Muharram and the Day of Ashura
Suggest editMuharram
Muharram (محرم) is the first month of the Islamic calendar and one of the four sacred months. The Prophet said: 'The best fasting after Ramadan is the month of Allah, Muharram' (Sahih Muslim 1163). Fighting and bloodshed were prohibited in this month even in pre-Islamic Arabia, and Islam confirmed its sacred status.
The Day of Ashura
The 10th of Muharram is known as the Day of Ashura (عاشوراء). When the Prophet arrived in Madinah, he found the Jews fasting on this day. They explained it was the day Allah saved Musa (Moses) and the Children of Israel from Pharaoh. The Prophet said: 'We have more right to Musa than you,' and he fasted the day and commanded fasting on it (Sahih al-Bukhari 2004). Fasting on the Day of Ashura expiates the sins of the previous year (Sahih Muslim 1162).
Recommended Practice
The Prophet intended to fast the 9th along with the 10th to distinguish the Muslim practice from that of the Jews (Sahih Muslim 1134). Therefore, the recommended practice is to fast both the 9th and 10th of Muharram, or the 10th and 11th. Fasting only the 10th is permissible but fasting an additional day is preferred.
Historical Note
The martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali at Karbala occurred on the 10th of Muharram, 61 AH (680 CE). Ahl us-Sunnah mourns this tragedy as a great loss but does not adopt the mourning rituals of self-flagellation or chest-beating, which have no basis in the Quran or Sunnah. The proper observance remains fasting and extra worship, as the Prophet taught.