Fasting in Muharram

Fasting in Muharram

The blessings and benefits that come along with fasting are bountiful and our beloved Prophet (saw) wholeheartedly welcomed each of his fasts in Ramadan and Muharram, encouraging others to do the same. Everyone knows the rewards for fasting during the month of Ramadan, but it seems as though the motivation behind Muharram fasting on the ninth, tenth and eleventh of the month are lesser known.

Unlike Ramadan, fasting on Ashura is not compulsory for any Muslim.

“The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: ‘The best of fasting after Ramadan is fasting Allah’s month of Muharram.’” (Muslim) The Prophet (saw) encourages us to take up a fast during Muharram, on the 9^th and 10^th (or 10^th and 11^th) days of the month. The Prophet himself fasted on the 10^th, the day of Ashura, and had fully intended to take up a fast the following year on the 9^th, but he passed away before he could.

Ibn Abbas (ra) said, “I never saw Allah’s Messenger (saw) so keen to fast any day and give it priority over any other than this day, the day of Ashura, and this month, meaning Ramadan” (Bukhari).

Why We Fast on the Day of Ashura

The 10^th day of Muharram, the day of Ashura, marks many important events in our Islamic history; it is a day of reflection and remembrance. Many of us observe this day by taking up a fast, but why?

• On the day of Ashura, we remember the Prophet Musa (as), who freed the slaves in Egypt and escaped the clutches of the Egyptian tyrant when Allah (swt) defeated the Pharaoh and his soldiers by parting the Red Sea for them to cross into freedom. Musa (as) fought oppression and spoke out against the false worship of the Egyptian Pharaoh, who claimed that he himself was divine. Allah (swt) rewarded the Prophet Musa’s (as) steadfast belief and dedication by liberating him and the Children of Israel on the day of Ashura. Each year on this day, Musa (as) would fast as a way of giving thanks to Allah (swt) for this great liberation.

• Al-Tirmidhi mentions that Ibn Abbass (ra) used to say that we should fast on two days to recognise our closeness to Musa (as) above others.

• The Day of Ashura was also the day that Imam Hussain (ra) was martyred for standing strong in his moral beliefs against Yazid. Imam Hussain (ra) was killed in The Battle of Karbala defending his people against an army of 30,000 soldiers. The Prophet’s (saw) grandson fought nobly for his innocent friends and relatives, bravely defending their dignity, and fell in battle protecting those he loved and the morality he stood for.

• The 10^th of Muharram is also the day that Nuh’s (as) ark landed on Mount Judiyy when the Great Flood subsided.

• The Prophet Nuh (as) warned his people to stop their worship of false idols and the sinful ways they had taken up, but they refused to listen to him, and in doing so refused the word of Allah (swt). As a result, Allah (swt) told Nuh (as) to build an ark, gather pairs of every animal and bring his family and a group of loyal believers aboard it. Allah (swt) then brought about the Great Flood.

• Nuh (as) fasted on the 10^th of Muharram in thanksgiving for Allah’s (swt) Mercy and Blessings. On the day of Ashura, we remember his devotion to Allah (swt).

• These momentous events all occurred on the 10^th day of Muharram and many Muslims fast on the day of Ashura to commemorate the devotion of Musa (as), the death of Imam Hussain (ra), and the obedience of Nuh (as). The Prophet Muhammad (saw) fasted on the 10^th of Muharram to honour Musa’s (as) dedication to Allah (swt) and to show devotion himself.