Ashura 2021 - 9th and 10th of Muharram 2021
Ashura 2021 - 9th and 10th of Muharram 2021
When is Ashura 2021
Day of Ashura or 10 Muharram 2021 is expected
to take place on the 17th and 18th of August 2021 (9th and 10th Muharram
accordingly). However, exact date of Ashura 2021 depends on your location and
sighting of the Moon of Muharram 1443.
The Month of Muharram
Muharram is not only the 1st month
of Islamic Calendar but also called ‘The month of Allah’ and Optional (Nafil) fasting during this month is considered the most rewarding after the month of Ramadan.
This is evident from the following Sahih Hadith:
"‘The Messenger of Allah
(S.A.W.) said: “The best fasting
after the month of Ramadan is the month of Allah, Al-Muharram.”’
(An-Nasai: 1613)
Also, Muharram is one of the four sanctified
months of the year. As Allah Says in Quran:
“Indeed, the number of months
with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He
created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred.”
The four months mentioned in the Ayah are the
months of Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. This is evident from the
words of Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) on the occasion of his last Hajj sermon:
“The year is of twelve
months, out of which four months are sacred: Three are in succession Dhul-Qa'
da, Dhul-Hijja and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab.”
This is the reason that Muharram is one of the sacred months and these words of our Prophet (S.A.W.) confirm its sanctity.
Learn more about “The month of Muharram”
Day of Ashura
Ashura is observed on the 10th day
of Muharram and it is the most sacred day among all its days.
Some other people attribute the sanctity of this day to the martyrdom of Husain Ibn Ali (R.A.) but the sacredness of 'The day of Ashura' cannot be ascribed to this event only as the sanctity of this day was established during the days of the Prophet (S.A.W.), much earlier than the birth of Husain Ibn Ali (R.A.). Martyrdom of Husain Ibn Ali (R.A.) is one of the most tragic episodes of our history and it is one of the merits of Husain (R.A.) this sad event in Karbala took place on the day of Ashura as Allah chooses important days for important decisions.
Learn more about the life
of “Hussain
Ibn Ali (R.A.)”
Ashura Fasting
The practice of fasting on Ashura was known even before the rise of Islam. When the Prophet (S.A.W.) arrived in Madinah at the time of migration, the Jews were observing the fast on 'Ashura' and they said:
"This is the day when Moses became
victorious over Pharaoh,"
On that, the Prophet (S.A.W.)
said to his companions (R.A.):
"You (Muslims) have more right to
celebrate Moses' victory than they have, so observe the fast on this day."
When different Companions (R.A.) told Prophet
(S.A.W.) that fasting on the day of Ashura is glorified among Jews and
Christians, then Prophet (S.A.W.) encouraged them by saying:
“If I live until next year, I
will fast the ninth day (of Muharram) too.”
Unfortunately, Prophet (S.A.W.) did not
live to see the next year. Therefore, Muslims consider the 9th and 10th of
Muharram as significant days in the Islamic calendar and observe fast on these
days. [Sahih Muslim: 1134 (a)]
In the light of the Hadith, it is more
advisable but not mandatory that the fast of 10th of Muharram should
be attached with another fast preferably on 9th of Muharram because Prophet
Mohammad (S.A.W.) wanted to distinguish the Islamic way of fasting from that of
Jews as they only fast on the 10th of Muharram. However, most
scholars agree that the fast of Ashura should be observed with fasting on the 9th or 11th of Muharram.
Earlier on, it was obligatory to fast on the
10th of Muharram. However later, fasting was made obligatory in Ramadan only
and fasting on 10th Muharram was made optional. As narrated by Ayesha (R.A.)
that Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
“Whoever wishes to fast (on
the day of ‘Ashura’) may do so; and whoever wishes to leave it can do so.”
However, Prophet (S.A.W.) used to fast on the day
of Ashura even after the fasting in Ramadan was made obligatory.
When Ibn Abbas (R.A.) was asked about observing
of fast on the day of Ashura, whereupon he said:
“I do not know Allah's
Messenger (S.A.W.) singling out any day's fast
and considering it more excellent than another, except this day (the day of
Ashura) and this month, meaning the month of Ramadan.”
[Sahih Muslim: 1132 (a)]
So fasting on the day of ’Ashura' is a
confirmed Sunnah of the Holy Prophet and makes one entitled to a great reward
from Allah.
According to Sahih Hadith, one of the many
blessings of Allah for a person who observe fast on ‘Day of Ashura’ is that his /
her sins of the past year will be forgiven.
Narrated from Abu Qatada (R.A.) that the Prophet
(S.A.W.) said:
“Fasting the day of ‘Ashura’,
I hope, will expiate for the sins of the previous year.”
The Hadith clearly mentions the word of Prophet (S.A.W) as “I hope” which means that the person should observe the fast wholeheartedly for Allah only and seek reward from Allah only and, Inshallah, Allah almighty will reward that person by forgiving his sins that he committed in the previous year.
Misconceptions about Ashura
Above discussion undoubtedly shows the importance and virtues of the day of Ashura as it is a day of Allah’s blessings and it is confirmed Sunnah to observe fast on this day. However, there are some misconceptions about the day of Ashura that have managed to find their way into the minds of some Muslims. Some very common misconceptions and superstitions are:
1- Prophet
Adam (A.S.) was
created by Allah on this day.
2- Prophet
Ibrahim (A.S.) was
born on 10th of Muharram.
3- Prophet Adam’s
(A.S.) repentance was accepted by Allah on this day.
4- Day of
Judgement will
take place on Friday, 10th of Muharram.
5- Whoever takes bath on
10th of Muharram will never get ill.
6- One who puts kohl in
his eyes on this day will not suffer from any eye disease.
7- Some people say
that it is Sunnah to prepare a particular type of meal on this particular day
and then distribute it.
8-
Many Muslims don’t get married (Nikkah) during the month of Muharram as they
think that it is an unlucky month.
Nothing has been reported in any Sahih
Hadith from the Prophet (S.A.W.) or from his Companions
(R.A.) about
any of the above-mentioned incidents. Even, none of the four Imams encouraged
or recommended such things. Not even a single reliable Islamic Scholars has narrated anything like this. So all these are just myths and nothing to do with
Islam or Shariah. So all these things should be avoided and should not be
followed by any Muslim.
In
addition to that, according to Sahih Muslim: 1163 (a) and Tirmidhi: 438, Muharram is Allah’s month. Then
how can Allah’s month be evil and unlucky for His servants? So keep
yourself away from these falsehoods and try to keep yourself on the right path, on
the path of our beloved Prophet (S.A.W.) and his Companions (R.A.).
Learn more about the “Misconceptions about Muharram”
Conclusion
As
mentioned above, fasting on the day of Ashura is confirmed Sunnah of our
beloved Prophet (S.A.W.) and one should also not forget that Muharram is Allah’s
month.
By
observing fast on the Day of Ashura and doing good deeds, we will be reviving
one of our Prophet’s (S.A.W) Sunnah and whoever revives Sunnah of Prophet
(S.A.W.), he / she will be with our beloved Prophet (S.A.W.) in paradise
according to the following Hadith, narrated by Anas bin Malik (R.A.) that
Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said:
“Whoever revives my Sunnah then he has loved
me. And whoever loved me, he shall be with me in Paradise.'"
Also
strengthen your relationship with Allah through regular Dhikr and Duas and by helping others Muslims. And Allah rewards every good deed.
May
Allah help us in strengthening our Imaan and also accept good deeds of all
Muslims.
AMEEN
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IslamicFinder’s page about “Muharram 2021”
Learn more about "Why Fast on Ashura"
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