Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, meaning that it is crucial to practicing the religion to its fullest. Every year, Muslims observe the month of Ramadan, a mandatory fast from sunrise to sunset for thirty days. Outside of Ramadan, Muslims are still urged to fast on a few special days. One of these days is Ashura, which takes place every year on the 10th of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar (Hijri Calendar). Ashura is important to the Islamic religion in a few ways. Firstly, because it celebrates Prophet Musa’s (PBUH) liberation of the Israelites and is a chance to strengthen faith through a fast, and secondly, for Shia Muslims, it is a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain Ibn Ali (RA) at the Battle of Karbala.
Prophet Musa’s liberation of the Israelites is one of the most recognizable and significant historical moments. It is an important religious moment as well, not just for Islam but for Christianity and Judaism as well. Ashura marks the day when Allah (SWT) parted the Red Sea for Prophet Musa and the Israelites to escape the tyrant Pharaoh. Because of this, it is recommended that Muslims fast, as it is a way to further connect to the Islamic faith by remembering this historical moment.
In the early days of Islam, fasting on the day of Ashura was the only mandatory fast, as Ramadan had not been established yet. Even before Islam, fasting on Ashura was a tradition practiced by the Quraish and by Jews. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, would fast on this day as well. He commanded the Muslims to fast on this day when he arrived in Medina.
Ibn'Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) arrived in Medina and found the Jews observing fast on the day of Ashura. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to them:
What is the (significance) of this day that you observe fast on it? They said: It is the day of great (significance) when Allah delivered Moses and his people, and drowned the Pharaoh and his people, and Moses observed fast out of gratitude and we also observe it. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: We have more right, and we have a closer connection with Moses than you have; so Allah's Messenger (PBUH) observed fast (on the day of Ashura), and gave orders that it should be observed. - Sahih Muslim 1130c
In a hadith narrated by Aisha, the wife of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), she said: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) ordered (the Muslims) to fast on the day of Ashura', and when fasting in the month of Ramadan was prescribed, it became optional for one to fast on that day (Ashura') or not. - Sahih al-Bukhari 2001
In Shia tradition, Ashura is the day of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain Ibn Ali (RA), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), at the Battle of Karbala on the 10th of Muharram in the year 61 AH (680 CE). To give a summary, Imam Hussain refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid Ibn Muawiya, a controversial Umayyad ruler. On a trip to Kufa (in present-day Iraq), Imam Hussain, along with a small group, was intercepted by Yazid’s forces and forced to stop at Karbala. For several days, the small caravan was denied water in scorching heat. Eventually, Imam Hussain was killed, along with most of his group. The survivors were taken to Kufa and Damascus as prisoners. For Shia Muslims, Ashura is a day of mourning and a reminder of Imam Hussain’s bravery in standing against oppression.
There are a few misconceptions about Ashura. While it is an important day in the Islamic calendar, it is not a holiday but a day of commemoration. All madhabs or schools of thought in Islam recognize Eid al-Fitr (the first day of Shawwal, directly after Ramadan) and Eid al-Adha (the last day of Hajj) as holidays and days like Ashura, Isra and Miraj, Day of Arafah and others as commemorations to note. Ashura is a day of remembrance and a chance to strengthen faith through an optional fast, and consists of no special traditions, unlike the two Eids. Another misconception is that fasting on Ashura is directly connected to the mourning of Imam Hussain Ibn Ali. This is also incorrect. Fasting on Ashura was already a common practice before the Battle of Karbala. Additionally, Shia Muslims still often fast on Ashura, not to mourn, but to follow the early Islamic tradition.
Ashura is a deeply significant day in Islam. Because of its ties to Prophet Musa (PBUH) and the parting of the Red Sea, it was one of the first days the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) commanded Muslims to fast in the early days of Islam. After the obligation of fasting during Ramadan was established, fasting on Ashura became an optional but highly recommended Sunnah, practiced by many Muslims around the world. Ashura is also an important day for Shia Muslims, as it marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussain ibn Ali (RA), the beloved grandson of the Prophet, who was killed at the Battle of Karbala by the forces of the Umayyad ruler Yazid ibn Muawiya. Whether observed through fasting, mourning, or reflection, Ashura reminds Muslims of the enduring values of faith, sacrifice, and standing up for justice.
Author bio: Uthman Guadalupe is a Latino Muslim college student with a passion for history and art. He is an assistant Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach and freelance illustrator. He is fluent in Spanish and lives with his family in Maryland where he also enjoys playing video games and binging shows.
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