Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
In the Mubaarak Hadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The most virtuous of fasts, after the fasts of the month of Ramadhaan, are the fasts in the month of Allah Ta’ala which you call Muharram.” (Lataa’if-ul-Ma’aarif pg. 33)
The Muhadditheen explain that from this Hadith, we understand that the most virtuous month to fast after the month of Ramadhaan is the month of Muharram. Hence, one should try to fast during this month in order to acquire the immense rewards of fasting and reap the great blessings of this blessed month.
In regard to the immense reward for fasting in Muharram, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who fasts during the month of Muharram, then for each day that he fasts, he will receive the reward of fasting for an entire month.” (Targheeb #1529)
The virtue for Fasting on the day of Aashura
In the month of Muharram, the most auspicious day is the 10th which is known as the Day of Aashura. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) himself fasted on this day and exhorted the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to observe this fast as well.
The reward for fasting on the Day of Aashura is that one’s minor sins of the previous year will be forgiven.
Hazrat Abu Qataadah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was asked regarding (the virtue of) fasting on the Day of Aashura. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “It (fasting on the Day of Aashura) wipes out the sins of the past year.” (Saheeh Muslim #1162)
After Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) encouraged the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to fast on the Day of Aashura, they ensured that they upheld this Sunnah and also encouraged their children to fast on this auspicious day.
The extent of enthusiasm and passion with which the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) upheld this Mubaarak Sunnah could perhaps be gauged from the following Hadith:
Hazrat Rubayyi’ (radhiyallahu ‘anha) reports, “We (the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum)) would observe the fast of Aashura and would also encourage our children to observe this fast. We would make toys out of wool for our children, and if any child felt hungry during the fast and wept for food, we would give them these toys to occupy them until the time of iftaar.” (Saheeh Muslim #1136)
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) Commanding the Ummah to Oppose the Ways of the Jews
Prior to his demise, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) commanded the ummah to fast an extra day together with the Day of Aashura in order to oppose the Jews who would only fast on the Day of Aashura.
Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Observe the fast of Aashura and oppose the Jews by also fasting a day before or after i.e. the 9th and 10th or 10th and 11th of Muharram.” (As-Sunan-ul-Kubra lil-Bayhaqi #8406 & Talkhees-ul-Habeer #931)
Virtue of Spending on One’s Family on the Day of Aashura
Apart from the virtue of fasting on the Day of Aashura, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has also encouraged that one should be more generous towards his family and should spend upon them on this auspicious day.
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Whoever spends freely upon his family on the day of Aashura, Allah Ta’ala will bless him with abundant sustenance for an entire year.” (Targheeb #1536)
