The Historical Significance of Ashura

Mu'awiyah ibn Abu Sufyan (Radiyallahu 'anh) relates: I heardthe
Messenger of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) say: "It is the day of
'Ashura. Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) has not made fasting obligatory
for you. But I am fasting. He who likes to observe fast among you
should do so, and he who likes not to observe it (does not have to)
observe it." [Sahih Muslim]
Abu Qatada (Radiyallahu 'anh) relates that the Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) said that the fast on the 10th of
Muharram atones for the sins of the preceding year. [Sahih Muslim]
Abu Huraira (Radiyallahu 'anh) reports that the Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) said that after Ramadan, the fasts of
Muharram have the greatest excellence. [Sahih Muslim]
Alhamdulillah, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) has blessed us to see
another year. The first month of this year is Muharram. In this month
is an excellent day—the day of 'Ashura—which falls on the 10th of
Muharram. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) recommended
that we fast on this day, by his Sunnah. Healso indicated how we
should observe the fast of 'Ashura.
Hakam ibn Al-Arat (Radiyallahu 'anh) relates: I went to Ibn
Abbas(Radiyallahu 'anh)… I said to him: Tell me about fasting on
'Ashura. He said, "When you seen the new moon of Muharram count the
(days) and (begin to) observe faston the 9th." I said to him: "Is it
how the Holy Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam)
observed the fast?" He said,"Yes." [Sahih Muslim]
Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radiyallahu 'anh) relates that when the Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) said: "If I survive till next year, I
will definitely observe fast on the 9th of Muharram (as well)." [Sahih
Muslim]
(Note: What the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) meant was
that he would also fast on the 9th as well as the 10th to which he was
accustomed. We also should try fasting on the 9th and the 10th
ofMuharram.)
Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radiyallahu 'anh) reports that the Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) arrived in Madinah and found the Jews
observing fast on the day of 'Ashura… They said: "It is the day of
great (significance) when Allah delivered Hazrat Musa('Alaihis-Salaam)
and his people and drowned Pharoah and his people, and Sayyidina Musa
('Alaihis-Salaam) observed fast out of gratitude. And we also observe
it." The Holy Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam)
responded: "We have more right, and we have closer connection with
Sayyidina Musa ('Alaihis-Salaam) than you have"; so Allah's Messenger
(Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) observed fast (on the day of 'Ashura)
and gave us orders to observe it. [Sahih Bukhari and Muslim]
'Ashura is a day of great historicalsignificance. On this day: Allah
(Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) accepted the repentance of Sayyidina
Adam('Alaihis-Salaam) after his exile from Paradise; Allah (Subhanahu
wa Ta'ala) saved Sayyidina Nuh ('Alaihis-Salaam) and his companions in
the ark; Allah extinguished the fire in which Sayyidina Ibrahim
('Alaihis-Salaam) was thrown by Nimrod; And Allah (Subhanahu wa
Ta'ala) spoke directly to Sayyidina Musa ('Alaihis-Salaam) and gave
him the Commandments. On this same 10th of Muharram, Sayyidina Ayyub
('Alaihis-Salaam) was restored to health (from leprosy); Sayyidina
Yusuf ('Alaihis-Salaam) was reunited with his father Ya'qub
('Alaihis-Salaam); Sayyidina Yunus ('Alaihis-Salaam) was taken out
from the belly of the fish; and the sea was divided as the nation of
israel was delivered from captivity and Pharoah's army was destroyed.
'Ashura is also the day when Sayyidina Dawud ('Alaihis-Salaam)was
forgiven; the kingdom of Sulaiman ('Alaihis-Salaam) was restored;
Sayyidina Isa ('Alaihis-Salaam) was raised to Jannah andSayyidina
al-Husayn (Radiyallahu 'anh) (the Holy Prophet's, Sallallahu 'alayhi
wa Sallam, grandson) achieved the honor of Martyrdom.
Worship Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) as much as you can on 'Ashura.
Whoever fasts on this day is like one who fasts all his life. Whoever
clothes a naked person Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) will release him
from a painful punishment. He who visits a sick person, Allah
(Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) will grant him a reward that will not be
decreased. Whoever places his hand on an orphan's head, or feeds a
hungry person or gives water to a thirsty man, Allah will feed him a
feast from Paradise and will quench his thirst with Salsabil (a wine
that does not intoxicate). And who ever takes a Ghusl on this day will
enjoy excellent health and freedom from sickness and indolence.
Whoever provides generously for his family on this day, Allah
(Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) will be generous to him throughout this year.
And whoever applies Kuhl to his eyes will never suffer from eye-sore
again, inSha'Allah al-Aziz.
O' Allah! Bless us to perform gooddeeds and gain their reward on
'Ashura. Make the new year one of unity, cooperation and successfor
Muslims in this city and around the world. Ameen.
1. These are mentioned as what scholars have determined as the
specialties of that day in Ghunya li-Talibi Tariq al-Haqq, Sayyidina
Abdul Qadir al-Jilani.
2. These specialties are mentioned in Ghunya li-Talibi Tariq al-Haqq,
Sayyidina Abdul Qadir al-Jilani.

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

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