What is the Day of Ashura?

What is the Day of Ashura?

On the 9th and 10th nights of Muharram, it is recommended to perform Tasbih Salah. Likewise, a four rak‘ah nafilah salah is made on the same nights at tahajjud time for divine pleasure. In each rak‘ah, Surah al-Ikhlas is recited 50 times after Surah al-Fatihah. (Du‘as [Invocations] and ‘ibadahs [Acts of Worship])

Khatm al-Anbiya should be continued on these days, especially on the 9th day. Istighfar should be made as much as possible throughout the month of Muharram. It is a Sunnah to fast during the 10th day (Day of Ashura), with the day before (9th) or the day after (11th).

It is Makrūh Tanzihi to fast on the 10th day of Muharram on its own. It is proclaimed, “Fast on the Day of Ashura and join it with the ninth or eleventh day to oppose the Jews and not resemble them”. (Ni‘mati Islam)

VIRTUES OF THE DAY OF ASHURA

When RasulullAh (sallallAhu alayhi wa sallam) emigrated to Madinah al-Munawwarah, he found the Jews fasting on the Day of Ashurah and inquired what fast it was. They said, “This is a blessed day on which Allah Azza wa Jalla saved the Children of Israel from Firawn. Musa (alayhis salam) fasted on this day (offering thanks to Allah) and so do we.”

Rasulullah (sallallAhu alayhi wa sallam) said, “We have closer relations to Musa than you.” and fasted on that day, commanding his companions to do so as well. Thus, fasting on the Day of AshurA became obligatory. However, after Ramadhan’s fast was prescribed, the status of AshurA fast changed from wajib to sunnah.

Whoever spends the Day of Ashura, namely the 10th of Muharram, in ibAdah (Acts of worship) and in discharging sadaqah (charity) will be blessed by Allah SubhAnahu with plenty of thawAb (rewards).

RasulullAh (sallallAhu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever treats their family generously on the Day of AshurA, Allah will provide for him abundant rizq in the entire year.”

Sufyan Thawri (rahmatullAhi alayhi), a great person from the tabi‘īn, said: “We practised this for fifty years and only experienced abundance in sustenance.”

WHAT TO DO ON THE DAY OF ASHURA

If groceries are bought on this day, there will be barakah in one’s home for the rest of the year.

Salam should be given to at least 10 Muslims, or a Muslim should be given salam 10 times.

The poor should be made happy.

Those who take a ghusl bath on that day shall not experience ailments for the rest of the year.

The following du‘a should be recited 10 times: “Subhanallahi mil’al mīzan wa muntahal ‘ilmi wa mablaghar-rida wa zinatal arsh.”

On this day, at the time of Duha Salah, a 2 rak‘ah salah should be performed. Sūrah al-Ikhlas is recited 50 times in each rak‘ah after Sūrah al-Fatihah.

At the completion of this salah, the following salawat should be recited 100 times: “Allahumma salli ‘ala sayyidina Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali sayyidina Muhammadin wa adama wa Nūhin wa Ibrahīma wa Mūsa wa ‘Īsa wama baynahum minan-Nabīyyīna wal mursalīn. Salawatullahi wa salamuhū ‘alay- him ajma‘īn.”

Between Zuhr and Asr, a 4 rak‘ah salah is performed in which 50 times Sūrah al-Ikhlas is recited in each rak‘ah after Sūrah al-Fatihah. At the completion of this salah, 70 times istighfar, 70 times salawat, and 70 times: “La hawla wala quwwata illa billahil ‘aliyyil ‘azim.” should be recited, and a du‘a should be made for the guidance and salvation of the Ummah. (Du‘as [Invocations] and ‘Ibadahs [Acts of Worship])

THE EVENTS THAT OCCURRED ON THE DAY OF ASHURA

• The 10th day of Muharram is known as the Day of ASHURA. On this day, many significant occurrences have transpired. According to Faqih Abul-Layth al-Samarqandi (rahmatullahi alayhi) some of the events on this day are as follows:
• The creation of the lands and skies,
• The acceptance of Adam (alayhis salam)’s tawbah (repentance),
• The freedom of Musa (alayhis salām) from the Pharaoh,
• The birth of Ibrahim (alayhis salam) and his freedom from the fire,
• Ayyub (alayhis salam) recovers from his ailment,
• Yunus (alayhis salam)’s freedom from the stomach of the whale,
• Sulayman (alayhis salam) is given his kingdom,
• Nuh (alayhis salam)’s ark lands on Mount Judi,
• The shahadah (martyrdom) of Hadrat Husayn (radiyallahu anhu).
• It has been stated in a hadith al-sharif that the Day of Qiyamah will also come on the Day of ASHURA.