THE DAY OF ASHURA
Afzal Shah Madudi 
THE DAY OF ASHURA
The entire month of Muharram is honored but the 10th of Muharram has significant importance as many important events that occurred on this day.
One of them is that many members of our Beloved Prophet’s ﷺ family members were martyred at Karbala including his grandson, Imam Hussain (Radhy Allahu Anhu).
It is Sunnah to fast on this day (10th) and on the day before (9th) or on the next day (11th). Hazrat Abu Qatadah (Radhy Allahu Anhu) related that the Beloved Prophet ﷺ said, "I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of Ashura may remove the sins of the preceding year." (Sahih Muslim 1162).
Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhy Allahu Anhu) reported that the Beloved Prophet ﷺ arrived in Madina Munawarrah and saw the people of the Jewish faith fasting on the day Ashura. They fasted because it was the day when Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala saved Prophet Musa (Alayhissalam) and his people, and drowned the Pharoah so Prophet Musa (Alayhissalam) fasted out of gratitude and the Jews followed this practice. The Beloved Prophet ﷺ said "We have more right and have a closer connection with Musa (Alayhissalam) than you have,'' so the Beloved Prophet ﷺ fasted on the day of Ashura.
In another narration by Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhy Allahu Anhu), the Beloved Prophet ﷺ said: "When the next year comes, God willing, we will observe fast on the 9th (of Muharram). (Sahih Muslim 1134).
We encourage everyone to fast on the day of Ashura and the day after (11th) or the day before (9th). May Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala accept our duas.
Afzal Ali shah Maududi
Editor cum Bureau chief.
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