The fasting of 'Aa'shurah

The 10th day of Muharram was a day the Jews were fasting. They were fasting because it was on that day that Allah Ta'ala freed Hazrat Musa (Alaihis Salam) and his Ummah from Pharaon. Therefore, it was a fast of gratitude. The Quraish also were observing this fast. Likewise, Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) also was observing this fast before his arrival to Madinah. When he came to Madinah, he ordered the Sahaabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallaahu Anhum) to observe this fast. Before the obligation of the fasting of Ramadan, the fast of the 10th day of Muharram was Farz. Later on, it became an optional fast when the fasts of Ramadan was enjoined. Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) had ordered the Sahaabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum) to fast on the 9th or the 11th in addition to the 10th so as not to imitate the Jews. Thus, there are three ways to observe it: the 9th and the 10th or the 10th and the 11th or the 9th, the 10th and the 11th. According to the Hadith, this fast erases the sins of a year. Normally, sins that are forgiven by observing fasts or by doing Ibaadah, apply to minor sins. As for major sins, one must make Taubah or Allah Ta'ala may forgive whom He wants. This is up to His discretion.

[English version of "Roza de Ashourah" – Al Jamiat – Vol.7 No.8]