Muharram is one of the four sacred months in the Islamic calendar. These months are considered highly significant and are marked by increased spiritual activities and acts of worship. The other three sacred months are Dhu al-Qi’dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, and Rajab.
Muharram, is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and one of the four sacred months where every deed—both virtuous and otherwise—carries a greater weight. The other three sacred months are Dhu al-Qi’dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, and Rajab. Allah emphasises the sanctity of these four months and advises Muslims to avoid wrongdoing during these times.
إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّهُورِ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًۭا فِى كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ مِنْهَآ أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌۭ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا۟ فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ وَقَـٰتِلُوا۟ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ كَآفَّةًۭ كَمَا يُقَـٰتِلُونَكُمْ كَآفَّةًۭ ۚ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ ٣٦
Indeed, the number of months ordained by Allah is twelve—in Allah’s Record since the day He created the heavens and the earth—of which four are sacred. That is the Right Way. So do not wrong one another during these months. And fight the polytheists together as they fight together against you. And know that Allah is with those mindful ˹of Him˺.
At-Tawbah 9:36
One of the most important days within Muharram is the Day of Ashura, which falls on the 10th of Muharram. This year, Ashura will be observed on the 16th of July. The practice of fasting on Ashura is highly recommended by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and is considered a Sunnah. By fasting on Ashura, you seek forgiveness and blessings, commemorating the day when Prophet Musa (Moses) and the Israelites were saved from Pharaoh’s tyranny.
The Day of Ashura, observed on the 10th of Muharram, holds great significance in Islamic tradition. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasized fasting on this day, underscoring its importance. According to Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), he instructed Muslims to fast on Ashura, although it became optional after Ramadan fasting was instituted. Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) singled out Ashura and Ramadan for their unique virtues. Moreover, as narrated by Abu Qatadah, the Prophet (ﷺ) highlighted that fasting on Ashura expiates the sins of the previous year, offering an opportunity for spiritual cleansing and renewal.
The Instruction to Fast on Ashura
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عُرْوَةُ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَمَرَ بِصِيَامِ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ، فَلَمَّا فُرِضَ رَمَضَانُ كَانَ مَنْ شَاءَ صَامَ، وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَفْطَرَ.
Narrated `Aisha: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) ordered (the Muslims) to fast on the day of ‘Ashura’, and when fasting in the month of Ramadan was prescribed, it became optional for one to fast on that day (‘Ashura’) or not.
Sahih al-Bukhari 2001
The Excellence of Ashura
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَعَمْرٌو النَّاقِدُ، جَمِيعًا عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، – قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، – عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي يَزِيدَ، سَمِعَ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ، – رضى الله عنهما – وَسُئِلَ عَنْ صِيَامِ، يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ . فَقَالَ مَا عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَامَ يَوْمًا يَطْلُبُ فَضْلَهُ عَلَى الأَيَّامِ إِلاَّ هَذَا الْيَوْمَ وَلاَ شَهْرًا إِلاَّ هَذَا الشَّهْرَ يَعْنِي رَمَضَانَ .
Ibn Abbas was asked about observing of fast on the day of Ashura, whereupon he said: I do not know Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) 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 1132a
Expiation of Sins through Ashura
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، وَأَحْمَدُ بْنُ عَبْدَةَ الضَّبِّيُّ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ غَيْلاَنَ بْنِ جَرِيرٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَعْبَدٍ الزِّمَّانِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ” صِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ إِنِّي أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِي قَبْلَهُ ” . وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ وَمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ صَيْفِيٍّ وَسَلَمَةَ بْنِ الأَكْوَعِ وَهِنْدِ بْنِ أَسْمَاءَ وَابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ وَالرُّبَيِّعِ بِنْتِ مُعَوِّذِ بْنِ عَفْرَاءَ وَعَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ سَلَمَةَ الْخُزَاعِيِّ عَنْ عَمِّهِ وَعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ ذَكَرُوا عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ حَثَّ عَلَى صِيَامِ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى لاَ نَعْلَمُ فِي شَيْءٍ مِنَ الرِّوَايَاتِ أَنَّهُ قَالَ ” صِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ كَفَّارَةُ سَنَةٍ ” . إِلاَّ فِي حَدِيثِ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ . وَبِحَدِيثِ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ يَقُولُ أَحْمَدُ وَإِسْحَاقُ .
Abu Qatadah narrated that: the Prophet said: “Fast the Day of Ashura, for indeed I anticipate that Allah will forgive (the sins of) the year before it.”
