Fasting On The 10th of Muharram

My respected brothers and elders.

My sincerest apologies for sending this post late. this was supposed to be sent prior to the 10th of Muharram. I was extremely tied up with things that time and forgot to send this across. Nevertheless, please keep and recall this Hadith for times to come, InshaAllah, Allah SWT shall lengthen our life for more virtuous opportunities.

HADITH

عن أبى قتادة يبلغ به النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم صوم يوم عرفة كفارة سنة والتى تليها وصوم يوم عاشوراء كفارة سنة
السنن الكبرى للبيهقي - ج 4 / ص 283

Abu Qatadah RA reports from Rasulullah SAW:

"The fast of the day of Arafah (9th Zul Hijjah) is an atonement of sins for the previous and future year. The fast of Aashurah (10th Muharram) is an atonement of sins for one year." (Sunan Kubra of Imam Baihaqi)


COMMENTARY

Allah SWT states in the Qur'an:

"Surely man has been created weak."

Knowing our weakness and our vulnerability of falling into sin, Allah has created simple avenues for us to cleanse ourselves from the evils of our wrongdoings. Imagine - to fast on the day of Arafah (9th Zul Hijjah) wipes out the sins of two years! ; and the fast of Aashurah (10 Muharram) omits the sins of one entire year!

How kind and merciful Allah SWT is to us. Whilst n the month of Muharram let us take advantage to fast on the tenth day. We all know our weaknesses and how much sins we commit. Allah has afforded us these bonus days to clear our bad records. Let us seize this opportunity.

It should ne noted here however that the Prophet Muhammad SAW has advised that whomsoever wishes to fast on the 10th Muharram should also fast an extra day. This was to avoid emulating the practice of the Jews. It was also the practice of the Jews that they used to observe fast on the 10th Muharram to celebrate the day Allah saved Musa AS and his people from the tyrant Fir'aun (as narrated in Sahih Bukhari). It is therefore encouraged to fast - either on the 9th and 10th - or the 10th and 11th of Muharram.