What Is the Day of Ashura?
Ashura (عاشوراء) is the 10th day of Muharram — the first month of the Islamic Hijri calendar. The word “Ashura” derives from the Arabic word for “ten” (asharah), marking its position in the month.
For Sunni Muslims, Ashura is primarily significant as the day when Allah saved Prophet Musa (Moses, AS) and the Children of Israel from the tyranny of Pharaoh by parting the Red Sea. It is a day of gratitude, fasting, and heightened worship.
The Story Behind Ashura: Musa (AS) and Pharaoh
When the Prophet ﷺ arrived in Madinah after the Hijra, he found the Jewish community fasting on the 10th of Muharram. He asked them why. They replied: “This is a great day on which Allah saved Musa and his people and drowned Pharaoh and his people. Musa fasted on this day out of gratitude, so we fast on it too.”
The Prophet ﷺ said: “We have more right to Musa than you.” He fasted on that day and instructed his companions to fast on it too. (Bukhari, Muslim)
Prophet Musa (AS) is mentioned more than any other prophet in the Quran. His story — from infancy in the basket on the Nile, through his mission to Pharaoh, to the crossing of the Red Sea — is a story of Allah's absolute power over the most arrogant of tyrants. Ashura celebrates that Allah's help comes to those who believe and submit.
The Virtue of Fasting on Ashura
“Fasting on the Day of Ashura, I hope that Allah will accept it as expiation for the year that went before it.”
One voluntary fast — expiating an entire year of minor sins. This is one of the clearest and most generous rewards for a voluntary act in the entire Sunnah. It is second only to the Arafah fast in terms of Dhul Hijjah/Muharram voluntary fasting reward.
Should I Fast the 9th and 10th or Just the 10th?
The Prophet ﷺ fasted on the 10th (Ashura). Toward the end of his life, when he was asked about fasting Ashura, he said: “If I live to see next year, I will certainly fast the 9th.” (Muslim). He passed away before the next Muharram, but scholars derived from this statement that fasting the 9th AND 10th is the most complete observance.
Best practice: Fast 9th Muharram (24 June 2026) and 10th Muharram (25 June 2026).
Acceptable: Fast only the 10th (25 June 2026).
What Should Muslims Do on Ashura?
- Fast — the primary recommended act. Fast the 9th and 10th if possible.
- Make istighfar — seek forgiveness for the past year.
- Give sadqa — charity in sacred months earns amplified reward.
- Recite Quran — spend time in the words of Allah.
- Make dua — reflect on what you need and ask Allah sincerely.
- Be grateful — remember the story of Musa (AS) and the countless times Allah has saved those who believed.
Ashura and Charity: Give on This Sacred Day
The combination of a sacred day, a voluntary fast, and an act of sadqa is powerful. On Ashura, consider donating to a water well charity, food distribution, or mosque construction — acts of ongoing charity that earn reward long after the day itself.