SIGNIFICANCE OF FASTING ON THE DAY OF ASHURA
When Prophet Muhammad SAW arrived in Madinah he saw that the Jews were observing fast on the Day of Ashura to celebrate the victory of Prophet Musa(Moses) over Pharoh.
Prophet Musa(AS) raised his voice against the tyranny of Pharoh and fought for the freedom of his nation (Bani Israel) from the shackles of slavery.
When the Prophet SAW arrived at Medina, the Jews were observing the fast on 'Ashura' (10th of Muharram) and they said, "This is the day when Moses became victorious over Pharaoh," On that, the Prophet SAW said to his companions, "You (Muslims) have more right to celebrate Moses' victory than they have, so observe the fast on this day." [Sahih Bukhari 4680]
Due to the victory of Prophet Moses(AS) and to show their love for Prophet Moses(AS) Muslims also fast on the day of Ashura but it is optional for them to fast on this day as is evident from the following hadith:
The people used to fast on 'Ashura' (the tenth day of the month of Muharram) before the fasting of Ramadan was made obligatory. And on that day, the Kaba used to be covered with a cover. When Allah made fasting during the month of Ramadan compulsory, Allah's Messenger SAW said, "Whoever wishes to fast (on the day of 'Ashura') may do so; and whoever wishes to leave it can do so." [Sahih Bukhari 1592]
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported that he (the Messenger of Allah) was asked as to which prayer was most excellent after the prescribed prayer, and which fast was most excellent after the month of Ramadan. He said:
"Prayer offered in the middle of the night(Tahajjud) and the most excellent fast after (fasting) in the month of Ramadan is the fast in God's month al-Muharram."
As Jews also observe fast on the day of Ashura so for Muslims who want to observe the fast on this day should also observe the fast on the day before that i.e. on the 9th of Muharram or the day after that i.e. 11th of Muharram to differentiate from the Jews. This is evident from the following hadith:
It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Messenger of Allah SAW said:
"If I live until next year, I will fast the ninth day (of Muharram) too.” [Ibn Majah 1736]
It is also evident from the following hadith that fasting on the day of Ashura compensates for all the sins of the previous year:
“Fasting the day of ‘Ashura’, I hope, will expiate for the sins of the previous year.” [Ibn Majah 1738]
This does not mean major sins but rather minor ones.
MARTYRDOM OF IMAM HUSAYN(AS)
This was the day when the tragedy of Karbala took place in which Imam Husayn(AS) along with 72 members of his family were massacred by Yazid's army. When Yazid ibn Muawaya came to power, many people were not happy with his reign as he was a tyrant and corrupt leader. His reign was based on rules that were contrary to Islam. It was in quite contrast to the Rashidun Caliphate, which lasted for about 30 years and serves as a role model for governance not only for Muslims but the rest of the world as well.
Many Muslims across the world remember the tragedy of Karbala and the sacrifice made by Imam Husayn(AS) and the members of his family.
A true Husayni is not the one who only remembers him on the Day of Ashura but a true Husayni is the one who acts upon what Imam Husayn(AS) did.
LESSONS FROM PROPHET MUSA(AS) AND IMAM HUSAYN'S FIGHT AGAINST TYRANNY
Yazid and Pharoh both were corrupt and oppressive rulers who oppressed their people. We learn a very valuable lesson from Prophet Moses's fight against Pharoh and Imam Husayn's sacrifice. That lesson is never to bow down against oppression, to fight till your last breath against those who oppose Allah Almighty. Just like their is always a Pharoh or Yazeed their must also be a Musa(AS) or Husayn(AS) to fight against that Pharaoh or Yazid. Prophet Musa(AS) taught us that if you rise against oppression and tyranny then Allah will help and guide you, and you will succeed in bringing an end to oppression and tyranny.
The sacrifice of Imam Husayn(AS) and his companions in Karbala taught us that even if you don't succeed against oppression in your life then the people after you will achieve success because you will become a role model for them against oppression, injustice, cruelty and tyranny. This is what we learn from history those who martyred Imam Husayn(AS) were killed by the freedom fighters most prominent among them was Mukhtar al-Thaqafi and his followers. Even at present Imam Husayn(AS) serves as a role model for all Muslims to fight against oppression, injustice and tyranny whether it is in Palestine, Kashmir, Myanmar(Rohingya Muslims against the tyranny of Myanmar regime) or in Xinjiang(Uyghur Muslims against oppressive Chinese regime) or anywhere around the world. We should do what Imam Husayn(AS) did never to bow down against oppression and keep on fighting according to your capability and keep faith on Allah Almighty. The resistance to those who oppose the rule of Allah must continue. These are the basic teachings of Islam. This is what our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW, his companions(Sahaba) did, warriors and soldiers in the history of Islam did. This is the real definition of Jihad. This is what we should do as well to rise against oppression and injustice as per our own capabilities. While doing so we should also increase our capabilities to fight against tyranny and injustice in a much better way.
Another interesting lesson which we can learn from the incident of Karbala is what the people of Kufa and the rest of the Muslim Ummah at that time did. The people of Kufa were the ones sending letters calling Imam Husayn(AS) to Kufa but when they were required to stand by him they were absent and became neutral. You must have wondered and asked yourself this question how come Imam Husayn(AS) and his companions were massacred so mercilessly in Karbala while the entire Ummah did not help Imam Husayn(AS) and they did not stand with him? What was the reason that prevented them from standing with Imam Husayn(AS)? It was the same reason that is preventing the Muslim Ummah today from standing with our oppressed brothers in Palestinians, the Kashmiris, the Rohingya Muslims, Uyghur Muslims etc. We are in no way different than the Kufians and the Ummah of that time. If you take Palestine as an example if we were different we would have done practical steps rather than just condemning and issuing statements. The Ummah is silent as it was at the time of the Imam. The Ummah is doing almost nothing for the Muslims being persecuted around the world. In the case of Palestine, if we compare the help offered by the West to Israel with what the Ummah has done to help Palestine than our help is not even 10 percent of the help given by the West to Israel.
OTHER SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DAY OF ASHURA
Some scholars have also narrated that Ashura was the day when:
- Prophet Ayub recovered from his disease.
- The ark of Prophet Nuh(AS)(Noah) stopped at Mount Judiyy.
- Allah created the skies and earth.
- Prophet Yunus was released from the belly of the Whale and Allah forgave his people.
- Prophet Adam(AS) repented and was forgiven by Allah for eating the forbidden fruit.
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