Ashura and the day of Musa
The Prophet ﷺ found the Jews of Madinah fasting the 10th of Muharram. They said it was the day Musa was saved. He said: we have more right.
Outline
- 1
Why Muslims fast Ashura
It is the day Allah saved Musa and the Bani Israel from Pharaoh. The Prophet ﷺ said: we have more right to Musa than they (Bukhari 2004). The lineage of the prophets is shared; the gratitude is owed by their followers.
- 2
The 9th and the 10th
When the Prophet ﷺ was told the Jews fast only the 10th, he said: if I live until next year, I will fast the 9th too (Muslim 1134). To distinguish, and to take advantage of two days. Most scholars recommend 9th plus 10th today.
- 3
What the fast erases
Fasting Ashura expiates the sins of the previous year (Muslim 1162). One day on the calendar, twelve months in the ledger. Cleared.
Closing line
If you are reading this in Muharram, plan now. The 9th and the 10th. Set the reminder before the day passes.
Aisha (RA) reported: the Prophet's ﷺ khutbahs were of moderate length and his prayers were short (Sahih Muslim 869). Aim for fifteen to twenty minutes. Two sections separated by a brief sitting is the Sunnah pattern.