The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
“For fasting the day of ‘Ashura, I hope that Allah will accept it as expiation for the year that went before.” [Reported by Muslim, 1976]
Ibn ‘Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, said:
“I never saw the Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, so keen to fast any day and give it priority over any other than this day, the day of ‘Ashura, and this month, meaning Ramadhan.” [Reported by al-Bukhari, 1867]
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas,may Allah be pleased with them both, said:
“When the Messenger of Allah,peace be upon him, fasted on ‘Ashura and commanded the Muslims to fast as well, they said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, it is a day that is venerated by the Jews and Christians.’ The Messenger of Allah,peace be upon him, said:
‘If I live to see the next year, insha’Allah, we will fast on the ninth day too.’
But it so happened that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, passed away before the next year came.” [Reported by Muslim, 1916]
Why is it recommended to fast on this day?
It is the day on which Allah granted Prophet Musa (‘Alayhissallaam) emancipation from Pharoah and so they (the Jews) observed Sawm (Fasting) in token of their joy. On this, he (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said that Muslims have greater right to observe Sawm than the Jews , consequently, he (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) also observed Sawm on the 10th of Muharram. Then he said that if he lived the following year, he would observe Sawm on the 9th of Muharram also, so that muslims would be different from the Jews.
Many scholars are of opinion that the fasting of ‘Ashoura was obligatory in the beginning then it was abrogated by the fasting of Ramadan.
