'Ashura' Fasting and the New Year of Hijrah

Q 1. What is the significance of fasting on the Day of Ashura’ i.e. the 10th day of Muharram? Is it to remember the martyrdom of Imam Husain -may Allah be pleased with him?

A 1. The ‘Ashura’ fast is not to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Husain - may Allah be pleased with him. We deeply respect Imam Husain’s shahadah. We honor his glorious act of sacrifice for the sake of Islam. He gave us a great example of truth, courage and piety. But we also feel pain and grief in our hearts because some hypocrites in the name of Islam killed him. They fought and killed Allah’s messenger’s beloved and blessed grandson and his family. This was the most heinous and shameful crime that was committed for the sake of political power. This tragic event took place in the year 61 AH or 680 CE. However, the tradition of ‘Ashura’ fasting is very ancient and goes back to a long time before Imam Husian.

It is reported in the Sahih of Imam Bukhari and other authentic collections of Hadith that the Prophet -peace be upon him- and the Sahabah used to fast on the 10th day of Muharram while they were in Makkah (before the Hijrah).

It was a day on which people of Makkah used to change the covering (Kiswah or Ghilaf) of the Ka’bah. The Quraish also used to fast on this day. (al-Bukhari, Hadith 1489 and 1760). After the Hijrah when the Prophet -peace be upon him- came to Madinah, he found that the Jews of Madinah also used to observe this day with fasting. The Prophet asked them the reason of their fasting on this day. They said, “This is a blessed day. On this day Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy (in Egypt) and so Prophet Moses fasted on this day giving thanks to Allah.” The Prophet -peace be upon him- said, “We are closer to Moses than you are.” He fasted on that day and commanded Muslims to fast on this day. (al-Bukhari, Hadith 1865). In another report it is mentioned that Jews of Madinah used to celebrate this day as an Eid. The Prophet -peace be upon him- told the Sahabah to fast instead. (al-Bukhari, Hadith 1866)

‘Ashura’ fasting was obligatory (fard) in the beginning. When in the second year of Hijrah (624 CE) Allah’s command came that Muslims should fast the whole month of Ramadan, then the Prophet -peace be upon him- sent someone to announce that now the Ashura’ fast is voluntary (nafl). Whosoever wishes to fast, may fast and whosoever does not want to fast, there will be no blame on him/her. Imam Tirmidhi mentions that Ibn ‘Abbas -may Allah be pleased with him- used to say that we should fast on two days: the 9th and 10th of Muharram to distinguish ourselves from the Jewish community. (al-Tirmidhi, Hadith no. 686). Ibn ‘Abbas also reported that the Prophet -peace be upon him- said, “If I live next year I shall also fast on the 9th day.” (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Hadith 2002).

There is a great reward in the ‘Ashura’ fast. There are many Ahadith that mention its blessings and virtues. It is good to fast on this day, although it is not obligatory.

To summarize we can say:

  1. ‘Ashura’ fasting was an ancient tradition in Makkah.
  2. It was also found among the Jews of Madinah
  3. First the Prophet commanded the Sahabah to fast on this day
  4. Later when Ramadan fasts became obligatory, ‘Ashura fast was made optional.
  5. Now it is optional but it is recommended to fast on the 9th and 10th days of Muharram.

Q 2. The New Year of Hijrah will be starting very soon. What is the proper way of celebrating the Islamic New Year?

A 2. We are approaching the New Year of Hijrah, the year 1421. InshaAllah, it is expected to begin on Thursday, April 6, 2000. In Islam there is no special religious ceremony to mark the New Year. However, since our religious calendar is the Hijri calendar, it is good to remind ourselves about the meaning and significance of Hijrah at this time. We should talk about Prophet’s Hijrah from Makkah to Madinah that took place in the year 622 CE. We should talk about its meaning and significance and we should also talk about the general concept of Hijrah in Islam.

The word Hijrah is often translated as “exile, exodus, flight or migration”. Its meaning is, however, much more dynamic and active. It means “to leave, to move, to shun and quit”. It is especially used for an intentional transfer of residence, but in the Qur’an it is also used to mean leaving a wrong condition and moving to a better condition, even though it may involve some difficulty. Allah says:

But Lut had faith in him (Abraham): he said: “I shall move towards my Lord: for He is Exalted in Might, and Wise. (al-’Ankabut 29:26)

Faith (Iman) requires acceptance of Allah and the negation of falsehood. It means a total and radical departure to a new way for the individual and for the community. Faith is:

A departure from all kinds of shirk (belief in many gods) to Tawhid

(declaration of the Oneness of Allah)

A departure from ignorance and superstition to knowledge and light

A departure from enslavement to others to the service of Allah

A departure from sin and corruption to virtues and righteousness

A departure from division and strife to harmony and unity

A departure from the state of wandering and bewilderment to guidance and straight path

A departure from Allah’ anger to His acceptance and pleasure

A departure from the Hellfire to Salvation in the Eternal Life.

Hijrah is a principle that is integral to Islam. It transforms a Mu’min from a mere believer to a Mujahid, the one who struggles for his faith. It is for this reason that the Qur’an has used in many places Iman, Hijrah and Jihad together:

Those who believed and those who migrated and struggled in the path of Allah, they have the hope of the Mercy of Allah: and Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful. (al-Baqarah 2:218) Those who believe, and migrate, and struggle in the cause of Allah, as well as those who give (them) asylum and aid, these are (all) truly the Believers: for them is the forgiveness of sins and a provision most generous. (al-Anfal 8:74)

Those who believe, and migrate and strive in Allah’s cause, with their goods and their persons, have the highest rank in the sight of Allah: they are indeed the successful people. 21-Their Lord does give them glad tidings of a Mercy from Himself, of His good pleasure, and of Gardens for them, wherein are delights that endure: 22-They will dwell therein forever. Verily in Allah’s presence is a reward, the greatest (of all). (al-Tawbah 9:20-22)Muslims chose Hijrah as the focal point to reckon their chronology. In physical terms Hijrah was a journey between two cities about 300 miles apart, but in its grand significance it marked the beginning of an era, a civilization, a culture and a history for the whole mankind. Islam progressed not only from the physical Hijrah, but because Muslims took Hijrah seriously in all its aspects and dimensions.

Those who truly followed the path of Hijrah they were:

  1. The people of Muwakhat: They became brothers and sisters to each other. The vanguard (of Islam), the first of those who forsook (their homes) and of those who gave them aid, and (also) those who follow them in (all) good deeds, well-pleased is Allah with them, as are they with Him: for them He has prepared Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever: that is the supreme Felicity. (al-Tawbah 9:100)
  2. The people who were willing to endure hardship for the cause of truth: Allah turned with favor to the Prophet, the Muhajirs, and the Ansar, who followed Him in a time of distress, after that the hearts of a part of them had nearly swerved (from duty); but He turned to them (also): for He is unto them Most Kind, Most Merciful. (al-Tawbah 9:117)
  3. Struggled to establish Islam: They established Masajid, Islamic schools and other institutions. They defended their faith. They worked hard to establish Islam in all aspects of their lives and everywhere they went. We should use this occasion to remind us about the Hijrah that is required from all of us now and at all times.