Fasting on Tasu’a and Ashura days

Observing voluntary fast on the Ashura day is a prophetic practice in Islam. Ashura is the tenth day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Monday October 3, 2016 was declared by the Sultanate Council, Sokoto, as the Maharram 1, 1438AH. The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in a press release signed by its Secretary-General, Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, encouraged Muslims in Nigeria to observe Tasu’a and Ashura fasting respectively on Tuesday October 11, 2016 and Wednesday October 12, 2016; urging them to pray for Allah’s intervention in the challenges confronting us as a nation.
Aisha (RA), wife of the Prophet (SAW) said Ashura was a day on which the Quraysh used to fast during the pre-Islamic (jahiliyyah) period. When the Prophet (SAW) migrated to Madinah from Makkah, he still fasted on the (Ashura) day and ordered that fasting be observed on the day. ‘When (the injunction) on Ramadan came’, Aisha (RA) said, ‘it was made obligatory (in place of) of Ashura. Whoever wanted to fast (on Ashura day) could do so and whoever did not want could eat on the day’.
Imam Bukahri relates from Ibn Abbas (RA) who said when the Prophet (SAW) arrived Madinah and saw the Jews fasting on Ashura, he asked to know about its significance. They said, ‘It is a righteous day; a day on which Allah (SAW) saved the Israelites from their enemy (Pharaoh) and Prophet Musa (AS) thereafter fasted on the day. The Prophet (SAW) responded and said, ‘I have more claim to Musa (AS) than you all’. The Prophet (SAW) thus fasted on the (Ashura) day and ordered other Muslims to fast on the day. It cannot be denied that the Prophet (SAW) more than any other person or group has greater to Prophet Musa (AS) because it was Musa (AS) who urged prophet Muhammad (SAW) to return to Allah (SWT) to seek concession and a reduction in the number of daily obligatory prayers from fifty to five during the Prophet’s accession trip to the heavens.
Imam Muslim relates on the authority of Abi Qatadah (RA) who said the Prophet (SAW) was asked about fasting on Ashura day and he replied, ‘it expiates for (the sins) of the previous year’. Malik (RA) relates that he heard Umar bn al-Khattab sent a message to al-Harith saying, ‘Tomorrow is the day of Ashura, so fast (it) and tell your family to fast (also)’. Malik relates from Ibn Shihab that Humayd bn Abdurrahman bn Awf heard Mu’awiyyah bn Abi Sufyan say from the pulpit (mimbar) on the day of Ashura in the year he performed pilgrimage (hajj), “people of Madinah! Where are your learned men? I heard the messenger of Allah (SAW) about this day that ‘This is the day of Ashura and fasting it has not been prescribed for you. I am fasting it, and whoever wants to fast it can do so; and whoever does not want to, does not have to”.
Again, Imam Muslim relates on the authority of Ibn Abbas (RA) who reported that the Prophet (SAW) said, ‘If I am alive by (next year), I will fast on Tasu’a day (the ninth day of Muharram); in addition to Ashura (the tenth day)’. Ibn Abbas said the Prophet (SAW) however did not live to see the following year. Imam Annawawi said many scholars including Imam Shafi’i, Ahmad, Imam Ishaq and others all opine that fasting on Ashura and Tasu’a are both prophetic traditions recommended for Muslims to observe because while he (SAW) actually fasted on Ashura, he intended to fast on Tasu’a, which in the opinion of such scholars, is as good as the Ashura. Others opine that the reason which probably prompted the Prophet (SAW) to declare his intention to fast on Tasu’a in addition to Ashura (making it two consecutive days) was to distinguish the fasting by Muslims on Ashura from the fasting by the Jews who fasted on just Ashura day. Allah knows best.
The entire month of Muharram in, which Tasu’a and Ashura are found, is one of the four months described as sacred by Allah (SWT) in Qur’an, 9:36 ‘The number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve (in a year) so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred: that is the straight path, so wrong not yourselves therein…’. These four months are interpreted to be the months of Muharram, Rajab, Dhul-Qa’dah and Dhul-Hijjah.
Muharram, which means sacred, explains why it is so called. Sinning in this month is thus a serious disobedience just as good deeds within it bring greater reward. Those who can afford, beyond Tasu’a and Ashura fasting could yet observe voluntary fast in other days of Muharram. Abu Hurayrah (RA) reports that the Prophet (SAW) said, ‘The best of fasting after Ramadan is fasting during Allah’s month, Muharram’.
On these two days, Tasu’a and Ashura, Muslims are enjoined to renew their repentance over their sins, small as well as big. Let us resolve and promise Allah (SWT), as the new Islamic year begins, to be righteous henceforth; eschewing all forms of disobedience to Allah’s injunctions and to constituted authorities. It is also a period for us to practice charity and give alms to the needy. Let us remember thousands of Nigerians who fell victims to the Boko Haram insurgency and are now living in Internally Displaced Persons’ camps. May Allah (SWT) guide us to observe the prophetic practice on Tasu’a and Ashura, amin.