Day of Aashuraa

10th of Muharram, 1435

The tenth day of Muharram is called 'Aashuraa.

'Ashuraa is an Arabic word meaning "the tenth" that is, the tenth of Muharram. This has been considered a thanks-giving day for several reasons:

1. On this day, Prophet Adam, A.S. was forgiven by God from his sins in eating the forbidden fruit in Paradise.

God said in the Holy Qur'an:

We said: "O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden; and eat of the bountiful things therein as (where and when) ye will; but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and trangression ."

Then did Satan make them slip from the (Garden), and get them out of the state (of felicity) in which they had been.

We said: "Get ye down, all (ye people), with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling place and your means of livelihood for a time."

Then learnt Adam from his Lord words of inspiration,  and his Lord turned towards him; for He is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.

Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:35-37

2. On this day also, Prophet Nuuh (noah) A.S. was saved from the big flood, his ark having rested on Juudii.

God said in the Holy Qur'an:

So the Ark floated with them on the waves (towering) like mountains, and Noah called out to his son, who had separated himself (from the rest):

" O my son! embark with us, and be not with the unbelievers!"

The son replied:

" I will betake myself to some mountain: it will save me from the water."

Noah said: " This day nothing can save, from the command of Allah, any but those on whom he hath mercy!"

And the waves came between them, and the son  was among those overwhelmed in the Flood.

Surah Hud, 11:42-43

3. Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) escaped from the burning fire of King Nimroad also on this day.

God said in the Holy Qur'an:

They said, "Burn him and protect your gods, if ye do (anything at all)!"

We said: "O Fire! be thou cool, and (a means of) safety for Abraham!"

Surah Al Anbiya, 21:68-69

4. And it was also on this day that the Prophet Musa (Moses) and his people, the children of Israel, were able to flee from Egypt through the Red Sea.

God said in the Holy Qur'an:

And remember, We delivered you from the people of Pharaoh  they set you hard tasks and punishments, slaughtered your sons and let your womenfolk live; therein was a tremendous trial from your Lord.

And remember, We divided the Sea for you and saved you and drowned Pharaoh's people within your very sight. 

 Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:49-50

5. Besides being a thanks-giving day, "Aashuraa has also been considered by the Shii-'ah group of Muslims as the day of the martyrdom of Imam Husin, the son of Ali, the fourth Caliph of Islam and the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and marks the culmination of the ten days' lamentation which is observed every year by them.

On the day of 'Aashuraa, Prophet Muhammad (SAW), enjoin the Muslim to fast (sunnah). Ibnu 'Abbas said: Prophet Muhammad (SAW) came to Madinah and found the Jews observing the fast on the day of 'Aashuraa, so he asked them what was the significance of that day which they were marking with such importance, and they replied:

"It is the great day on which God delivered Moses and his people and drowned the Pharaoh and his people, so Moses observed it as a fast out of gratitude, and we do so also."

Prophet said: "We have more right, and we have a closer connection with Moses than you have," so Prophet Muhammad (SAW) observed it as a fast day himself and gave orders that it should be observed. (Hadith)