Every year, the question is asked again: What happened on day of Ashura? And what makes this day so important and sacred for Muslims? In this article, we explore the major events that took place on this blessed day and learn about its virtues and the ruling on fasting according to what has been narrated from the Prophet ﷺ.
What is the Day of Ashura?
It is the tenth day of the sacred month of Muharram. It was given this name because “Ashura” in Arabic means “tenth,” referring to the tenth day of Muharram.
The Day of Ashura corresponds to the day when Allah saved Prophet Musa (Moses, peace be upon him) from Pharaoh. With this, we have answered the question: What is the Day of Ashura?
Events That Happened on the Day of Ashura
Many people ask, what happened on day of Ashura, and why is this day important to Muslims?
The answer is that several significant events occurred on this day, including the following
The Salvation of Musa (Peace Be Upon Him)
Allah the Almighty saved Prophet Musa on the Day of Ashura and drowned Pharaoh. Musa (peace be upon him) left Egypt with the believers, and Pharaoh pursued them to harm and kill them.
But Allah, in His infinite power, saved His Prophet Musa and those who were with him. He commanded the sea to split into two parts, and the Children of Israel walked through it alongside Prophet Musa.
Pharaoh and his army followed them, but once Musa and his people had safely passed, Allah closed the sea and drowned Pharaoh and his army. Musa and the Children of Israel fasted this day in gratitude to Allah.
Allah says:
“وَأَنجَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ وَمَن مَّعَهُۥٓ أَجْمَعِينَ ٦٥ ثُمَّ أَغْرَقْنَا ٱلْـَٔاخَرِينَ ٦٦”
“and delivered Moses and those with him all together. Then we drowned the others.”
The Martyrdom of Al-Husayn
The Day of Ashura is also a day of mourning and grief for the Shia community, as it marks the martyrdom of Al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib, the grandson of the Prophet ﷺ, who was killed on this day in the Battle of Karbala.
With this, we have answered the question: what happened on day of Ashura? This is the view held by the majority of Sunni scholars.
As for the claims that Prophet Nuh (Noah, peace be upon him) landed on Mount Judi on this day, or that Allah saved Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, peace be upon him) from the fire on Ashura, these are not authentic according to the majority of jurists.
What is the ruling on Fasting day of Ashura?
Fasting the Day of Ashura is a Sunnah (recommended practice) of the Prophet ﷺ. It has been authentically reported that he used to fast this day and encouraged others to do so.
The reason behind Fasting day of Ashura is based on the following hadith
حَدَّثَنَا زِيَادُ بْنُ أَيُّوبَ، حَدَّثَنَا هُشَيْمٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بِشْرٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ لَمَّا قَدِمَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْمَدِينَةَ وَجَدَ الْيَهُودَ يَصُومُونَ عَاشُورَاءَ فَسُئِلُوا عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالُوا هَذَا الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي أَظْهَرَ اللَّهُ فِيهِ مُوسَى عَلَى فِرْعَوْنَ وَنَحْنُ نَصُومُهُ تَعْظِيمًا لَهُ . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ نَحْنُ أَوْلَى بِمُوسَى مِنْكُمْ ” . وَأَمَرَ بِصِيَامِهِ .
Ibn ‘Abbas said: When the Prophet (ﷺ) came to Medina, he found the Jews observing fast on the day of ‘Ashurah; so they were asked about it (by the Prophet). They said, This is a day on which Allah gave Moses domination over Pharaoh. We fast on it out of reverence to him. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, We have a closer connection with Moses than you have. He then gave orders that it should be observed.
What are the benefits of Fasting Ashura Day?
The Prophet ﷺ explained the benefits of fasting Ashura day, saying that it expiates the sins of the previous year, as mentioned in the following hadith:
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عَبْدَةَ، أَنْبَأَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا غَيْلاَنُ بْنُ جَرِيرٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَعْبَدٍ الزِّمَّانِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ “ صِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ إِنِّي أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِي قَبْلَهُ ” .
It was narrated from Abu Qatadah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Fasting the day of ‘Ashura’, I hope, will expiate for the sins of the previous year.”
Can I fast one day of Ashura?
Yes, it is permissible to fast the Day of Ashura alone, and the Prophet ﷺ did not prohibit this. However, it is recommended to fast a day before it or a day after it, to differ from the Jews who fast it alone. One can also fast three days: the 9th, 10th, and 11th of Muharram.
With this, we have answered the question: Can I fast one day of Ashura? as mentioned in the following hadith:
وَحَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْحُلْوَانِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ أَيُّوبَ، حَدَّثَنِي إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ أُمَيَّةَ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا غَطَفَانَ بْنَ طَرِيفٍ الْمُرِّيَّ، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ، بْنَ عَبَّاسٍ – رضى الله عنهما – يَقُولُ حِينَ صَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَوْمَ عَاشُورَاءَ وَأَمَرَ بِصِيَامِهِ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ يَوْمٌ تُعَظِّمُهُ الْيَهُودُ وَالنَّصَارَى . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ فَإِذَا كَانَ الْعَامُ الْمُقْبِلُ – إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ – صُمْنَا الْيَوْمَ التَّاسِعَ ” . قَالَ فَلَمْ يَأْتِ الْعَامُ الْمُقْبِلُ حَتَّى تُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم.
“Ibn ‘Abbas reported that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) fasted on the day of ‘Ashura and commanded that it should be observed as a fast, they (his Companions) said to him, ‘Messenger of Allah, it is a day which the Jews and Christians hold in high esteem.’ Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, When the next year comes, God willing, we would observe fast on the 9th. But the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) died before the advent of the next year.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, the answer to the question what happened on day of Ashura? includes great events such as the salvation of Musa (peace be upon him) and the martyrdom of Al-Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him). Fasting on this day is a noble Sunnah that expiates the sins of an entire year. Let this day be an opportunity to draw closer to Allah through reflection and fasting.
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