THE DAY OF ASHURA

10 Muharram 1447 (5th July 2025)

It is a Sunnah to fast during the 10th day (Day of Āshūrā), with the day before (9th) or the day after (11th).
It is makrūh tanzīhī to fast on the 10th day of Muharram on its own. It is proclaimed, “Fast on the Day of Āshūrā and join it with the ninth or eleventh day to oppose the Jews and not resemble them”. (Ni‘mat-i Islām)

Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Souls are like recruited troops; those who are familiar with one another (from the realm of souls) will readily harmonize, while those who are unfamiliar will not find any agreement.” (Muttafaqun ‘Alayh)

THE EVENTS THAT OCCURRED ON THE DAY OF ĀSHŪRĀ

The 10th day of Muharram is known as the Day of Āshūrā. On this day, many significant occurrences have occurred. According to Faqīh Abul-Layth al-Samarqandī (rahmatullāhi alayhi) some of the events on this day are as follows:

• 
The creation of the lands and skies,
The acceptance of Ādam (alayhis salām)’s tawbah (repentance),


• The freedom of Mūsā (alayhis salām) from the Firawn,


• The birth of Ibrāhīm (alayhis salām) and his freedom from the fire,


• Ayyūb (alayhis salām) recovers from his ailment,


• Yūnus (alayhis salām’s) freedom from the stomach of the whale,


• Sulaymān (alayhis salām) is given his kingdom,


• Nūh (alayhis salām’s) ark lands on Mount Jūdi,


• The shahādah (martyrdom) of Hazrat Husayn (radiyallāhu anhu).


• It has been stated in a hadīth al-sharīf that the Day of Qiyāmah will also come on the Day of Āshūrā. (Du‘ās [Invocations] and ‘Ibādahs [Acts of Worship])

The Recognition of Souls


Narrated by Haris bin Umayrah (radhiyallāhu anhu):
I went to visit Salman al-Farsi (radhiyallāhu anhu) while he was the governor of Mada’in. I found him tanning leather in a tannery with his own hands. I greeted him and when I wanted to enter, he said, “O Haris! Wait, I will come to you. ”
I said, “Sir, how did you recognize me, although we have never met before?”


He said, “My soul recognized your soul before we met face to face. For souls are like groups of soldiers gathered together in the realm of spirits, class by class.

Those who have in their nature the jewel of performing high deeds for Allah (as if they were gathered there in the other world) quickly unite with each other; they urge each other on to good deeds. Those who have no effort on the path of Allah and are attracted to lowly deeds are also far from each other in good deeds.”

WHAT TO DO ON THE DAY OF ĀSHŪRĀ

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


Salām should be given to at least 10 Muslims, or a Muslim should be given salām 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‘ā should be recited 10 times: “Subhānallāhi mil’al mīzān wa muntahal ‘ilmi wa mablaghar-ridā wa zinātal arsh.”


On this day, at the time of Duhā Salāh, a 2 rak‘ah salāh should be performed. Sūrah al-Ikhlās is recited 50 times in each rak‘ah after Sūrah al-Fātihah.
At the completion of this salāh, the following salawāt should be recited 100 times: “Allāhumma salli ‘alā sayyidinā Muhammadin wa ‘alā āli sayyidinā Muhammadin wa Ādama wa Nūhin wa Ibrāhīma wa Mūsā wa ‘Īsā wamā baynahum minan-Nabiyyīna wal mursalīn. Salawātullāhi wa salāmuhū ‘alay- him ajma‘īn.”


Between Zuhr and Asr, a 4 rak‘ah salāh is performed in which 50 times Sūrah al-Ikhlās is recited in each rak‘ah after Sūrah al-Fātihah. At the completion of this salāh, 70 times istighfār, 70 times salawāt, and 70 times: “Lā hawla walā quwwata illā billāhil ‘aliyyil ‘azim.” should be recited, and a du‘ā should be made for the guidance and salvation of the Ummah. (Du‘ās [Invocations] and ‘Ibādahs [Acts of Worship])


THE FAME OF BARBAROS KHAYRUDDIN PASHA


Barbaros Khayruddin Pasha was one of the Ottoman kapudans (high admirals) and a famous naval mujahids. His real name was Khidir Rais, and he was given the name “Khayruddin” by Sultan Salim the Resolute.


Khidir Rais was renowned for his naval victories to the extent that enemies who encountered him generally gave up fighting. Only those who did not recognize him would engage in battle. In this regard, the following incident is reported: Sinan Rais, on an expedition with his levend (auxiliary) ships, came across a large enemy ship full of armed soldiers.


He signalled to them, “These are the ships of Barbaros.” They also gave up fighting and surrendered their ships. When the enemies realized that they were not facing Barbaros, they regretted greatly.


A person’s worth is known by his name A nameless person is not worth a penny (Memoirs of Barbaros Khayruddin Pasha, Çamlıca Publishing)
 

Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Strive against mushriqūn (polytheists) with your wealth, your lives, and your tongues.” (Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal)

VIRTUES OF THE DAY OF ĀSHŪRĀ

When Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam) emigrated to Madinah al-Munawwarah, he found the Jews fasting on the Day of Āshūrāh 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 salām) fasted on this day [offering thanks to Allah] and so do we.

”
Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu 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 Āshūrā became obligatory. However, after Ramadān’s fast was prescribed, the status of Āshūrā fast changed from wājib to sunnah.


Whoever spends the Day of Āshūrā, namely the 10th of Muharram, in ibādah (Acts of worship) and in discharging sadaqah (charity) will be blessed by Allah Subhānahū with plenty of thawāb (rewards).


Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever treats his family generously on the Day of Āshūrā, Allah will provide for him abundant rizq in the entire year.

”
Sufyān Thawrī (rahmatullāhi alayhi), a great person from the tābi‘īn, said: “We practised this for fifty years and only experienced abundance in sustenance.”