Virtues of Muharram & Fasting on Ashura

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets and Chief of the Messengers, and upon all his family and companions.

Allah’s sacred month of Muharram is a blessed and important month. It is the first month of the Hijri calendar and is one of the four sacred months concerning which Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so it was ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four are sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein…” [At-Tawbah 9:36] Abu Bakr RA reported that the Prophet SAWS said: “The year is twelve months of which four are sacred, the three consecutive months of Dhul Qadah, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab which comes between Jumada and Shaban.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari, 2958]

The Sacred Month of Muharram

Verily, the most truthful of speech is the Speech of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The worst of affairs are those that are newly introduced, and every newly introduced affair is an innovation, and every innovation is a misguidance, and every misguidance leads to the Hell Fire.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Fasting on Ashura (in Muharram) - 9th and 10th of Muharram

Fasting on the the days of Ashura is a highly recommended (though not obligatory) act as the following ahadith prove.

The New Hijri Year and the Fasting in Muharram

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“The best fasting after Ramadaan is the month of Allaah Muharram, and the best prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night.”

Narrated by Muslim, 1163.

Please see below for the following beneficial Q&A inshaAllah:

=> Ruling on offering congratulations at the beginning of the Hijri year

=>Is it advised to end the year with prayers for forgiveness and fasting?

=>The virtue of observing a lot of naafil fasts in the month of Muharram

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Fasting on Ashura (in Muharram)

Fasting on the the days of Ashura is a highly recommended (though not obligatory) act as the following ahadith prove.


Vol 2, Book 26. Pilgrimmage (Hajj).
Hadith 662. (Sahih Bukhari)

Narrated By 'Aisha: The people used to fast on 'Ashura (the tenth day of the month of Muharram) before the fasting of Ramadan was made obligatory. And on that day the Ka'ba used to be covered with a cover. When Allah made the fasting of the month of Ramadan compulsory, Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever wishes to fast (on the day of 'Ashura') may do so; and whoever wishes to leave it can do so." Vol 4, Book 55. Prophets. Hadith 609. (Sahih Bukhari) Narrated By Ibn 'Abbas: When the Prophet came to Medina, he found (the Jews) fasting on the day of 'Ashura' (i.e. 10th of Muharram). They used to say: "This is a great day on which Allah saved Moses and drowned the folk of Pharaoh. Moses observed the fast on this day, as a sign of gratitude to Allah." The Prophet said, "I am closer to Moses than they." So, he observed the fast (on that day) and ordered the Muslims to fast on it. Vol 5, Book 58. Merits Of The Helpers In Madinah Hadith 278. (Sahih Bukhari) Narrated By Abu Musa: When the Prophet arrived at Medina, he noticed that some people among the Jews used to respect Ashura' (i.e. 10th of Muharram) and fast on it. The Prophet then said, "We have more right to observe fast on this day." and ordered that fasting should be observed on it. Vol 6, Book 60. Prophetic Commentary On The Qur'an Hadith 202. (Sahih Bukhari) Narrated By Ibn Abbas: When the Prophet arrived at Medina, the Jews were observing the fast on 'Ashura' (10th of Muharram) and they said, "This is the day when Moses became victorious over Pharaoh," On that, the Prophet said to his companions, "You (Muslims) have more right to celebrate Moses' victory than they have, so observe the fast on this day." Book 6. Fasting. Hadith 2612. (Sahih Muslim) Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported that he (the Messenger of Allah) was asked as to which prayer was most excellent after the prescribed prayer, and which fast was most excellent after the month of Ramadan. He said: Prayer offered in the middle of the night and the most excellent fast after (fasting) in the month of Ramadan is the fast in God's month al-Muharram.