Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and Allah has called it His sacred month. Within it, the 10th day — Ashura — carries a reward that the Prophet ﷺ described as expiation of the sins of the entire previous year. It is one of the most beloved voluntary fasts in Islam.

The Story Behind Ashura

When the Prophet ﷺ arrived in Madinah, he found the Jews fasting on the 10th of Muharram. He asked why, and they said: 'This is a great day — Allah saved Musa (Moses) and his people and drowned Pharaoh, and Musa fasted out of gratitude.' The Prophet ﷺ said: 'We have more right to Musa than you,' and he fasted that day and commanded fasting it. (Bukhari, Muslim)

This connection to the salvation of the Children of Israel is why Ashura carries such weight. It is not merely a commemoration but an act of gratitude to Allah — the same gratitude that Musa (AS) expressed — and a believer's acknowledgement that Allah is the One who saves.

The Reward of Fasting Ashura

The Prophet ﷺ was asked about fasting on the Day of Ashura, and he said: 'It expiates the sins of the previous year.'

Muslim

Scholars explain that this expiation applies to minor sins. Major sins require sincere repentance (tawbah). Even so, the reward is extraordinary: an entire year of minor shortcomings wiped clean through a single day of fasting.

Fasting the 9th as Well (Tasu'a)

Shortly before his death, the Prophet ﷺ said: 'If I live until next year, I will certainly fast the 9th as well.' (Muslim) Scholars understood this as distinguishing Muslim practice from the Jewish fast of only the 10th. Fasting both the 9th and 10th of Muharram is therefore the most complete way to observe Ashura.

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Fast the 9th and 10th
The Prophet ﷺ intended to add the 9th (Tasu'a) to differ from the People of the Book. Fasting both days is the strongest Sunnah.
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Or the 10th and 11th
If you cannot confirm the 9th, some scholars also mention fasting the 10th and 11th. The main fast is the 10th of Muharram.
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Expiation of one year
Fasting Ashura expiates the minor sins of the previous year, making it one of the most rewarding voluntary fasts of the entire year.
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Gratitude to Allah
Like Musa (AS), we fast as an act of shukr — gratitude to Allah for His mercy and the salvation He grants believers.

How to Fast Ashura

  1. Make your intention the night before or early morning before dawn to fast the 10th of Muharram (Ashura).
  2. Observe the fast from the Fajr call to prayer until sunset, as with any voluntary fast.
  3. Add the 9th of Muharram (the day before) when possible, following the Prophet's ﷺ expressed intention.
  4. Spend the day in remembrance, gratitude, and optional acts of worship.

If you enjoy voluntary fasting and want to build a regular habit, see our guide to fasting Mondays and Thursdays, the weekly Sunnah the Prophet ﷺ kept consistently.

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