Although the month of Muharram is a sacred month as a whole, the 10 th of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named ‘Ashurah'. It is one of the most important and blessed days of Allah in the Islamic calendar.
According to the Holy companion, Ibn Abbas Radhiallaho Anhu, when the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam migrated to Madinah, he found that the Jews of Madinah used to fast on the 10 th day of Muharram. They said that it was the day on which the Holy Prophet Musa Alayhis Salaam and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously, and the Pharaoh was drowned in its water. On hearing this from the Jews, the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam said, “We are more closely related to Musa than you.” So the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam directed the Muslims to fast on the day of Ashura. (Abu Dawood). According to another Hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of Ashura should be either preceeded or suceded by an additional fast. It means that one should fast two days: the 9 th and 10 th of Muharram or the 10 th and 11 th . The reason of this additional fast as mentioned by the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam is that the Jews used to fast on the day of Ashura alone, and the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam wanted to distinguish the Islmaic-way of fasting from that of the Jews. Therefore, he advised the Muslims to add another fast to the day of Ashura.
Some Ulama (scholars) are of the opinion that before the fasts of Ramadhan were made compulsory, the fast of the day of Aashora was compulsory upon the Ummah. This is stated in a Hadeeth reported by Hazrat Aisha (Radhiyallahu-Anha): "that the Holy Prophet Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) ordered the observance of the fast of Aashora. However, when the fast of Ramadhan became compulsory, then whosoever wished, kept this fast and whosoever desired did not observe this fast." (Bukhari)
But, nevertheless the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) continued to fast this day and encouraged his Companions to do the same.
Ref: http://www.inter-islam.org/Miscellaneous/muharramreyaz.htm
Significance of Ashura for Sunni Muslims
According to Sunni Hadith, Ashura was already known as a commemorative day during which some Meccans used to observe customary fasting. In Hijrah event when Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) led his followers to Medina, he found the Jews of that area likewise observing fasts on the day of Ashura. At this, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) affirmed the Islamic claim to the fast, and from then the Muslims have fasted on combinations of two or three consecutive days including the 10th of Muharram (e.g. 9th and 10th or 10th and 11th).
A companion of the prophet, Ibn Abas reports that the prophet went to Medina and found the Jews fasting on the tenth of Muharram. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) inquired of them, “What is the significance of this day on which you fast?” They replied, “This is a righteous day. On this day God saved the Israelites from their enemy. Therefore Moses fasted on this day.” Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “I am more worthy of Moses than you.” (taken from Muslim).
From then, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) fasted on the tenth of Muharram. The Shariah law however, shuns acts that resemble Jews and Christians. Thus it is reported in Mishkaat that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “Fast on the day of Ashura and oppose the Jews regarding it. Thus fast on the day before it and on the day after.” (Taken from The Significance of Muharram by Rafique Valli, lecturer at the Islamic University for Girls, Johannesburg)
All Sunni Muslims believe that the fast on Ashura is optional. The Ashura is commemorated for the following occasions which may have happened on the 10th Day of the Muharram:
· God had mercy on Adam
· The deliverance of Noah from the flood
· Abraham was saved from Nimrod’s fire
· Jacob’s blindness was healed after Joseph’s shirt was brought to him on this day (Quran)
· Job was healed from his illness
· The Israelites were saved from Pharaoh’s army.
· Jesus was brought up to heaven after attempts by the Romans to capture and crucify him failed.
· Martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
All the above incidents are not confirmed to have taken place on Ashura in the Koran, nor by any strong Hadith. Some of these have been reported in the weaker Hadith, but are nevertheless regarded possible by majority of the Sunni Muslims. The most authentic is the 5th incident where God saved Moses and the Israelites from Pharaoh. This is the reason why many Muslims fast on the 10th of Muharram.
Today, Sunnis regard fasting during Ashura as recommended, though not obligatory, having been superseded by the Ramadan fast.
