Ashura Fasting

♣ (The tribe of) Quraish used to fast on the day of Ashura' in the Pre-lslamic period, and then Allah's Apostle Sallallahu Alaihiwasallam ordered (Muslims) to fast on it till the fasting in the month of Ramadan was prescribed; whereupon the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihiwasallam said, "He who wants to fast (on 'Ashura') may fast, and he who does not want to fast may not fast."

Narrated by Aisha (RadhiAllahu Anha)​​

Books - Sa​hih al Bukhari - Volume 3, Book 31, Number 117 & Sahih Muslim - Book 14, Number 2693

♣ Allah's Apostle Sallallahu Alaihiwasallam ordered (the Muslims) to fast on the day of 'Ashura', and when fasting in the month of Ramadan was prescribed, it became optional for one to fast on that day ('Ashura')or not.

Narrated by Aisha (RadhiAllahu Anha)​​

Book - Sa​hih al Bukhari - Volume 3, Book 31, Number 219​

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♣ ​When Allah's Messenger Sallallahu Alaihiwasallam came to Madina, he found the Jews observing the fast on the day of Ashura. They (the Jews) were asked about it and they said:

It is the day on which Allah granted victory to Moses and (his people) Bani Isra'il over the Pharaoh and we observe fast out of gratitude to Him. Upon this the Apostle of Allah Sallallahu Alaihiwasallam said: We have a closer connection with Moses than you have, and he commanded to observe fast on this day.

Narrated by Ibn Abbas (RadhiAllahu Anhu)​​

Book - Sa​hih Muslim - Book 14, Number 2712

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♣ The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihiwasallam came to Madina 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 Sallallahu Alaihiwasallam 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).

Narrated by Ibn Abbas (RadhiAllahu Anhu)​​

Book - Sahih al Bukhari - Volume 3, Book 31, Number 222 & Sa​hih Muslim - Book 14, Number 2714​​

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♣ ​The people of Khaibar (most of them were Jews) observed fast on tht day of 'Ashura and they treated it as eid and gave their women ornaments and beautiful dress to wear. The Messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alaihiwasallam said:

You (only) observe fast on this day.

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Narrated by Abu Musa (RadhiAllahu Anhu)​​

Book - Sa​hih Muslim - Book 14, Number 2717​​​

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​♣ I never saw the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihiwasallam 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.

Narrated by Ibn Abbas (RadhiAllahu Anhu)​​

Book - Sahih al Bukhari - Volume 3, Book 31, Number 224

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​♣ ​​​​​​​Ibn Abbas (RadhiAllahu Anhu) was asked about observing of fast on the day of Ashura, whereupon he said:

I do not know Allah's Messenger Sallallahu Alaihiwasallam singling out any day's fast and considering it more excellent than another, except this day (the day of Ashura) and this month, meaning the month of Ramadan.

Book - Sa​hih Muslim - Book 14, Number 2718​​​​​

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♣ ​​​​​​​​​I went to Ibn 'Abbas (RadhiAllahu Anhu) and he was reclining using his mantle as a pillow near the fountain of Zamzam. I said to him: Tell me about fasting on Ashura. He said: When you see the new moon of Muharram then count the (days) and observe fast on the 9th. I said to him: Is it how the Messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alaihiwasallam observed the fast? He said: Yes.

Narrated by Hakam b. al-'Araj (RadhiAllahu Anhu)​​

Book - Sa​hih Muslim - Book 14, Hadith No 2720

♣ ​​​​​​Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying:

He who observed the fast of Ramadan and then followed it with six (fasts) of Shawwal. it would be as if he fasted perpetually.

Narrated by: Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (RadhiAllahu Anhu)

Book - Sahih Muslim - Book 14, Hadith No 2815​​