Muharram and Fasting: 10 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

1)    What is the meaning of ‘Muharram’?

Muharram derives its name from the word ‘Haram’ which means “forbidden,” highlighting its significance as one of the four sacred months when warfare is prohibited in Islamic tradition.

2)    What are the importance of Muharram?

Muharram bears immense religious and historical importance for Muslims. It is the inaugural month of the Islamic calendar, symbolizing the hijrah (emigration) of Muslims to Medina and the establishment of the first Islamic state in 622 CE. Throughout history, Muharram has witnessed several crucial events, adding to its significance.

It is often referred to as ‘the month of Allah,’ making it particularly special and blessed. Although some months in the Islamic calendar, like Ramadan and Dhul Hijjah, are widely known for their religious observances, Muharram tends to be less familiar to many.

3)    Narrate one Hadith about importance of Muharam

Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: 

أَفْضَلُ الصِّيَامِ، بَعْدَ رَمَضَانَ، شَهْرُ اللهِ المُحَرَّم، وَأَفْضَلُ الصَّلاةِ، بَعْدَ الفَريضَةِ، صَلاةُ الليْلِ (صحيح مسلم)

“The most virtuous fasting after the month of Ramadan is that of Allah’s month of Al-Muharram. And the most virtuous Salat after the obligatory is the night prayer.”

4)    What are four sacred months?

We can understand four sacred months from the blow Hadith:

السَّنَةُ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا، مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ، ثَلاَثَةٌ مُتَوَالِيَاتٌ ذُو الْقَعْدَةِ وَذُو الْحِجَّةِ وَالْمُحَرَّمُ، وَرَجَبُ مُضَرَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ جُمَادَى وَشَعْبَانَ (البخاري)

“The year is twelve months, of which four are sacred: three are in succession, namely, Dhul-Qi’dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram, and (the fourth one) Rajab (of the tribe of) Mudar, which is between Jumada (Thani) and Shaban.” (Bukhari)

5)    Is there any particular fasting observed during Muharram?

Yes, Muharram holds special significance for fasting, with the 10th day known as Ashoora considered one of the best days to fast. Additionally, it is recommended to fast on the 9th day of Muharram, known as ‘Tasooa  and one the 11^th day of Muharram. However, If one miss the fasting on the 9^th day, it is specially encouraged to make up by fasting on the 11th day of Muharram.

6)    What is the virtue of fasting on Ashoora

صِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِي قَبْلَهُ وَالسَّنَةَ الَّتِي بَعْدَهُ، وَصِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِي قَبْلَهُ ” رواه مسلم

I hope from Allah that fasting on the day of ‘Arafa may atone for the sins of the preceding and the coming year, and I hope from Allah that fasting on the day of ‘Ashura’ may atone for the sins of the preceding year.”

7)    Why it is encouraged to fast on Ashoora?

Fasting on Ashoora is encouraged as a token of gratitude for the protection granted to previous prophets, such as Moosa (A.S) and Salih (A.S). By fasting on Ashoora, Muslims show their appreciation and remembrance for the noble legacy of these revered prophets

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ قَدِمَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْمَدِينَةَ، فَرَأَى الْيَهُودَ تَصُومُ يَوْمَ عَاشُورَاءَ، فَقَالَ ‏“‏ مَا هَذَا ‏“‏‏.‏ قَالُوا هَذَا يَوْمٌ صَالِحٌ، هَذَا يَوْمٌ نَجَّى اللَّهُ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ مِنْ عَدُوِّهِمْ، فَصَامَهُ مُوسَى‏.‏ قَالَ ‏“‏ فَأَنَا أَحَقُّ بِمُوسَى مِنْكُمْ ‏“‏‏.‏ فَصَامَهُ وَأَمَرَ بِصِيَامِهِ‏.‏ (البخاري)

The Prophet (ﷺ) came to Medina and saw the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura. He asked them about that. They replied, “This is a good day, the day on which Allah rescued Bani Israel from their enemy. So, Moses fasted this day.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “We have more claim over Moses than you.” So, the Prophet fasted on that day and ordered (the Muslims) to fast (on that day).

8)    Why it is encouraged to fast on Tasoo’a?

The significance of fasting on the ninth day of Muharram (Tasoo’a) is rooted in the Prophet’s desire to differentiate the Muslim fasting tradition from that of the Jews, who also fast on the 10th of Muharram. By encouraging the fast on the 9th, the Prophet wanted to establish that the Sunnah of fasting on the 10th was not merely imitating the Jewish practice but had its own distinct basis.

In doing so, the Prophet reassured the Sahaba that the significance of fasting on the 10th of Muharram was tied to the historical importance of this day, such as the protection of previous prophets, rather than being a mere emulation of another religious community. Thus, fasting on the 9th of Muharram serves as a clear distinction, highlighting the unique and meaningful observance of the Muslim community during the month of Muharram.

حِينَ صَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَوْمَ عَاشُورَاءَ وَأَمَرَ بِصِيَامِهِ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ يَوْمٌ تُعَظِّمُهُ الْيَهُودُ وَالنَّصَارَى ‏.‏ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ فَإِذَا كَانَ الْعَامُ الْمُقْبِلُ – إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ – صُمْنَا الْيَوْمَ التَّاسِعَ ‏“‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَلَمْ يَأْتِ الْعَامُ الْمُقْبِلُ حَتَّى تُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم. (مسلم)

when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) fasted on the day of ‘Ashura and commanded that it should he observed as a fast, they (his Companions) said to him:

Messenger of Allah, it is a day which the Jews and Christians hold in high esteem. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: When the next year comes, God willing, we would observe fast on the 9th But the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) died before the advent of the next year

9)    Can we ask the small children to fast on Ashoora day?

Yes, you can. We have such examples from Prophet’s life.

عن الرُّبيع بنت معوِّذ رضي الله عنها قالت: (أرسل رسول الله – صلّى الله عليه وسلّم – غداة عاشوراء إلى قرى الأنصار التي حول المدينة: من كان أصبح صائماً فليتمّ صومه، ومن كان مفطراً فليتمّ بقيّة يومه، فكنّا بعد ذلك نصومه، ونصوِّمه صبياننا الصّغار، ونذهب إلى المسجد، فنجعل لهم اللعبة من العهن، فإذا بكى أحدهم أعطيناها إيّاه، حتى يكون الإفطار) أخرجه البخاري، ومسلم، وأحمد، وابن حبّان، والطبراني، والبيهقي .

Rubayyi’ daughter of Mu’awwidh b. ‘Afra’ said that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sent (a person) on the morning of Ashura to the villages of Ansar around Medina (with this message):

He who got up in the morning fasting (without eating anything) he should complete his fast, and he who had had his breakfast in the morning, he should complete the rest of the day (without food). The Companions said; We henceforth observed fast on it (on the day of ‘Ashura) and, God willing, made our children observe that. We went to the mosque and made toys out of wool for them and when anyone felt hungry and wept for food we gave them these toys till it was the time to break the fast.

10)    Muharram 10th is also the day when Sayyiduna Husain (R) was tragically killed. Should we observe this day as a day of mourning in remembrance of his sacrifice?

Islam does not require its followers to observe the day of death as a day of mourning. The actions of some Shia groups, like beating chests, slapping cheeks, and cutting heads, have no basis in Islam. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) never endorsed or engaged in such actions, despite mourning the loss of his companions. These practices are not commendable or prescribed in Islamic teachings.