Encouraging Muslims to observe Sawm on the Day of 'Ashura'
All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, Companions, and whoever follows his guidance. To proceed:
It was authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to observe Sawm (Fast) on the Day of `Ashura’ (10th of Muharram) and he would encourage people to do so. This is because on that Day, Allah (Exalted be He) rescued Moses (Musa, peace be upon him) and his people and destroyed Fir`aun (Pharaoh) and his people. Therefore, it is Mustahab (desirable) for every male and female Muslim to observe Sawm on that day, i.e., the 10th day of Muharram, to express their gratitude to Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He).
In addition, it is Mustahab to observe Sawm on the day preceding `Ashura' or on the succeeding day in order to differ from the Jews with regard to the way of observing this Sawm. However, a person may observe Sawm for the three days altogether, i.e., the ninth, the tenth, and the eleventh of Muharram for it is reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: "Differ from the Jews and observe Sawm for one day before `Ashura' and one day after it."[1]
According to another narration: "Observe Sawm for a day before (the Day of `Ashura') or after it."[2]
It was also authentically reported that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked about observing Sawm on the Day of `Ashura', he (peace be upon him) said: "Allah expiates by it the sins of the past year."[3]
There are many other Hadith encouraging Muslims to observe Sawm on the Day of `Ashura'.
[1] Narrated by Imam Ahmad, Section on Banu Hashim, the beginning of Chapter on the Hadiths narrated by `Abdullah ibn `Abbas, no. 2155; and Al-Bayhaqy, Al-Sunan Al-Kubra, Chapter on fasting on the ninth day of Muharram, no. 8418.
[2] Narrated by Al-Haythamy, Majma` Al-Zawa'id, Book on fasting the day before `Ashura', no. 4315.
[3] Narrated by Muslim, Book on fasting, Chapter on the excellence of observing fast for three days during every month, no. 1162.
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez bin 'Abdullah bin Baaz, may Allah have mercy upon him
Source: www.alifta.net - Fatwas of Ibn Baz, Volume 15, Book on Fasting, Voluntary fasting.
Reference: A statement issued by His Eminence while serving as the Grand Mufty of the Kingdom, and the Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, and the Departments of Scholarly Research.
It was authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to observe Sawm (Fast) on the Day of `Ashura’ (10th of Muharram) and he would encourage people to do so. This is because on that Day, Allah (Exalted be He) rescued Moses (Musa, peace be upon him) and his people and destroyed Fir`aun (Pharaoh) and his people. Therefore, it is Mustahab (desirable) for every male and female Muslim to observe Sawm on that day, i.e., the 10th day of Muharram, to express their gratitude to Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He).
In addition, it is Mustahab to observe Sawm on the day preceding `Ashura' or on the succeeding day in order to differ from the Jews with regard to the way of observing this Sawm. However, a person may observe Sawm for the three days altogether, i.e., the ninth, the tenth, and the eleventh of Muharram for it is reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: "Differ from the Jews and observe Sawm for one day before `Ashura' and one day after it."[1]
According to another narration: "Observe Sawm for a day before (the Day of `Ashura') or after it."[2]
It was also authentically reported that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked about observing Sawm on the Day of `Ashura', he (peace be upon him) said: "Allah expiates by it the sins of the past year."[3]
There are many other Hadith encouraging Muslims to observe Sawm on the Day of `Ashura'.
[1] Narrated by Imam Ahmad, Section on Banu Hashim, the beginning of Chapter on the Hadiths narrated by `Abdullah ibn `Abbas, no. 2155; and Al-Bayhaqy, Al-Sunan Al-Kubra, Chapter on fasting on the ninth day of Muharram, no. 8418.
[2] Narrated by Al-Haythamy, Majma` Al-Zawa'id, Book on fasting the day before `Ashura', no. 4315.
[3] Narrated by Muslim, Book on fasting, Chapter on the excellence of observing fast for three days during every month, no. 1162.
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez bin 'Abdullah bin Baaz, may Allah have mercy upon him
Source: www.alifta.net - Fatwas of Ibn Baz, Volume 15, Book on Fasting, Voluntary fasting.
Reference: A statement issued by His Eminence while serving as the Grand Mufty of the Kingdom, and the Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, and the Departments of Scholarly Research.