Alhamdulillah, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) has blessed us to see another year. The first month of this year is Muharram. In this month is an excellent day-the day of Ashura-which falls on the 10th of Muharram. The Holy Prophet (SA) recommended that we fast on this day, by his Sunnah. He also indicated how we should observe the fast of Ashura.
Abu Qatada (Radiallahu’anhu) relates that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said that the fast on the 10th of Muharram atones for the sins of the preceding year. (Sahih Muslim)
Abu Hurayra (RA) reports that the Holy Prophet said that after Ramadan, the fasts of Muharram have the greatest excellence. (Sahih Muslim)
Hakam ibn Al-Arat (RA) relates: I went to Ibn Abbas (RA)… I said to him : Tell me about fasting on Ashura. He said, “When you have seen the new moon of Muharram count the (days) and (begin to) observe fast on the 9th.” I said to him: “Is it how the Holy Messenger of Allah (SM) observed the fast?” He said, “Yes.” (Sahih Muslim)
Hazrat Ibn Abbas (RA) relates that when the Holy Prophet (SM) said: “If I survive till next year, I will definitely observe fast on the 9th of Muharram (as well).” (Sahih Muslim)
What the Holy Prophet (SM) meant was that he would also fast on the 9th as well as the 10th to which he was accustomed. We also should try fasting on the 9th and the 10th of Muharram.
Hazrat Ibn Abbas (RA) reports that the Holy Prophet (SM) arrived in Madinah and found the Jews observing fast on the day of Ashura… They said : “It is the day of great (significance) when Allah delivered Hazrat Musa (Alaihis Salam) and his people and drowned Pharoah and his people, and Sayyidina Musa (AS) observed fast out of gratitude. And we also observe it.” The Holy Messenger of Allah (SM) responded: “We have more right, and we have closer connection with Musa (AS) than you have. So Allah’s Messenger observed fast (on the day of ‘Ashura) and gave us orders to observe it. (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)
Ashura is a day of great historical significance. On this day, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) accepted the repentance of Sayyidina Adam (Alaihis Salam) after his coming down from Paradise; Allah saved Nuh (‘Alaihis Salaam) and his companions in the ark; Allah extinguished the fire in which Ibrahim (AS) was thrown by Namrud; And Allah spoke directly to Musa (AS) and gave him the Commandments. On this same 10th of Muharram Ayub (AS) was restored to health (from leprosy); Yusuf (AS) was reunited with his father Ya’qub (AS); Yunus (AS) was taken out from the belly of the fish; and the sea was divided as the nation of Israel was delivered from captivity and Pharoah’s army was destroyed. Ashura is also the day when Dawud (AS) was forgiven; the kingdom of Sulaiman (AS) was restored; Isa (AS) was raised to Jannah and Husayn (RA), the Holy Prophet’s, grandson, achieved the honour of martyrdom.
Worship Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) as much as you can on Ashura. Allah will release him from a painful punishment who visits a sick person.
Whoever places his hand on an orphan’s head, or feeds a hungry person or gives water to a thirsty man, Allah will feed him a feast from Paradise and will quench his thirst with Salsabil drink (that does not intoxicate). And who ever takes a ghusl on this day will enjoy excellent health and will be freed from sickness and indolence. Whoever provides generously for his family on this day, Allah will be generous to him throughout this year.
And whoever applies Kuhl to his eyes will not suffer from eye-sore again, In sha Allah al-Aziz.
O Allah! Bless us to perform good deeds and gain their reward on Ashura. Make the new year one of unity, cooperation and success for Muslims around the world. Ameen !
Abu Qatada (Radiallahu’anhu) relates that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said that the fast on the 10th of Muharram atones for the sins of the preceding year. (Sahih Muslim)
Abu Hurayra (RA) reports that the Holy Prophet said that after Ramadan, the fasts of Muharram have the greatest excellence. (Sahih Muslim)
Hakam ibn Al-Arat (RA) relates: I went to Ibn Abbas (RA)… I said to him : Tell me about fasting on Ashura. He said, “When you have seen the new moon of Muharram count the (days) and (begin to) observe fast on the 9th.” I said to him: “Is it how the Holy Messenger of Allah (SM) observed the fast?” He said, “Yes.” (Sahih Muslim)
Hazrat Ibn Abbas (RA) relates that when the Holy Prophet (SM) said: “If I survive till next year, I will definitely observe fast on the 9th of Muharram (as well).” (Sahih Muslim)
What the Holy Prophet (SM) meant was that he would also fast on the 9th as well as the 10th to which he was accustomed. We also should try fasting on the 9th and the 10th of Muharram.
Hazrat Ibn Abbas (RA) reports that the Holy Prophet (SM) arrived in Madinah and found the Jews observing fast on the day of Ashura… They said : “It is the day of great (significance) when Allah delivered Hazrat Musa (Alaihis Salam) and his people and drowned Pharoah and his people, and Sayyidina Musa (AS) observed fast out of gratitude. And we also observe it.” The Holy Messenger of Allah (SM) responded: “We have more right, and we have closer connection with Musa (AS) than you have. So Allah’s Messenger observed fast (on the day of ‘Ashura) and gave us orders to observe it. (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)
Ashura is a day of great historical significance. On this day, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) accepted the repentance of Sayyidina Adam (Alaihis Salam) after his coming down from Paradise; Allah saved Nuh (‘Alaihis Salaam) and his companions in the ark; Allah extinguished the fire in which Ibrahim (AS) was thrown by Namrud; And Allah spoke directly to Musa (AS) and gave him the Commandments. On this same 10th of Muharram Ayub (AS) was restored to health (from leprosy); Yusuf (AS) was reunited with his father Ya’qub (AS); Yunus (AS) was taken out from the belly of the fish; and the sea was divided as the nation of Israel was delivered from captivity and Pharoah’s army was destroyed. Ashura is also the day when Dawud (AS) was forgiven; the kingdom of Sulaiman (AS) was restored; Isa (AS) was raised to Jannah and Husayn (RA), the Holy Prophet’s, grandson, achieved the honour of martyrdom.
Worship Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) as much as you can on Ashura. Allah will release him from a painful punishment who visits a sick person.
Whoever places his hand on an orphan’s head, or feeds a hungry person or gives water to a thirsty man, Allah will feed him a feast from Paradise and will quench his thirst with Salsabil drink (that does not intoxicate). And who ever takes a ghusl on this day will enjoy excellent health and will be freed from sickness and indolence. Whoever provides generously for his family on this day, Allah will be generous to him throughout this year.
And whoever applies Kuhl to his eyes will not suffer from eye-sore again, In sha Allah al-Aziz.
O Allah! Bless us to perform good deeds and gain their reward on Ashura. Make the new year one of unity, cooperation and success for Muslims around the world. Ameen !
(These are mentioned as what scholars have determined as the specialties of that day in Ghunya li-Talibin Tariq al-Haqq, Sayyidina Abdul Qadir al-Jilani. www.sunnah.org/)
