The literal meaning of the word “Ashura” is 10^th as it is on the 10^th day of the Islamic month Muharram. Muharram is the first month of an Islamic year which starts with the sighting of the new moon. The day of Ashura marks great historical significance in Islam as well as for Muslims all over the world. There are different events that took place on the day of Ashura in Islamic history. Allah says:

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَقَاتِلُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ كَافَّةً كَمَا يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ كَافَّةً وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ

“Lo! The number of months with Allah is twelve months by Allah’s ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them. And wage war on all of the idolaters as they are waging war on all of you. And know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him).” (Surah At-Taubah 9:36)

The beginning of the Islamic new year is the month of Muharram. Muharram marks the new beginning of the Islamic year with its sacred and holy days. We need to fill the days of Muharram with blessings to Allah Almighty. Allah says:

اتَّخَذُوا أَحْبَارَهُمْ وَرُهْبَانَهُمْ أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَالْمَسِيحَ ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا إِلَٰهًا وَاحِدًا لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ سُبْحَانَهُ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

“They have taken their rabbis and their monks (as) Lords besides Allah and the Messiah, son (of) Maryam. And not they were commanded except that they worship One God. (There) is no god except Him. Glory be to Him from what they associate (with Him).” (Surah At-Taubah 9:31)

The tenth day of Muharram or usually called Ashura is the most sacred day of the month. Even it is believed to be the most sacred day of the Islamic year. Thus, it is needed for us to spend the days of Muharram, especially during Ashura, by doing good deeds like fasting for example. Allah says:

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَقَاتِلُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ كَافَّةً كَمَا يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ كَافَّةً وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ

“Indeed, (the) number (of) the months with Allah (is) twelve months in (the) ordinance (of) Allah (from the) Day He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four (are) sacred. That (is) the religion the upright, so (do) not wrong therein yourselves. And fight the polytheists all together, as they fight you all together. And know that Allah (is) with the righteous.” (Surah At-Taubah 9:36)

The tenth day of Muharram or usually called Ashura is the day when Moses and his people crossed the red sea with his followers. They crossed the red sea with the miracle of Allah the Almighty and caused Pharaoh along with his army drowned in the red sea. To commemorate the day, Muslims fast on every Ashura. Fasting during Ashura is similar to the teaching of Jews as told by our Prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him).

“We are more closely related to Musa than you” Hence He directed all the followers to fast on the day of Ashura.” (Abu Dawood)

The Tenth day of Muharram or usually called Ashura is the day when Husayn the grandson of Prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) died during the battle of Karbala. The battle itself lasted from morning to sunset on Muharram 10, 61 AH. The group of women, men, and children below the lead of Husayn were trapped and killed by a large number of the army under the command of Umar ibn Sa’ad. near the river Euphrates.

Besides becoming the day when Muhammad (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) arrived at Medina, the tenth day of Muharram is also the day when Noah left the ark. Allah says:

قَالَ سَآوِي إِلَىٰ جَبَلٍ يَعْصِمُنِي مِنَ الْمَاءِ قَالَ لَا عَاصِمَ الْيَوْمَ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ وَحَالَ بَيْنَهُمَا الْمَوْجُ فَكَانَ مِنَ الْمُغْرَقِينَ

He said, “I will betake myself to a mountain, (that) will save me from the water.” He said, “(There is) no protector today from the Command of Allah except, (on) whom He has mercy.” And came (in) between them the waves, so he was among the drowned.” (Surah Hud 11:43)

Besides fasting, we still can do another good deed during Muharram. It is because the tenth day of Muharram or usually called by Ashura is the best day, on the best month that includes sacredness to every living Muslim.

Here is some importance of Ashura in Islam:

1. The day to do a reflection of our sins
2. The day to seek Allah’s forgiveness
3. The most sacred day of the month
4. On the day of Battle Karbala
5. The day to commit good deeds
6. The day when Noah left the ark
7. The day to start a brand new year
8. The best month to fast after Ramadhan
9. The day to fast without following what Jewish do
10. The day when Moses and his people were saved from Pharaoh

Therefore, to achieve greater blessings and be a better Muslim, we need to consider two fasting days in Muharram, one of the Ashura day while the other on the preceding or exceeding day.

Events took place on the Day of Ashura

• Martyred of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) held on the 10^th day of Muharram (Ashura). Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) is the beloved grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the son of Hazrat Ali (RA) and Hazrat Fatima (RA). Hazrat Imam Hussain is also one of the Imams He (AS) is the third Imam of Muslims. Martyred of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) occurred in the battle of Karbala that took place between the good and the evil in which Imam Husain (AS) represented good and Yazid represented evil.  So, on the day of Ashura Muslims remember the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and His family for the religion of Islam.
• It has been narrated that it was the day on which Allah Almighty forgave our father Hazrat Adam (AS), the day on which the Ark of Hazrat Nuh (AS) came to rest on the mountain known as al-Judi and the day on which Allah forgave the people of Hazrat Yunus (AS).
• Ashura is the day on which Allah Almighty saved Hazrat Musa (AS) and his people and drowned Firaun and his army who were against Hazrat Musa (AS). Musa (AS) fasted out of gratitude to Allah and his people continued the practice after him. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) told the Jews that his nation was closer to Musa than them. He (SAW) then fasted that day and ordered his Companions to fast.
• On the day of Ashura, Allah Almighty recovered Hazrat Ayub (AS) from the disease.

Every Muslim must aware of the importance of Muharram and virtues associated with this holy month. There are countless blessings from Allah Almighty for people who perform good deeds in this holiest month. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadan is the fasting of Allah’s month of Muharram.” (Muslim)

“The coming year, if Allah wills (I remain alive), I will for surely fast on the ninth (also).”(Muslim)

Therefore, if as a Muslim you are looking to enjoy the serenity and peace of keeping fast other than the month of Ramadan, then Muharram is the month when you need to keep fast. May Almighty Allah helps us and give us the strength to start the Islamic year with true Islamic spirit and shower His countless blessings upon us. Ameen!