10th Day of Muharram (Ashura)

“Indeed, the number of months ordained by God is twelve—in God’s Record since the day He created the heavens and the earth—of which four are sacred*...” (Qur’an 9:36) *These months are Muharram, Rajab, Dhul-Qa`dah, and Dhul-Hijjah.

10th Day of Muharram (Ashura)

The 10th day of Muharram, the day of Ashura, will be next Wednesday, August 18th in accordance with the Fiqh Council of North America.

Muslims during the days of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) rejoiced on the day they learned from their Jewish neighbors about the significance of this day and their reasons to commemorate it, and started the tradition of fasting it every year. When the Prophet arrived in Madinah in 622 CE, he found that the Jews there fasted on Muharram 10 and asked them the reason for their fasting on this day. They said, "This is a blessed day. On this day God saved the Children of Israel from their enemy (in Egypt) and so Prophet Musa (Moses) fasted on this day giving thanks to God." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “We are closer to Musa than you are." He fasted on that day and commanded Muslims to fast on this day. (Al-Bukhari)

Many decades later, fifty years after the death of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, a very sad and tragic incident occurred on the same Day of Ashura, which has come to be known in history books as the “Karbala Massacre”. Dozens of members of the family of Prophet Muhammad including his beloved grandson, Al-Husayn RA, were massacred. Their valiant courage amidst injustice is exemplary for all times and places. It reminds us to rededicate ourselves to the principles of sacrificing for the truth and standing up against oppression.

While these two occasions are commemorated differently among Muslims in present times, there is no doubt that every Muslim who claims to follow Prophet Muhammad PBUH and his teachings, will always love Prophet Moses PBUH, and rejoice his victory over Pharaoh, even if he or she doesn’t fast on this day. At the same time, every Muslim dearly loves Al-Husayn RA and will always be sad about the story of his killing, whether he or she participates in anniversary commemorations or not.

May God bestow his peace and blessings upon Prophet Moses, all the previous Prophets, including our beloved Prophet Muhammad and his family and grant us their companionship in the hereafter.