why is the 10th of Muharram called the Day of ‘Ashura?
Because it is the tenth day [‘Ashura means tenth in Arabic. ed.], just as the ninth day is called Tasu‘a’
Messenger of Allah, 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.” [Muslim]
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.” [al-Bukhari]
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.” [Muslim]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said concerning the month of Muharram:
The best Sawm after Ramadan, is the Month of Allah: Muharram. Therefore, it is recommendable to fast the whole of Muharram and it is Sunnah (supererogatory act of worship following the example of the Prophet) to fast on the ninth, the tenth and the eleventh of it.
Similarly, it is reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to fast the entire of Sha‘ban or most of it as authentically reported in the Hadith of `Aishah and Um Salamah (may Allah be pleased with both of them).
With regard to fasting the Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah, first of all what is meant is the first nine days, as the Day of ‘Eid is not allowable to fast on, but it is recommendable to fast on these nine days for it brings a great reward according to the general meaning of the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him),
'There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.' They asked, 'Not even Jihad (fighting/striving) in the Cause of Allah?' He (peace be upon him) said, 'Not even Jihad in the Cause of Allah, except for a man who goes out (for Jihad) with his self and his wealth, and comes back with nothing of that.' There are Hadiths that indicate that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to fast on these days and others that show that he (peace be upon him) did not fast on them, but nothing has been authentically reported that determines his fasting or not fasting them.
Because it is the tenth day [‘Ashura means tenth in Arabic. ed.], just as the ninth day is called Tasu‘a’
Messenger of Allah, 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.” [Muslim]
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.” [al-Bukhari]
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.” [Muslim]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said concerning the month of Muharram:
The best Sawm after Ramadan, is the Month of Allah: Muharram. Therefore, it is recommendable to fast the whole of Muharram and it is Sunnah (supererogatory act of worship following the example of the Prophet) to fast on the ninth, the tenth and the eleventh of it.
Similarly, it is reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to fast the entire of Sha‘ban or most of it as authentically reported in the Hadith of `Aishah and Um Salamah (may Allah be pleased with both of them).
With regard to fasting the Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah, first of all what is meant is the first nine days, as the Day of ‘Eid is not allowable to fast on, but it is recommendable to fast on these nine days for it brings a great reward according to the general meaning of the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him),
'There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.' They asked, 'Not even Jihad (fighting/striving) in the Cause of Allah?' He (peace be upon him) said, 'Not even Jihad in the Cause of Allah, except for a man who goes out (for Jihad) with his self and his wealth, and comes back with nothing of that.' There are Hadiths that indicate that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to fast on these days and others that show that he (peace be upon him) did not fast on them, but nothing has been authentically reported that determines his fasting or not fasting them.
The Day of Ashura - the 10th of Muharram
