What dates should you fast in the month of Ashura? How is Ashura Day celebrated? Origin of the name of the day Ashura

The day of Ashura, blessed for devout Muslims, falls on the 10th day of the month of Muharram according to the Hijri calendar. It does not have a fixed date in the Gregorian style; in 2018 it fell on September 20. It is one of the most important holidays in Islam and has its own traditions and deep historical roots. On this day it is customary to fast, do good, remember the prophets of Allah's messengers and other important events, up to the creation of the world.

Pleasant deeds

Eid on the day of Ashura is desirable, but not obligatory. Compliance is rewarded with forgiveness of sins for the past year. Whether to take advantage of this opportunity or to fast only during Ramadan is up to each Muslim to decide for himself.

Visiting the sick, helping the weak and any good deeds are welcome. Generosity towards one's family is especially revered. Distributing sadaqa to family and friends means ensuring prosperity by the mercy of Allah for the coming years.

It is advisable to spend part of the day in worship of the Almighty. Muslims visit mosques, offer collective prayers, and perform Tahajur prayer. This is a special time when duas are accepted, sins are forgiven, and the distance between Allah and his children is reduced.

The deep meaning of the holiday

The word "ashara" is translated from Arabic as "ten". From this follows the simplest explanation of the name of the holiday - the tenth day of the month of Muharram. But in Islam there are two versions of a deeper concept of the true meaning of the great event.

Significant Milestones

It was on the day of Ashura that the creation of the earth, heavens and seas, angels and the son of God - the first man - took place. Later, Adam's repentance was accepted by Allah. The same date is considered the day of the Last Judgment in the future.

A number of important events related to the great holiday and the names of the prophets were noted in the history of Islam:

• saving Nuh from the waters of the great flood;
• rescue of Yunus from the belly of the fish;
• the ascension of Isa and Idris to heaven;
• Ayub's healing from a serious illness;
• meeting Yakub with his son;
• the emergence of Suleiman as king;
• Yusuf's release from prison;
• saving Musa from persecution by Pharaoh.

It is also believed that on this day the prophet Ibrahim received the command of Allah to sacrifice his own son Ismail and was given the highest mercy in the form of a sacrificial ram in return.

Blessed days and months

According to theological scholars, the day of Ashura is so named because Allah bestowed ten honors on the followers and companions of the Prophet Muhammad in the form of special months, days and nights. Their veneration is considered obligatory; rewards for good deeds increase many times over compared to other times.

Among them:

• month of Rajab - glorifies the greatness of Muhammad's community compared to others;
• month of Shaaban - symbolizes the importance of the Messenger over other prophets;
• month of Ramadan - the power of cleansing fasting;
• 10 days of the month of Muharram are the best time to turn to Allah;
• night of Laylat al-Qadr - one-time worship equivalent to thousands of months;
• Eid al-Fitr - retribution;
• the day of Arafah is a fast that forgives sins for 2 years;
• Kurban Bayram - the moment of approaching God;
• Day of Ashura - fasting atones for sins for the year;
• Friday is the main day of the week.

On the day of Ashura, the veil on the greatest Islamic shrine is changed. The holiday is celebrated not only by Muslims, but also by followers of other religions, for example, Jews. This once again confirms the unity of the roots and the power of the Almighty.

Blessed Ashura and peace to your home!

The Day of Ashura has absorbed all the complexity and unusualness of the Muslim religious denomination. It does not refer to holidays, but is highly revered, because it is dedicated to several events at once.

What date will Day of Ashura be in 2017?

Ashura Day is celebrated on the tenth day of the first month of the lunar Islamic calendar Muharram, which in 2017 falls on October 1st. It is believed that it was on this day that Allah created the heavens, angels, earth and the first man - Adam, who lived in paradise, forgiven for all his sins. In addition, Muslims believe that the end of the world (doomsday) will take place in the future on this date.

Fasting on the Day of Ashura

Sunnis believe that at a certain period in his life, the Prophet Muhammad traveled from Mecca to Medina, where he met with local residents. It was at the moment of his arrival in this city that they held a fast that was considered obligatory for the residents of these places. Muhammad learned that the reason for this fast was God-fearing love for Allah. The Prophet began to fast with the residents of Medina.

Previously, fasting on this date was considered obligatory for all Muslims. But over time, after the adoption of obligatory fasting, fasting for this month was made only desirable. It is adhered to only by the most devoted followers of Allah or by those who, for some reason, were unable to fast for Ramadan.

How long does the fast last?

The fast on the day of Ashura lasts two to three days. It can be followed on the 9th and 10th day of the month of Muharram, or on the 10th and 11th or from the 9th to the 11th of this month.

Unlike Sunnis, Shiites do not consider fasting on the day of Ashura obligatory. For them, this date is the date of memory of the deceased Imam Hussein, the great-grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. Shiites begin preparing for the Day of Remembrance of Imam Hussein ten days in advance. During this period, they stage dramatic performances telling about the religious feat of al-Hussein and his followers. They prepare tazias - small tombs symbolizing the tomb of this Muslim martyr, and carry them through the streets next to a specially selected horse, similar to the one that al-Hussein once had.

