155- Encouraging Muslims to observe Sawm on the Day of `Ashura'

Fatwas of Ibn Baz

Browse by subject >  Acts of worship  >  Sawm (Fast)  >  Types of Sawm (Fast)  >  Mustahab Sawm  >  Observing Sawm during the two days of Tasu`a' and `Ashura'  > Encouraging Muslims to observe Sawm on the Day of `Ashura' (Part No. 15; Page No. 397) 155- 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 and upon his family, companions, and whoever follows his teachings. It is 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. According to another narration: Observe Sawm for a day before (the Day of `Ashura') or after it. It is 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 (Part No. 15; Page No. 398) past year. There are many other Hadith encouraging Muslims to observe Sawm on the Day of `Ashura'. The calendar shows that Saturday will be the 30th of Dhul-Hijjah of this current year 1416 A.H. Nevertheless, sighting the new moon may confirm this or prove it is the first of Muharram 1417 A.H. And that Dhul-Hijjah of the year 1416 A. H. Is only 29 days. Accordingly, it is better for Muslims this year to observe Sawm on Monday and Tuesday to be on the safe side as Sunday may be the 9th of Muharram if Dhul-Hijjah is only 29 days, or the 8th if Dhul-Hijjah is 30 days. However, observing Sawm on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday is good as doing so is a further precaution to guarantee applying the Sunnah (a commendable act) and because observing Sawm on three days of each month is a well-established Sunnah as explained previously. Finally, I ask Allah to guide us and all Muslims to all that pleases Him and to make us all amongst those who hasten to all goodness. Verily, Allah is the Most Generous, the Most Bountiful. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions! `Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz Grand Mufty of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Chairman of Council of Senior Scholars and the Department of Scholarly Research and Ifta' Fatwas of Ibn Baz Browse by subject >  Acts of worship  >  Sawm (Fast)  >  Types of Sawm (Fast)  >  Mustahab Sawm  >  Observing Sawm during the two days of Tasu`a' and `Ashura'   Encouraging Muslims to observe Sawm on the Day of `Ashura'   Moon sighting for the night of ‘Ashura’   Relying on the calendar for Sawm on the Day of ‘Ashura’   Q: What is the ruling on observing Sawm (Fast) on the Day of ‘Ashura’ (10th of Muharram)? Is it better to observe Sawm on the day preceding it, the day succeeding it, all the three...   Q: What is the ruling in case a person observed Sawm of the ninth and the tenth and later discovered that they were the eighth and the ninth of Muharram, because the calendar was incorrect?...   Q: While a person was observing Sawm (Fast) on the ninth of Muharram, he discovers that the tenth of the month is the next day; are they to continue the Sawm for the three days?