Fasting the Day of Āshūrā [10th of al-Muharram]

Shaykh ibn Bāz [may Allāh bestow mercy upon him] said:

“It has authentically been reported the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ would observe fasting on the Day of ‘Āshūrā [i.e. 10th of al-Muharram] and he would encourage the people to do so. This is because on this Day, Allāh [the Exalted], rescued Mūsa عَلَيْهِ السَلَامُ and his people and destroyed Fir’awn and his people. Therefore, it is desirable for every male and female Muslim to observe fast on this day, i.e. the 10th day of al-Muharram, to express their gratitude to Allāh the Mighty, the Majestic. Therefore, it is desirable to observe a fast on the day preceding ‘Āshūrā or on the following day in order to differ from the Jews with regard to the way of observing this fast. However, a person may observe fast for the three days consecutively, i.e. the ninth, the tenth, and the eleventh of al-Muharram, as there is no problem [in doing so], for it is reported the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said: ‘Oppose the ways of the Jews and observe fasting for one day before ‘Āshūrā and one day after it.’ According to another narration: ‘Observe fasting for a day before [the Day of ‘Āshūrā] or after it. It was also authentically reported that when the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ was asked about observing fast on the Day of ‘Āshūrā, Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said: ‘Allāh, [the Exalted] expiates by it [i.e.the fast of Āshūrā] the sins of the previous year.’”

Majmū’ Fatāwa Shaykh ibn Bāz [may Allāh bestow mercy upon him] | Volume 15, Page 397 | Shaykh ibn Bāz [may Allāh bestow mercy upon him]

Translation: Authentic Quotes