Virtues of fasting on Ashura

  Allah’s sacred month of Muharram 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 says: “Verily, the number of months with Allah is 12 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) Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The year is 12 months of which four are sacred, the three consecutive months of Dul Qadah, Dul Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab, which comes between Jumada and Shaban.” (Bukhari) Muharram is so called because it is a sacred (muharram) month and to confirm its sanctity. Allah Almighty says: “... so wrong not yourselves therein …” (Tafsir of Ibn Kathir) Nafl fasts during Muharram Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Messeng...