Fasting on the day of Ashura

The Day of `Ashura’

When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) came to Medina he found the Jews fasting the day of Ashura, the tenth of Muharram. He asked them why they were fasting, and they told him it was an auspicious day: the day on which Allah saved Musa and his people and drowned Firaun and his people. Musa fasted out of gratitude to Allah and his people continued to practice after him. The messenger
of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) told the Jews that his nation was closer to Musa than them. He then fasted that day and ordered his Companions to fast. (1)

Several narrations point to the significance of this day from the earliest of times. It has been narrated that it was the day on which Allah forgave our father Adam, the day on which the Ark of Nuh came to rest on the mountain known as al‐Judi and the day on which Allah forgave the people of Yunus (peace be upon him and all the Prophets).

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) taught us to commemorate this day, primarily by fasting . He informed us that if we do so, Allah (swt) wipes out the sins of the previous year.(2) We may ask: if we have already fasted the Day of `Arafat then Allah has already erased our sins in the previous and coming year so what more can be gained from fasting on Ashura? Some scholars mentions that continuously fasting both days leads to a deeper erasure of of ones wrongdoings, protection from falling into sin and also has the effect of wiping out the wrongdoings of one’s family and neighbours.

Why does fasting on the day of Arafat wipe out the sins of two years whereas the day of`Ashura’ only wipes out the sins of one year? One reason, the scholars say, is that the Day of `Arafat is a day attributed to Sayyiduna Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) which is clearly superior to `Ashura’ which is attributed to Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him).

He recommended (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that his Ummah also fast the day before or the day after so that our tradition be different from that of the Jews. We should also renew our repentance on `Ashura.’ The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that it is a day on which Allah allowed a certain people to repent and He will continue to allow others to do the same. (3)

(1) Narrated by al‐Bukhari and Muslim
(2) Narrated by Muslim
(3) Narrated by al‐Tirmidhi

It has been narrated that if someone spends generously upon his family on the Day of`Ashura’ Allah will treat with him generosity for the rest of the year. Sufyan bin `Uyayna said, “We tried this for fifty years and all that we saw was good.” It has likewise been narrated that the one who gives charity on this day will have the reward of a whole year’s charity.

In Tarim people gather in Masjid Ba `Alawi on the eve of `Ashura’ to read the merits of the day and to make du`a. The day itself is a day of Eid. Children wear their best clothes,amusements are provided for them and gifts are given to them.

Shehnaz Karim

Why do we fast?

Q: Why do Muslims fast?

A: There are 3 main reasons why a Muslim fasts during Ramadan.

1) Muslims fast during Ramadan, firstly, because it is the fourth pillar of Islam, and Allah (swt) ordered us to do so. "...fasting is prescribed for you (Muslims)..." (2:183) and " Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was sent down as a guide to humanity, and to provide clear signs for guidance and judgment. So whoever witnesses the month of Ramadan should fast through it..." (2:185).

By fasting, we get to feel they way the poor and hungry feel; it reminds us, when we forget, that our brothers and sisters go through this pain much too often, and so our hearts become softened, and we become more generous.

2) We learn to control ourselves - mentally and physically. Fasting is not limited to abstaining from food and drink - we also abstain from lying, foul language, sexual activity, medicine (unless it is necessary), etc. By keeping away from these things, we learn to control our desires. We learn to be in charge of our bodies rather than to let our bodies be in charge of us. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) once remarked "Whoever does not give up lying and acting on lies during fasting, then Allah has no need of him giving up food and drink." - Bukhari

3) Fasting is healthy for the mind body and soul. When we stop over feeding our bodies, and fast, "our body initiates it's own healing mechanisms, and any ailment may show improvement." - allaboutfasting.com. We constantly over work our bodies by over eating - and just like when we get tired from over working all day then set aside small matters for another day - our body does like wise. Because it is estimated that 65% of the body's energy must be directed to the digestive organs after a heavy meal - fasting is like a vacation for our bodies! With the extra energy your body has, when it is not busy digesting a meal, it begins to heal and work on other areas of the body such as repairing cells and detoxing. Antiaging effects, weight loss, clear skin and clarity (of the mind and soul) are just some of the many benefits of fasting!

The Day Of Arafat + Hadith

Arafat
Who What When Where Why?

On the 9th of Zhul Hijjah, every year, for a single day, over two million people go to arafat to take part in one of the most important steps in the pilgrimage to Hajj. Arafat is a plain, a short distance away from Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is the place that the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) gave his last sermon. Muslims spend their time (noon till dusk) praying and making dua for forgiveness and entrance to paradise in the hereafter. Muslims who did not go to Hajj can get rewards on the day of Arafat by fasting.

Fasting on the day of ‘Arafah is a confirmed Sunnah for those who are not performing Hajj. It was narrated from Abu Qataadah (R.A) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was asked about fasting on the day of ‘Arafah and he said: “It expiates for the past and coming years.”

 [Muslim 1162]