Is Fasting on Ashura the Sunnah of the Prophet? [PDF]

Is Fasting on the Day of Ashura the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (p)?
What Happened on the Day of Ashura?
God states in the Holy Quran: “O you who believe, if an iniquitous person comes to you with tidings, then be discerning, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become remorseful over that which you have done.”1 The Quran also states: “And pursue not that whereof you have no knowledge. Truly hearing, and sight, and the heart – all of these will be called to account.”2
Many Muslims insist on the importance of fasting on the day of Ashura (10th of Muharram), considering it to be an extraordinary and highly encouraged sunnah (tradition) of Prophet Muhammad (p) and a way to expiate for one’s sins of the previous year. This short article studies the origin and validity of fasting on the day of Ashura and whether it can be considered a genuine sunnah of the Prophet.
This is a short article that examines the idea of fasting on Ashura and its origins. To read the full article, open the PDF file below:
Fasting on Ashura