This article will help you understand what are the virtues of fasting in Muharram and the rewards of fasting on the 9th and 10th Muharram which is Ashura day.
Importance of Muharram
Muharram is the first Islamic month and the most important one. This month has the day of Ashura which is a day when our sins are forgiven if we pray for Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. It is also commended to do charity during this month as much as you can.
This is the month when the family of Prophet Muhammad PBUH was brutally martyred by Yazid’s cruel forces in the battle of Karbala.
Fasting in Muharram
After Ramadan, Muharram is the month when Muslims should fast, said Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Muslims should fast this Month, and get rewarded just like Ramadan. (Cited from Bukhari).
Fasting in Muharram is also mentioned in the Al-Tawbah;
The month of Muharram is one of the four sacred months in Islam. And indeed every prayer or fast you observe during this month will earn you double the rewards than any other month.
Fasting on 9th and 10th Muharram
As per Hadiths, For Muslims, it is obligatory for Muslims to fast on both days (i.e 9th and 10th Muharram), and in case one misses one fast, such as a person misses the fast of 9th Muharram, that person should not fast on the 10th Muharram alone.
A Muslim should be fasting on the 9th and 10th Muharram, and should not fast if one misses any of these fasts.
Jews used to fast on Ashura Day (10th of Muharram), After our Prophet (PBUH) saw this act, he asked Jews and Christians what is it about, and they told that they fast because Moses (Musa AS) was saved from the Pharoah this day. After hearing this, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that we own Moses more than Jews and Christians, so he (PBUH) asked Muslims to fast on the 10th.
But later he ordered Muslims to fast on both the 9th and 10th Muharram.
Hadiths about Fasting on Ashura Day
Ashura Day is the 10th Muharram when the family of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) including his Grandson Hussain Ibn Ali (RA) was martyred by the cruel Yazid army.
This day has a lot of significance in Islam due to many reasons.
Another hadith about Fasting on Ashura day includes;
Can we fast only on 10th Muharram or 9th Muharram? Only one day?
No, you can not fast for only one day whether it is the 9th Muharram or 10th Muharram. You have to fast either on both days or do not fast at all if you miss any of the fast.
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