[Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius made a special address to the global Muslim community on the night of 18 August 2021~10 Muharram 1443 AH, elucidating on the sacred history and spiritual blessings of observing fasts on the days of the 'Ashura' in Muharram].
Read the Extracts from the Text of the Speech Below:
My dear disciples and Muslim brothers, sisters, and
children,
Assalamoualaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatuhu.
By the Grace of Allah, this evening of Wednesday 18 August is the start of the 10th day of the month of Muharram in this year 1443 Hijri - here in Mauritius, and will end on Thursday 19 August 2021 before sunset, Insha-Allah. It is a very special day for Muslims around the world.
The 10th day of Muharram is better known as Ashura. Ashura comes from the term Ashr, which means 10 [ten] in the Arabic language. Ashura is the name which is given only to the 10th day of Muharram because on this day many events took place in the history of the prophets. Given the importance of this day, some unfortunately associated it with inauthentic events, be it in Mauritius and abroad. Ashura makes us primarily recall the martyrdom of Hazrat Hussein (ra), the grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in Karbala, in Iraq.
Islam is simply to follow the example and the way set
out by the Holy Prophet (pbuh). To know the last part of the life of the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh), one must refer to his traditions as reported by the Sahaba
(ra) and the fatwas [rulings] thereof, because the Sahaba (ra) were the
only direct witnesses of the Sunnan [practices] of our beloved prophet
(pbuh). It was the Sahaba who recorded the words and actions of the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). So, one sees the Sunnah through the eyes of the
Sahaba (ra). Their lives reflect the authentic Sunnah of Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh). So, to understand the practices of the day of Ashura, one must
take into consideration what has been reported by the Sahaba.
The Authenticity of the Day of 'Ashura'
Imam Bukhari (ra) reports that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) had just arrived in Medina while the Jews were fasting on the 10th day of Muharram. It was the day that Hazrat Musa (as) had defeated Pharaoh. On that day, Pharaoh and his army were drowned in the Red Sea. (Bukhari).
Thus, the Jews fasted as a thank you [to Allah] for this victory. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said that the Muslims are closer to Hazrat Musa (as) than even the Jews and therefore, he gave instructions to fast on this day. But since the Jews were fasting on the day of Ashura, so the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) prescribed: “Oppose the Jews and fast on the ninth and the tenth.” (Durr-e-Manthur)
And in another version, it is mentioned to fast a day
before or a day after. It is therefore not recommended to fast only on the 10th
of Muharram. So, the Islamic fasts of Ashura are either Wednesday 18 August and
Thursday 19 August [in Mauritius] or Thursday 19 August and Friday 20 August.
We can even fast the 3 days too. And it is virtuous to fast the entire month of
Muharram. (Muslim).
The Story of Musa(as) and the Day of Ashura
After long years of persecution under the reign of the pharaoh of his time, Hazrat Musa (as) was given the permission to take, or even free, all his people who were under deadly domination at the hands of the pharaoh. They were the descendants of the children of the prophet Yaqub (as). Hazrat Musa (as) had for mission to make them become good believers and thus to save them from lawless transgressors who opposed the word of God. Allah (twt) has told the story of Hazrat Musa (as) repeatedly in the Qur’an. The Qur’an recommends emigration against extreme suppression. Pharaoh forbade them prayer and faith and made them slaves.
Allah (twt) said, “He [Musa] implored his Lord (saying): ‘These are a criminal people.’ [Allah replied] ‘Go by night with My servants, you will certainly be pursued. Leave the sea (behind you open) and still, for the armies (who will follow you) will be drowned therein.” ( Surah Ad-Dukhan, 44: 23-25).
So this is how Allah (twt) made a passage into the sea
for Hazrat Musa (as) and his disciples while Pharaoh and his army were drowned.
That day was the 10th of Muharram.
You should know that in Mecca, at the beginning of Islam, the fast of Ashura was obligatory. But after the prescription of Ramadan in the second Hijri year, fasting on this day was recommended and was no longer compulsory (Bukhari). The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “The fast of the day of Ashura washes away the sins of the preceding year.” (Muslim)
It is authentically reported from several Sahaba that
the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever expands his spending on his family on
the day of Ashura, then Allah will increase his wealth throughout the year.”
(Tabrani).
Other Acceptable Narrations
Also, among the acceptable accounts of the day of Ashura is an account by Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaibah where the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “The day of Ashura is a day when the prophets fasted, so, you too, fast on that day.” (Ibn Abi Shaibah; Suyuti and Umdatul Qari).
And there are still other acceptable accounts of Musannaf ibn Abdur Razzaq that the day of Ashura was the day that Allah (twt) forgave Hazrat Adam (as). This account is reinforced by ibn Rajab, among others, that this day was a day of joy for our grandfather Adam (as). So, by fasting and seeking forgiveness from Allah, then one can obtain the same grace. And that is equivalent to a year of forgiveness for the children of Adam who fast on the day of Ashura.
Also, we find the account that it was on the day of
Ashura that Noah’s ark landed on the earth after the flood on Judi Mountain in
Turkey. This account is narrated by Ahmad and reinforced by Tabari among
others. According to accounts, it was the day of Ashura. The day of Ashura was
the day when Pharaoh’s magicians united against Hazrat Musa (as), and were defeated,
and spontaneously accepted Islam.
The Fast of the 10th Muharram, ‘Ashura'
Abu Qatada (ra) reports that Rassullullah (pbuh) was asked about the fast on the day of Ashura. He (pbuh) replied, “It erases the faults of the previous year.” [Reported by Muslim]
Days of Fasting
So, like I told you, we can fast: The 9th, 10th and 11th of Muharram - the 9th and 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th of Muharram or the three days.
‘Ata (ra) reports that Abdullah Ibn Abbas (ra) fasted one day before Ashura and one day after (reported by Tabari).
Ibn Abbas (ra) reported these words of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh): “If I am alive next year, I will fast on the ninth Muharram (in addition to the tenth that Rassullullah (pbuh) already used to fast ).” [Reported by Muslim].
Scholars say it was Rassullullah’s (pbuh) wish to fast
on the ninth of Muharram, but he passed away before the coming of the Islamic New
Year.
Enrich Yourselves Spiritually
Regarding the fast as a whole, the whole body should fast (the eyes, tongue, ears, heart, mind, limbs, etc.)
So let’s make this firm resolve to let go of sins and enrich ourselves spiritually. Believers must all let go of outer and inner sins - such as: jealousy, hatred, resentment, pride, ingratitude, contempt of others, backbiting, slander, hearsay, gossip, lying, name calling, arrogance, pride, etc., and this renunciation of doing evil is one of the obligatory good works.
So, let’s continue to do pious and righteous deeds only to please Allah. Insha-Allah.
Assalamoualaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakaatuhu