The Month of Muharram which is followed by the month of Dhu'l-Hijjah is Allah's sacred month which is a blessed and important month. It is the first month of the Hijri calendar and is one of the four sacred months concerning which Allah (swt) says (which means):
"Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so it was ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four are sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein...(Qur'an 9:36)
Ibn Abbas (ra) said: "The Prophet (Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came to Madeenah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of 'Ashoora (10th Muharram). He said, 'What is this?' They said, 'This is a righteous day, it is the day when Allah (swt) saved the Children of Israel from their enemies, so Musa fasted on this day.' He said, 'We have more right to Musa than you, 'so he fasted on that day and commanded to fast on that day." (Bukhari)
The obligation was transferred from the fast of 'Ashoora to the fast of Ramadan, and this is one of the proofs in the field of Usool al-Fiqh that it is possible to abrogate a lighter duty in favor of a heavier duty. Before the obligation of fasting 'Ashoora was abrogated, fasting was obligatory, but then only recommended.
9th and 10th of Muharram: 'Ashoora is the tenth day of Muharram. However, Ibn Abbas said that the Prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to fast the ninth. (Muslim) 'Ata' reported that he said, 'Fast the ninth and the tenth, and do not be like the Jews.'
If a Muslim chooses to fast Ashoora... Why is it recommended to fast on the 9th?: The reason behind it is to be different from the Jews, who only venerate the tenth day. Also, add another day's fast to 'Ashoora. This is akin to the prohibition on fasting a Friday by itself.
Quotes from "Daughter of Adam" "Virtues of 'Ashoora.' A quarterly magazine for today's Muslim woman Volume 3, Issue 1 January-March 2003 DhullQidah-Muharram 1423/24.
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