Islamic Verdicts - Volume III

The Book Of fasting

Voluntary fasting

The ruling on fasting the Day of 'Ashura'

Q: What is the ruling on fasting the day of 'Ashura'? Is it better to fast the day before it or the day after it or all of these days (i.e., 3 days) or the day of 'Ashura' only? We hope for some clarification concerning that, and may Allah reward you with good.

A: Fasting the day of 'Ashura' is Sunnah. This is due to what is confirmed in the authentic Hadiths from the Messenger of Allah (Salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) which prove that. This is also because it was a day that the Jews fasted because Allah saved Musa and his people during it, and He destroyed Fir'awn (Pharaoh) and his people. Thus, our Prophet Muhammad (Salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam); fasted it as thanks to Allah and he ordered that it be fasted. He legislated for us to fast a day before it or a day after it, and fasting the 9th along with the 10th is better. If the person fasts the 10th along with the 11th, that is sufficient for opposing the Jews. If the person fasts them both  (i.e., the 9th and the 11th) along with the 10th, there is no harm in that due to what has been related in some of the narrations: "Fast a day before it and a day after it" (Ahmad no. 1: 241, Al-Bayhaqi 4: 287 and Ibn Khuzaymah no. 2095).

As far as fasting it (the 10th) alone, that is disliked. And Allah is the Giver of success.

Ash-Shaykh Ibn Baz

A Fatwa about fasting the Day of 'Ashura'

Q: Whoever fasts the 9th and the 10th, then it becomes clear to him afterwards that he actually fasted the 8^th and the 9th, what is the ruling? Does he have to make that up for?

A: He does not have to make up for the fast and he receives the complete reward, if Allah wills, based upon his intention, because he thought that it was the 9th and the 10th according to the calendars. Therefore, he gets his reward, if Allah wills. He does not have to make up for the fast and he gets the reward of fasting the two days.

Q: If it becomes clear to him on the 9th day that the next day will be the 10th (i.e., he thought the 9th was the 10th), should he continue fasting for three days?

A: It is better for him to continue fasting until he is certain that he fasted the 10th. This is what is best. If he does not fast, there is no harm, and he has missed fasting the 10th.

Ash-Shaykh Ibn Baz