Ashura Day is one of the most significant days of the year for Muslims.(10th day of the month of Muharram, in 2019 falls on September 9th - website note). Its peculiarity is indicated by the fact that many important events in the history of Islam fall on this date in the calendar.

Note that Ashura Day is one of those days that are especially revered not only by Muslims, but also by adherents of other religions, in particular, Jews. The fact is that this particular day was marked by the salvation of the Messenger of the Almighty Musa (Moses, a.s.) and his people from the army of the Egyptian pharaoh.

In addition, Meccan polytheists also treated this day with special respect. On the Day of Ashura, the Quraysh fasted and changed the fabric covering the Kaaba, which at that time was the largest pagan center and place of pilgrimage for Arab pagans from all over Arabia.

The wife of the Grace of the Worlds of Muhammad (s.g.w.) - Aisha bint Abu Bakr (r.a.) told that the Quraish observed fasting in Ashura during the era of jahiliyya, i.e. pre-Islamic period" (Bukhari).

After the beginning of the prophetic mission, the Messenger of the Almighty (s.g.v.) ordered Ashura even before the Creator made it obligatory for believers to fast during Ramadan. Moreover, such fasting was initially mandatory for Muslims, and at the same time, believers had the right to choose - to fast or to feed those in need in return. However, as soon as fasting in Ramadan became obligatory, the Day of Ashura became voluntary (but still desirable).

What to do on Ashura Day

As already mentioned, first of all, it is advisable for Muslims to fast. In the biography of the Messenger of the Lord of the Worlds (s.g.v.) there is a story of how, upon his arrival in Medina, he learned that the Jews were fasting. Muhammad (s.w.) asked them why they were doing this and, having learned that they were fasting as a sign of gratitude to the Creator for saving the children of Israel, as Prophet Musa (a.s.) did, he exclaimed: “We, Muslims are closer to Prophet Musa than you, and we are more worthy of fasting on this day” (Muslim).

From that moment on, Muslims began to keep prayers on the Day of Ashura, but the Final Messenger of God (s.g.v.) ordered to do this for two days. The fact is that the Prophet Muhammad (s.w.w.) called on believers to avoid assimilating the people of the Book whenever possible, and Ashura was no exception in this regard. Thus, the faithful are recommended to fast either on the 9th and 10th of the month of Muharram, or on the 10th and 11th. If the servant of Allah observes the fast only on the Day of Ashura, then there is nothing sinful in this, and a Muslim can resort to this.

Ashura among Shiites

Shia Muslims spend this day somewhat differently. (see photo). The fact is that on the 10th of the month of Muharram, in addition to the salvation of the sons of Israel, the date of the martyrdom in the battle of Karbala of the grandson of the Messenger of Allah (s.w.) - Hussein ibn Ali, who was especially revered and considered one of the righteous imams, also occurred.

After the death of the fourth righteous caliph Ali ibn Abu Talib, Muawiyah ibn Abu Sufyan came to power in the Arab Caliphate, who became the founder of the Umayyad dynasty. Not everyone agreed with the policy of the new dynasty, since, according to Shiite sources, their actions were at odds with the prescriptions of Islam. The opposition of that time was consolidated around the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) - Hussein, who enjoyed great authority at that time. These disagreements led to a civil war, in which the government forces of Caliph Yazid, the son of Muawiyah, clashed with the opposition, led by Hussein ibn Ali. In 680 Gregorian calendar, the Battle of Karbala took place, in which the army of Imam Hussein was defeated and he himself was killed.

In memory of the dramatic events of those years, Shiites hold mourning events in the first ten days of Muharram, culminating on the Day of Ashura. In Shiite mosques, thematic sermons dedicated to Ashura are read, people dress in black clothes and beat themselves on the chest with their fists, and sometimes torture themselves with knives or blows of chains until they bleed, thereby symbolizing their readiness to die for the ideals of Islam. (Note that most Shiite theologians still call the practice of self-torture forbidden).

Virtues of Ashura Day

1. Uraza on this day promotes the forgiveness of sins

The Messenger of Allah (saw) instructed: “Whoever fasts on Ashura, the sins committed during the past year are forgiven” (Muslim).

2. Fasting on this day = fulfilling the Sunnah of the Prophet (s.a.w.)

From hadiths it is known that God’s Messenger (s.g.v.) kept the fast on the Day of Ashura with special zeal, similar to fasting in Ramadan.

Note from the website editor: This year, the day of Ashura falls on September 9th (Monday). This means that it is advisable to fast on September 8th and 9th or September 9th and 10th.

