What is the ruling on fasting the Day of Ashura without fasting the day before it or the day after it?
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The questioner : Your Eminence, the Shaykh
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : What is the ruling on fasting only the Day of Ashura, without fasting the day before it or the day after it, when one is able to fast a day before it or a day after it, but the hardship of fasting may be difficult for him?
The Shaykh : It is best for a person to fast the ninth and tenth of the month of Muharram; this is the best. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about fasting on Ashura, and he said:Sunan Ibn Majah 1738Sahih (Darussalam) But he said: Sahih Muslim 1134b meaning along with the tenth. It was also reported from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: Bulugh al-Maram 5:41 and in another narration: .
However, there is no doubt that differentiating from the Jews is achieved by fasting a day before it or a day after it. It is best to fast a day before it or a day after it. If one fasts the ninth, it is better than fasting the eleventh. If one fasts the three days—the ninth, the tenth, and the eleventh—he obtains the reward of fasting three days of the month, because a person who fasts three days of every month is like one who fasts the whole year, as established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Although it is best for the three days to be the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth, it is permissible to fast them on other days. Aisha said that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). If one restricts himself to fasting only the tenth day, he obtains the reward, but his reward is less than that of one who fasted the ninth day with it or the eleventh.
Some scholars have said that fasting Ashura has three levels:
The first level is to fast the ninth, tenth, and eleventh. The second level is to fast the ninth and tenth. The third level is to fast the tenth and eleventh; this is the best. As for one who restricts himself to the tenth, there is no blame on him due to the generality of the evidence indicating the virtue of the reward for fasting the tenth day.
However, we must consider the confusion among people regarding the tenth day: when is it? Yes, we say that the calendar is not considered; the consideration is based on one of two things:
Either sighting the crescent of Muharram or completing the month of Dhu al-Hijjah to thirty days. If the crescent of the month of Muharram is not seen, then the month of Dhu al-Hijjah is completed to thirty days. The phases of the moon are not considered. For example, in this year, the phases of the moon indicate that the day is the twelfth, but that is not considered, because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan an-Nasa'i 2124Sahih (Darussalam) This applies to all months: if the incoming month is not seen, we complete the preceding month to thirty days.
With this, we are reassured. As for people being confused, some even said that it is on Friday, meaning the tenth day is Friday, meaning tomorrow.
The reason for this is that a hadith of Shaykh Salih al-Luhaydan was broadcast on the radio; it was a hadith from last year, and last year the tenth day was on Friday. The hadith was broadcast on the radio, and it was the hadith from last year, so people heard that the tenth day is Friday. They began asking us if they had postponed the tenth day to Friday. We told them that the tenth day is not postponed and cannot be postponed. The cause is the error in releasing the tape from last year for this year. And with this, this session ends, because the adhan for the apparent prayer has been called. We ask Allah the Exalted to protect us and you with a good return, and to grant us and you beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds. Indeed, He is capable of all things. And all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. And may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his Companions. We apologize to the brothers who were unable to submit their questions; let them keep them for the second meeting, if Allah wills.
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : What is the ruling on fasting only the Day of Ashura, without fasting the day before it or the day after it, when one is able to fast a day before it or a day after it, but the hardship of fasting may be difficult for him?
The Shaykh : It is best for a person to fast the ninth and tenth of the month of Muharram; this is the best. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about fasting on Ashura, and he said:
I hope, will expiate for the sins of the previous year.
أحتسب على الله أن يكفر السنة التي قبلهIf I live till the next (year), I would definitely observe fast on the 9th
لئن بقيت إلى قابل لأصومن التاسعAbu Hurairah, narrated that The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “None of you should fast on Friday, unless he fasts together with the day before or the day after.” Agreed upon.
خالفوا اليهود صوموا يوما قبله أو يوما بعدهA day before it and a day after it
يوما قبله ويوما بعدهHowever, there is no doubt that differentiating from the Jews is achieved by fasting a day before it or a day after it. It is best to fast a day before it or a day after it. If one fasts the ninth, it is better than fasting the eleventh. If one fasts the three days—the ninth, the tenth, and the eleventh—he obtains the reward of fasting three days of the month, because a person who fasts three days of every month is like one who fasts the whole year, as established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Although it is best for the three days to be the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth, it is permissible to fast them on other days. Aisha said that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
He would fast three days of every month, not caring whether he fasted them at the beginning of the month, the middle, or the end
يصوم من كل شهر ثلاثة أيام لا يبالي أصامها من أول الشهر أو وسطه أو آخرهSome scholars have said that fasting Ashura has three levels:
The first level is to fast the ninth, tenth, and eleventh. The second level is to fast the ninth and tenth. The third level is to fast the tenth and eleventh; this is the best. As for one who restricts himself to the tenth, there is no blame on him due to the generality of the evidence indicating the virtue of the reward for fasting the tenth day.
However, we must consider the confusion among people regarding the tenth day: when is it? Yes, we say that the calendar is not considered; the consideration is based on one of two things:
Either sighting the crescent of Muharram or completing the month of Dhu al-Hijjah to thirty days. If the crescent of the month of Muharram is not seen, then the month of Dhu al-Hijjah is completed to thirty days. The phases of the moon are not considered. For example, in this year, the phases of the moon indicate that the day is the twelfth, but that is not considered, because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Fast when you see it and stop fasting when you see it, and if it is obscured from you (too cloudy), then complete thirty (days).
صوموا لرؤيته وأفطروا لرؤيته فإن غم عليكم فأكملوا العدة ثلاثينWith this, we are reassured. As for people being confused, some even said that it is on Friday, meaning the tenth day is Friday, meaning tomorrow.
The reason for this is that a hadith of Shaykh Salih al-Luhaydan was broadcast on the radio; it was a hadith from last year, and last year the tenth day was on Friday. The hadith was broadcast on the radio, and it was the hadith from last year, so people heard that the tenth day is Friday. They began asking us if they had postponed the tenth day to Friday. We told them that the tenth day is not postponed and cannot be postponed. The cause is the error in releasing the tape from last year for this year. And with this, this session ends, because the adhan for the apparent prayer has been called. We ask Allah the Exalted to protect us and you with a good return, and to grant us and you beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds. Indeed, He is capable of all things. And all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. And may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his Companions. We apologize to the brothers who were unable to submit their questions; let them keep them for the second meeting, if Allah wills.