Day of Ashura and its Importance

Ashura is the 10th Day of the first Lunar month which is Muharram. When Prophet Muhammad (SWS) migrated from Makkah, he reached Madinah on 1st of Muharram. Hence the Hijri calendar starts from this month.

Important historical event on the Day of Ashura:

Allah says ... "And We certainly sent Moses with Our signs, [saying], "Bring out your people from darknesses into the light and remind them of the days of Allah." Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful." ~ Surah Ibrahim 14: Ayah 5

Narrated Ibn `Abbas: The Prophet (ﷺ) came to Medina and saw the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura. He asked them about that. They replied, "This is a good day, the day on which Allah rescued Bani Israel from their enemy. So, Moses fasted this day." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "We have more claim over Moses than you." So, the Prophet fasted on that day and ordered (the Muslims) to fast (on that day). ~ Sahih al-Bukhari 2004

On this day when Allah (SWT) inspired Musa [AS] to Strike his stick into the sea, it parted, and each portion was like a great towering mountain. Then Allah (SWT) saved Musa [AS] and those with him, all together. Then Allah (SWT) drowned Firoun and his people. This story is mentioned in Surah Ash- Shu'ara 26: Ayah 61 to 67

Prophet Musa [AS] fasted on this day to thank Allah (SWT) for the victory over Firoun. On this day of Ashura, Allah (SWT) caused Moses and the children of Israel (Bani Israel) to have victory over Pharaoh (Firoun), so Jews and Christians also fasted on this day as a sign of glorifying it at the time of Prophet Muhammad (SWS) in Madinah. And later Prophet Muhammad (SWS) and his companions also fasted on this day for thanking Allah for the victory of Musa (AS) and his people. Hence we too follow the Sunnah of our Prophets.

Importance of Fasting on the Day of Ashura:

Narrated Ibn `Abbas: I never saw the Prophet seeking to fast on a day more (preferable to him) than this day, the day of 'Ashura', or this month, i.e. the month of Ramadan. ~Sahih Bukhari 2006

Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of Ashura may atone for the sins (only Sagheera/Minor sins) of the preceding year. ~ Sahih Muslim 2746

Narrated Ibn `Abbas: When the Prophet (ﷺ) arrived at Medina he found that the Jews observed fast on the day of 'Ashura'. They were asked the reason for the fast. They replied, "This is the day when Allah caused Moses and the children of Israel to have victory over Pharaoh, so we fast on this day as a sign of glorifying it." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "We are closer to Moses than you." Then he ordered that fasting on this day should be observed. ~ Sahih al-Bukhari 3943

Ibn 'Abbas said: When the Prophet (ﷺ) on the day of 'Ashurah commanded us to fast on it, they (i.e. Companions) said: Messenger of Allah, this is a day which is considered great by Jews and Christians ? The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: When the next year comes, we shall fast on the 9th of Muharram. But the next year the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) breathed his last. ~ Sunan Abi Dawud 2445

The Holy Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) has stated, “Observe Fast on the day of Aashura, and oppose the Jews in this by observing an additional Fast one day before or one day after it.” [Musnad Imam Ahmad, Hadith 2154].

Note: Because of all the above Hadiths, it is recommended to fast on 9th & 10th or 10th & 11th of Muharram. If a person cannot fast for two days, he could fast minimum for only one day i.e 10th of Muharram.

Sacred Months mentioned in Quran and Hadith:

Allah says in the Glorious Quran... "Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them." ~ Surah Taubah 9: Ayah No 36

As mentioned in Sahih Bukhari Hadith No: 3197, Narrated Abu Bakra: The Prophet said: The year is of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred: Three are in succession Dhul-Qa' da, Dhul-Hijja and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab of the tribe of Mudar which comes between Jumadi-ath-Thaniyah and Sha ban.

Dhul Qa'da, Dhul Hijja (The month of Hajj) and Muharram come in succession. Muharram is the first month of Islamic calendar and Rajab is the seventh month of islamic calendar. The sins done in these four sacred months are more heavier. And the good deeds done during these months are more rewarding. Hence we should be careful to abstain from all the major sins as well as minor sins. And we could do as many good deeds as possible.

Note: After the month of Rajab comes the month of Sha ban and then Ramdhan.

The importance of fasting in Muharram:

Abu Haraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger ( ‌صلی ‌اللہ ‌علیہ ‌وسلم ‌ ) as saying: The most excellent fast after Ramadan is Allah's month al-Muharram (most importantly the fast of Ashura), and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night (Qiyam ul Layl which includes Tahajjud and Witr). ~ Sahih Muslim Hadith No. 2755

After the Fardh (obligatory) fastings of Ramadhan the most two important fasts are the Fastings on day of Ashura (the 10th of Muharram) and Arafah (the 9th of Dhul Hijjah).

Some Easy (Good) Deeds that could be done during the month of Muharram are:

1️⃣ Recitation of Quran 2️⃣ Tasbeehat 3️⃣ Nawafil 4️⃣ Saqdah/ Khairaat