Although the entire month of Muharram is a holy month, however, the 10th day of this month is the most sacred of all its days. This day is called Ashura. According to the companion Ibn Abbas (radiallahu anhu), the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) when moving to Medina, discovered that the Medina Jews were fasting on the 10th of Muharram. They said that this was the day when Prophet Musa (alayhis salaam) and his followers miraculously crossed the Red Sea, and Pharaoh was drowned in its waters. Hearing this from the Jews, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“We are closer connected with Musa (alaihis salaam) than you,” and ordered Muslims to fast on the day of Ashura. (Abu Daoud)

It is also reported in a number of authentic hadiths that in the beginning, fasting on the day of Ashura was obligatory for Muslims. Later, fasting during Ramadan was made compulsory and fasting on the day of Ashura was made voluntary. Sayyidina Aisha (radiallahu anha) said:

“When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) moved to Medina, he fasted on the day of Ashura and ordered people to fast on this day. But when fasting in Ramadan was made compulsory, the obligation of fasting became limited to Ramadan, and the obligation of fasting on the day of Ashura was abolished. Whoever wishes should fast on this day, and whoever wishes otherwise can leave the fast.” (Sunan Abu Dawud)

However, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) fasted on the day of Ashura even after fasting in Ramadan was made compulsory. It was narrated by Abdullah ibn Musa (radiallahu anhu) that the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) preferred fasting on the day of Ashura to fasting on other days and preferred fasting in the month of Ramadan to fasting on the day of Ashura. (Bukhari and Muslim)

In a word, based on a number of reliable hadiths, it is established that fasting on the day of Ashura is the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) and by observing this fast a person deserves a great reward.

According to another hadith, it is more desirable that fasting on the day of Ashura be complemented by fasting on the previous or following day. This means that one should fast for two days: the 9th and 10th of Muharram, or the 10th and 11th of Muharram. The reason for additional fasting as mentioned by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is that the Jews fasted only on the day of Ashura and the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) wanted to highlight the Muslim way of fasting over the Jewish one. Therefore, he advised Muslims to add another day of fasting to the fast on the day of Ashura.

Some hadiths point to another feature of the day of Ashura. According to these hadiths, on this day you should be more generous to your family, providing them with more food than on other days.

According to the science of hadith, these hadiths are not very reliable, but some scholars - such as Bayhaqi and Ibn Hibban - accepted them as trustworthy.

What is stated above is all that is supported by reliable sources about the day of Ashura.

Ashura is the most important holiday in the Shia Muslim calendar. It is celebrated on the 10th day of the month of Muharram, the first month in the Muslim calendar. For Shiites, who make up about 15 percent of all Muslims in the world, it is the biggest holiday of the year. However, for the rest of the world, it is most often associated with bloody processions, during which its participants flagellate themselves, striking with chains with sharp blades at the end, daggers and sabers. The bloody tradition of the Ashura holiday through the lens of photographers.

16 PHOTOS

1. Procession of Shiites in India. (Photo: THAIER AL-SUDANI / REUTERS)

The Ashura holiday is a day of remembrance of the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who died in 680 during the Battle of Karbala (in central Iraq) with the troops of Caliph Yazid from the Umayyad dynasty. The grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, Hussein ibn Ali, is revered by Shiites as the third imam and their spiritual ancestor. Shiites live primarily in Iraq, Iran and Bahrain, and are a minority in countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

2. The bloody tradition of the Ashura holiday in Kabul. (Photo: OMAR SOBHANI/REUTERS).

For Muslims, Ashura is a day of mourning. They mourn the martyrdom of Hussein's heroic death in the name of goodness and justice. And although this is a Shiite holiday, Tatar Sunnis also take part in it.

3. A man cuts the skin of a child as a sign of grief during a procession in Mumbai, the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. (Photo: DANISH SIDDIQUI/REUTERS)

On this day, traditional processions of men take place, who, as a sign of mourning for Hussein, mutilate their bodies with whips, knives, machetes and beat their chests. This is how they express their grief and solidarity with the deceased grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

4. Women also take part in the Ashura holiday; they do not participate in bloody processions, and on this day they wear black clothes without decorations as a sign of grief. (Photo: OMAR SOBHANI/REUTERS).
5. Interestingly, self-flagellation and self-mutilation are incompatible with the principles of Islam. Shia spiritual leaders issue fatwas (a decision on an issue based on Islamic principles) against this tradition. (Photo: OMAR SOBHANI/REUTERS).
6. Bloody procession in Kabul. (Photo: OMAR SOBHANI/REUTERS).

However, not everywhere the Ashura holiday is associated with bloody rituals. For example, there are also known customs of publicly reading excerpts from the 16th-century work “The Garden of Martyrs,” which describes the tragic circumstances of the death of the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

7. Ashura is the biggest holiday in the Shiite Muslim calendar. During processions, participants are often attacked by Sunni rebels, so such events are now held with local police cordons. (Photo: OMAR SOBHANI/REUTERS).
8. Self-flagellation as a sign of mourning for the deceased Hussein ibn Ali. (Photo: OMAR SOBHANI/REUTERS).
9. One of the participants in the bloody procession in Kabul. (Photo: OMAR SOBHANI/REUTERS).
10. Lebanese Shiites, supporters of Hezbollah, listen to the story of the life and death of Imam Hussein ibn Ali during the Ashura holiday in Beirut. (Photo: HUSSEIN MALLA/AP)
11. Self-flagellation of Shiites in Pakistan. (Photo: PAP/EPA).
12. The bloody tradition of the Ashura holiday in Pakistan. (Photo: PAP/EPA).
13. The bloody custom should remind Shiites of the heroic and martyrdom of the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. (Photo: PAP/EPA).