Jami` at-Tirmidhi 752
Embracing the significance of Ashura can be even more enriching by incorporating additional days of fasting. It’s encouraged to fast on the 9th and 11th of Muharram, alongside the 10th. This practice follows the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) intention to distinguish the Muslim community from other traditions, like the Jewish practice of fasting solely on the 10th. You can opt to fast just on the 10th or extend it to include either the 9th and 10th, the 10th and 11th, or all three days (9th, 10th, and 11th). By incorporating these extra days of fasting, you deepen your spiritual journey and affirm your dedication to the Sunnah. This observance not only fosters a closer connection to the divine but also magnifies the blessings and mercy you receive during this sacred time.
Sunnah Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays
The Sunnah fasts on Mondays and Thursdays provide another layer of spiritual enrichment. These days are particularly significant because the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) often fasted on them, stating that deeds are presented to Allah on these days. Therefore, fasting on Monday the 15th and Thursday the 18th of July this year would be an excellent way to accumulate more blessings.
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: “ تعرض الأعمال يوم الاثنين والخميس، فأحب أن يعرض عملي وأنا صائم” (رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث حسن، ورواه مسلم بغير ذكر الصوم).
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Deeds of people are presented (to Allah) on Mondays and Thursdays. So I like that my actions be presented while I am fasting.” [At-Tirmidhi].
Riyad as-Salihin 1256
The White Days
Adding to this special period of fasting are the White Days, observed on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each lunar month. Named for the moon’s radiant brightness on these nights, fasting on these days is highly rewarding. During Muharram, the White Days fall on Friday the 19th, Saturday the 20th, and Sunday the 21st of July.
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مَعْمَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَارِثِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو التَّيَّاحِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو عُثْمَانَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ أَوْصَانِي خَلِيلِي صلى الله عليه وسلم بِثَلاَثٍ صِيَامِ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ، وَرَكْعَتَىِ الضُّحَى، وَأَنْ أُوتِرَ قَبْلَ أَنْ أَنَامَ.
Narrated Abu Huraira: My friend (the Prophet (ﷺ) ) advised me to observe three things: (1) to fast three days a month; (2) to pray two rak`at of Duha prayer (forenoon prayer); and (3) to pray witr before sleeping.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1981
حَدَّثَنَا مَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلاَنَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو دَاوُدَ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ يَحْيَى بْنَ سَامٍ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ طَلْحَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا ذَرٍّ، يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” يَا أَبَا ذَرٍّ إِذَا صُمْتَ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ فَصُمْ ثَلاَثَ عَشْرَةَ وَأَرْبَعَ عَشْرَةَ وَخَمْسَ عَشْرَةَ ” . وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ وَعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو وَقُرَّةَ بْنِ إِيَاسٍ الْمُزَنِيِّ وَعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ وَأَبِي عَقْرَبٍ وَابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ وَعَائِشَةَ وَقَتَادَةَ بْنِ مِلْحَانَ وَعُثْمَانَ بْنِ أَبِي الْعَاصِي وَجَرِيرٍ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى حَدِيثُ أَبِي ذَرٍّ حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ . وَقَدْ رُوِيَ فِي بَعْضِ الْحَدِيثِ أَنَّ ” مَنْ صَامَ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ كَانَ كَمَنْ صَامَ الدَّهْرَ ” .
Abu Dharr narrated that: the Messenger of Allah said: “O Abu Dharr! When you fast three days out of a month, then fast the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth.”
Jami` at-Tirmidhi 761
This alignment of various Sunnah fasts within an eight-day period in Muharram provides a wonderful opportunity to engage in consecutive days of worship. From July 15th to July 22nd, you have the chance to observe Sunnah fasts on Monday, the day of Ashura, the day following Ashura, Thursday, the White Days and another Monday. This period is spiritually nourishing, allowing you to strengthen your faith, seek forgiveness and seek the boundless mercy and blessings of Allah.
Suggested Fasting Schedule
Here’s how you can structure your fasting schedule, with the correct intention:
- Monday, 15th July: Sunnah fasting day.
- Tuesday, 16th July: The Day of Ashura, the 10th of Muharram.
- Wednesday, 17th July: Optional fasting day. It’s encouraged to fast a day before or after Ashura.
- Thursday, 18th July: Sunnah fasting day.
- Friday, 19th July: The first of the White Days (13th of Muharram).
- Saturday, 20th July: The second of the White Days (14th of Muharram).
- Sunday, 21st July: The third of the White Days (15th of Muharram).
- Monday, 22nd July: Sunnah fasting day.
By observing these fasts, you not only honour the significance of Ashura but also tap into the beneficial practice of Sunnah and White Days fasting. Remember, fasting is described as a shield in Hadith, providing both spiritual and physical benefits.
May this Muharram and the year ahead bring you peace, reflection, and a deeper connection to your Maker.
