Opening
The first days of Muharram often pass quickly. Before we realize it, the Day of Ashura is upon us. For many Muslims, it is a day of fasting, gratitude, and reflection—but some may not know its significance or may simply need a reminder.
What Is Ashura?
Linguistically, the Arabic term "Ashura" is indicative of "the tenth." By all accounts, the term came to be known as the tenth day of Muharram, often without the need to even mention the month's name.
In nearly any Muslim gathering around the world, if the word "Ashura" is mentioned, people immediately understand that it refers to the 10th day of Muharram.
Ashura is one of the most significant single days of the Muslim calendar. It is a day in which we give thanks to Allah for deliverance from trials and oppression. It is a day of gratitude, forgiveness, and remembrance
Prophet Mohammed ﷺ was known to fast this day even before his migration to Medinah, as it was a practice of his people and those before him to observe fasting on this day.
He ﷺ was known for his devotion to Allah and his rejection of idolatrous practices long before prophethood.
Ashura is also known well as the predecessor for the introduction of fasting (i.e. the month of Ramadan) as one of the five main pillars of the Islamic faith. The fast of the day of Ashura was one of the first commands of practices of worship from Prophet Mohammed ﷺ directly to his followers, until during the following year, when the divine revelation came to introduce the fast of the month of Ramadan (30 days).
The Connection to Musa (عليه السلام)
Prophet Musa (عليه السلام) was charged with the responsibility to not only call Pharoah to Islam, but to guide his people out of oppression and into freedom to live and worship as Allah had intended for them.
He faced many trials and obstacles along the way. Not only was Pharaoh an unwilling recipient of the message, but Musa (عليه السلام) also struggled with a speech impediment and asked Allah to appoint his brother Harun (Aaron) to assist him in conveying the message.
In addition, he of course faced the physical obstacle of the sea in front of him while Pharoah and his multitudes of armies gathered behind him. But then Allah created for him the path to proceed toward freedom – and that same path crushed upon Pharoah and his armies to prevent them access to Musa (عليه السلام) and his people as they fled oppression.
After their arrival on the other side of the sea, Musa (عليه السلام) faced once again the spiritual trial of his people’s ignorance in their practices of idol worshipping – to which he responded with firm and positive opposition as he relayed Allah’s message of monotheism.
It was Musa’s (عليه السلام) own practice to mark this date with annual fasting as a means of giving thanks to his Lord for the deliverance He promised.
Over time, the observance of the day took on different forms among later communities.
Upon Prophet Mohammed’s ﷺ migration to Medinah, he noticed on this day (Ashura, or 10th Muharram) the people of Medinah (i.e. Jews) celebrating.
When he asked about it, they explained that they were commemorating the grand exodus of their ancestors by Musa (عليه السلام) from the grasps of Pharoah and the oppression he imposed upon them.
In response, Prophet Mohammed ﷺ stated and advised his companions that they (i.e. the Muslims) were more fitting to commemorate the occasion of Musa’s (عليه السلام) guiding his people out from oppression, and hence opted to celebrate the occasion by worshipping Allah in the form of fasting.
Prophet Mohammed ﷺ often advised and guided his companions to differentiate in their manners of worship and even daily activities from the “people of the book” in minor yet affective practices – and this is one of those instances.
The Jews commemorated Ashura by celebration.
In response to Prophet Mohammed’s ﷺ practice and directive, the Muslims remembered the occasion through worship, fasting, and gratitude to Allah.
In addition, a second way he opted to differentiate the Islamic observance of this day was to advise his followers not only to fast Ashura, but also to accompany it with the fast of Tasu'a—which is the ninth day of Muharram (the day preceding Ashura). (For further details on this ruling, see: Islam Q&A)
The reasoning for this could be multi-fold:
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It concludes by fasting for two days rather than one, thereby differentiating from the practice of the Jews.
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It covers the possibility that the 10th comes on a Friday, thereby avoiding the strong advice to NOT fast a Friday alone without also fasting the day preceding or the day following the Friday.
For a deeper reflection on the story of Musa (عليه السلام), see my previous article here.
Which Days Should We Fast?
Prophet Mohammed ﷺ directed his companions to take this day as a day of worship by fasting and seeking forgiveness and giving praise and thanks to the One who delivers us from torment and pain and difficulties. (For more explanation, see: Sunnah.com)
He ﷺ observed the fast himself, giving his traditional real-life example rather than simply directing his followers to do it.
The day he fasted was the 10th (Ashura) of Muharram – and hence we are also advised to follow his example in fasting the tenth as well.
Ultimately the Exact Date of the Fast?
The Prophet ﷺ then advised his companions to fast also on the 9th, as it was his intention to fast the two days the next year. He never made it to the next year to observe the fast of the two days together, but it was his intention.
Therefore, it is the widely accepted opinion of most high scholars that the best option for the fast of Ashura is to observe the two days: 9th and 10th.
The alternative to this, or second option is to fast the 10th and 11th.
The minimum to fast would be the 10th alone, and that is acceptable. (For further details on this ruling, see: Islam Q&A)
Why This Matters Today
Just as Musa (عليه السلام) and his people were delivered from oppression, the early Muslims also endured persecution, boycott, and hardship before eventually finding safety and freedom to worship Allah openly. It is perhaps no surprise that the Prophet ﷺ felt a strong connection to the story of Musa (عليه السلام) and encouraged his followers to commemorate this day through fasting and gratitude.
We have so much to be thankful for, and so this is an opportunity not to be missed – to fast the day of Ashura (and along with it a second day, either prior or after) – and to reap the rewards of expiations of the sins of the whole past year, as indicated by Prophet Mohammed ﷺ. (For more explanation, see: Sunnah.com)
Fasting for this one day, or even two days as recommended, is a small act, but comes with it great reward, of course depending on your intention.
A Gentle Reminder
This year, 2026, the 10th of Muharram comes on June 25, 2026. So mark your calendar now to set your goal for fasting the 9th and 10th – June 24 & 25 (Wednesday and Thursday).
We will return to this article next year inshaAllah to update the dates for your reference, but mark your calendar now for this year – as the date is arriving soon. You can even make your intention from now, and then renew it once the day arrives.
Prepare your family and close friends as well – to remind them – with the hopes and prayers that as they perform any good deed, so you will also be rewarded without their deed being decreased due to your reception of reward for that.
Set a physical reminder on your digital calendar to help you – on your mobile or other device – to go off a day prior so as not to miss it. Place notes or posters around the home – any physical and eminent reminder that Ashura is coming.
It is a blessed day deserving of observance by giving thanks and praise to Allah for all of the blessings He continues to bestow on you and all of us.
This day serves as a reminder of deliverance from torment and oppression. Give thanks to Him for guiding you to Islam and for continually renewing your faith, for it is He who has delivered you from whatever you faced before your acceptance of Islam and from whatever struggles you continue to overcome through His guidance—just as He delivered Musa (عليه السلام) and his people from the torment of Pharaoh, and just as He delivered Prophet Mohammed ﷺ and his followers from the persecution of the tribes of Makkah.
Without His guidance, we would not be Muslims today, nor would we have been blessed with the guidance we now enjoy.
Be a thankful servant who is keen to worship Him as He deserves and commands.
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