What to do on ‘Aashura day? [Plus Additional Spending on ‘Aashura Day]

 

What to do on ‘Aashura day?

Hereunder is a brief description of how to spend the auspicious day of ‘Aashura, in light of the Hadiths of Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam). 

1. Observe the Fast and get one year’s sins forgiven

Sayyiduna Abu Qatadah (radiyallahu’anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

‘I hope from Allah that fasting on the day of ‘Aashura will atone for the sins of the preceding year’(Sahih Muslim, hadith: 2738)

Note: The fast of ‘Aashura should be coupled with the fast of a day before or after, i.e, the ninth and tenth, or the tenth and eleventh. To fast all three days is also good. 

The reward of fasting for one year

In a narration of Sahih Ibn Hibban, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Fasting on the day of ‘Aashura is equivalent [i.e. carries the reward] of fasting for one year”

(Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 3631) 

2. Spend extra on the family and acquire barakah for the rest of the year

Rasulullah (sallallahu ’alayhi wasallam) is reported to have said:

“Whoever expands his expenditure on his family on the day of ‘Aashura, Allah Ta’ala will increase his sustenance for the rest of that year”[See below]

3. Additional istighfar (seek forgiveness)

On this day, Allah Ta’ala excessively forgives those who repent.

Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) said:

‘…If you wish to fast after the month of Ramadan, then fast in Muharram, for indeed it is the month of Allah. [In this month] is a day in which Allah Ta’ala accepted the repentance of a nation, and in which He will accept the repentance of other people.’

(Sunan Tirmidhi, hadith: 741. Declared sound by Imam Tirmidhi. Also See footnotes of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah on Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, hadith: 9314)

 

Hafiz Ibn Rajab (rahimahullah) has cited a few narrations which specify this day to be the 10th of Muharram, the day of ‘Aashura. (Lataiful Ma’arif, pg. 104.) 

4. Abstain from sin

To be able to receive pardon from Allah, one ought to ensure abstinence from sins.

5. Excessive dua for the Ummah.

On the Day of ‘Aashura, Allah Ta’ala granted salvation to Nabis: Nuh and Musa (‘alyhimas Salam) and their respective nations.

May Allah ‘Azza wa Jall deliver the Ummah of today to peace and salvation too.

Doing the above, together with other forms of good, will make this a day of true value for us. 

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the tawfiq (ability). Amin. 

Additional Spending on ‘Aashura Day

There are several legitimate practices in Islam that have been wrongfully deemed as incorrect. In an era of religious melt-down, we cannot afford such incorrect assertions One such practice is: Spending on one’s family on the day of ‘Aashura (The 10th of Muharram)

Rasulullah (sallallahu ’alayhi wasallam) is reported to have said:

“Whoever expands his expenditure on his family on the day of ‘Aashura, Allah Ta’ala will increase his sustenance for the rest of that year”

Source and Authenticity of this narration

This Hadith has been reported by several Sahabah (radiyallahu ’anhum), among them are the following:

1) Sayyiduna Jabir (radiyallahu ’anhuma) (Al-Istidhkar of Ibn ‘Abdil Bar,vol.10, pg. 140)

Hafiz Al-‘Iraqi (rahimahullah) has declared this chain as the most authentic one that exists for this narration. He has also confirmed it to be par in authenticity with the standards of Imam Muslim (rahimahullah) (Al-Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 1193)

2) Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ’anhu). (Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 3515, Al-Targhib, vol.2 pg. 115-116))

Classified as Sahih (Authentic) by: Hafiz Ibn Nasir (rahimahullah) (Al-Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 1193)

3) Sayyiduna Abu Sa’id Al-Khudry (radiyallahu ’anhu). (Shu’abul Imaan, Hadith: 3514)

4) Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ’anhu). (Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 3513)

After recording the above Hadith, Imam Al-Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) comments as follows:

“When all the chains of these narrations are gathered, they assume (sufficient) strength”

This statement of Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) has been quoted with acceptance by several expert Muhaddithun, like: Imam Mundhiri (rahimahullah), Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah), ‘Allamah Sakhawi (rahimahullah) and ‘Allamah Suyuti (rahimahullah). (see: Targhib, vol.2 pg. 116, Al-Amalil Mutlaqah, pg.30, Al-Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 1193 and Al-La-alil Masnu’ah, vol.2 pg. 95)

5) Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ’anhuma). (Al-Afrad of Daraqutni, Tanzihu Shari’ah, vol.2, pg. 158)

This has also been reported with a good chain as the statement of Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ’anhu)

(Al-Afrad of Daraqutni, see Al-Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 1193 and Tanzihu Shari’ah, vol.2, pg.158)

Furthermore, several narrators of this Hadith have been reported to have echoed the following testimony:

“We have tried this, and have found it to be accurate”(Al-Istidhkar, vol.10 pg. 140)

This further strengthens the credibility of the narration.

In fact, one narrator of this Hadith, a great Muhaddith and Faqih, Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah (rahimahullah) said:

“I have been doing this for fifty to sixty years and have always seen its benefit”

(Lataiful Ma’arif, pg. 113)

Imam Al- Bajuri (rahimahullah) has written: When the chains of this narration are all gathered, they acquire credibility. (Al-Mawahibul Ladunniyyah, pg.492)

‘Allamah Al-‘Iraqi (rahimahullah) has authored a detailed treatise on this Hadith in which he has proven its acceptability beyond a shadow of doubt. He has also vehemently rebutted the assumption of Shaykh Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) that this Hadith has no basis. Al-‘Iraqi (rahimahullah) – like many others- has expressed his amazement at such an irrational assertion! (see: Tanzihu Shari’ah, vol.2, pg.158 and Shawahidul Haq of Nabahani, pg.192-195) 

Conclusion 

I have quoted the authenticity of this narration above from ten Muhaddithun. This is sufficient for anyone to be convinced.

Lastly, this Hadith provides an ideal solution during these times of global financial constraint. This is not restricted to food only. One can spend in the form that is deemed most appropriate. (Al-Hadiyyatul ‘Alaiyyah, pg.311)

The extent of expansion in expenditure will naturally depend on one’s means. However, one should be careful not to exaggerate in this regard, or emulate the non believers in their manner of “gifting”.

Note: The Hadith in question only encourages spending on one’s family. The Arabic word used is: عياله which translates as: “one’s dependants”.

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

N.B. Imam Al-Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) and others have written that the practice of applying surma on ‘Aashura has been reported in an extremely weak narration. (Shu’abul Iman, vol.5 pg.334 and Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 1085)

Hafiz Ibn Rajab, ‘Allamah ‘Ayni and ‘Allamah Sakhawi (rahimahumullah) have in fact classified this as a fabrication. (Lataiful Ma’arif, pg.112, ‘Umdatul Qari, before Hadith: 2000 and Al-Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 1085)

The ‘Ulama have therefore ruled it as a bid’ah (innovation) (ibid)