned that Sayyiduna RasūlAllāh ﷺ commanded us to fast by adding a day before or after the day of Ashura—that is, either the 9th and 10th of Muharram, or the 10th and 11th of Muharram. Fasting on the 9th and 10th of Muharram is more virtuous. This has been commanded to oppose the Jews.