The Lesson of Aashura – The Orchards of Love – Part Seventy

Prior to migrating to Madinah Munawwarah, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would observe the fast of Aashura. After coming to Madinah Munawwarah, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) continued to keep the fast of Aashura. Hence, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) would fast only on the Day of Aashura – the 10^th of Muharram.

However, prior to his demise, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) commanded the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to fast an extra day in order to oppose the Jews.

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 9^th and 10^th or 10^th and 11^th of Muharram.” (Sunan Kubra lil-Bayhaqi #8406 & Talkhees-ul-Habeer #931)

Hence, together with the fast of Aashura being a means of reaping immense virtues, it also emphasises and teaches an important lesson. This is the lesson of firmly maintaining one’s Islamic identity at all times and completely refraining from imitating the kuffaar (disbelievers, Jews and Christians) in their culture.

It is for this reason that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) instructed his Ummah to fast for two days (i.e. the 9^th and 10^th or 10^th and 11^th) in order to oppose the Jews.

Emulating the Ways of the Kuffaar

When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) expressed such dislike for his Ummah to resemble the Jews in the aspect of fasting (which is an ibaadah), then one can well imagine how much more Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would dislike his Ummah emulating the disbelievers in their culture, dressing and other aspects of their lives!

“Emulating the ways of the kuffaar”, which is known as ‘tashabbuh’, is totally forbidden in Islam as it reveals that one is identifying with the ways and culture of the enemies of Islam and is showing his attachment towards it. Through doing so, one is openly opposing the Mubaarak way of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Emulating the kuffaar is so abhorred in Islam that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has declared:

 “The one who imitates a people will be counted from amongst them.” (Sunan Abu Dawood #4033)

In this world, no person will choose to resemble the one who is his enemy. Rather, all people prefer to resemble those whom they love. Hence, a true lover and follower of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) will choose and prefer to resemble and imitate his beloved. He will love to identify with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), not with those who are the enemies of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Muslims.