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Fatwa CenterThe Day of ‘Ashoora’
Question
Teach me about ‘Ashoora’ in detail?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
'Ashoora’ is the 10th day of Muharram. On this day, the Prophet fasted in Makkah with Quraysh. When He migrated to Al-Madeenah, he found the Jews fasting on this day. He continued fasting on this day and ordered the Muslims to fast too. Afterwards, Allah legislated the fasting during the Month of Ramadan. Then, the fast of 'Ashoora’ became a supererogatory fast. But it is desirable for a Muslim to fast on this day. If one fasts on this day, it is better for him to fast on the 9th of Muharram as well in order to be different from the Jews.
The pieces of evidence for this point are as follows:
1 - Imam Al-Bukhari and Muslim 
reported that 'Aa’ishah 
said: "The tribe of Quraysh used to fast on the day of 'Ashoora’ in the pre-Islamic period, and Allah's Apostle used to fast on this day too. When he came to Al-Madeenah, he fasted on this day and ordered others to fast too. Later, when fasting of the month of Ramadan was prescribed, he (the Prophet) said: "Whoever wishes to fast 'Ashoora’, he may do so, and whoever wishes not to fast it, he may do so as well”.
2 - Ibn ‘Abbaas 
narrated: When the Prophet came to Al-Madeenah, he found the Jews fasting on the day of 'Ashoora' (i.e. 10th of Muharram). They used to say: “This is a great day on which Allah saved Moses and drowned the folk of Pharoah. Moses observed the fast on this day as a sign of gratitude to Allah. Thereupon, the Prophet said: "I am closer to Moses than them". So, he observed the fast (on this day) and ordered the Muslims to fast on it". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
3 - It is reported in Saheeh Al-Bukhari and Muslim that Ibn 'Abbas said: "I never saw the Prophet seeking to fast on a day more (preferable to him) than this day, (the day of 'Ashoora’) or this month, i.e. the month of Ramadan.”
Moreover, Imam At-Tirmithi narrated from Abu Qatadah that the Prophet said: ''I hope from Allah that the fast on the day of 'Ashoora’ atones for the sins of the preceding year."
Imam Ahmad narrated that "it atones the sins of two years, past and subsequent year".
4 - Imam Muslim reported that Ibn ‘Abbas, narrated: “When the Prophet fasted on the day of ‘Ashoora’ and recommended that it should be observed as a fast, they (his Companions) said to him: “O, Messenger of Allah! It is a day which the Jews and Christians hold in high esteem. Thereupon, the Prophet said: ''When the next year comes, Allaah willing, we would observe the fast on the 9th. But the Prophet died before the advent of the next year".
This is the guidance of the Prophet regarding 'Ashoora’. His Companions and their followers followed his example. They have not distinguished this day by any practice except by fasting.
But many acts done by some ignorant Muslims which "deform the face of Islam" have no evidence from the Quran and the Sunnah. These acts include celebrating this day, slapping one's face, tearing off one's clothes, using swords and blood-shedding. Indeed, none of these acts have any authentic relevance to 'Ashoora’; rather, they are pure innovations and bad deeds. The enemies of Islam use them to misrepresent Islam.
Allah knows best.
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