FASTING AND SPENDING ON THE DAY OF AASHURA
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Sayyiduna Ibn’Abbas رضي الله عنهما reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) arrived in Medina and found the Jews observing fast on the day of ‘Aashura(10th Muharram). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to them:
What is the (significance) of this day that you observe fast on it?
They said: It is the day of great (significance) when Allah delivered Musa عليه السلام and his people, and drowned the Pharaoh and his people, and Musa عليه السلام observed fast out of gratitude and we also observe it.
Upon this the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: We have more right, and we have a closer connection with Musa عليه السلام than you have; so Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) observed fast (on the day of ‘Aashura), and gave orders that it should be observed.
Q. What does it mean to spend on one’s family on the day of Aashura?
A: The Hadith states that whosoever spends on his family on the day of Aa’shura (which is the 10th of Muharram), then Allah Ta’ala will grant him in abundance throughout the year. This narration clearly mentions that one should spend on family members (meaning one’s immediate family members) by providing the best of food or clothing etc. The custom of exchanging gifts with friends, extended family and fellow Muslims is absolutely baseless.
من وسع على عياله في يوم عاشوراء وسع الله عليه سائر سنته فأخذ الناس منه أن وسعوا باستعمال أنواع من الحبوب، وهو مما يصدق عليه التوسعة. وقد رأيت لبعض العلماء كلاما حسنا محصله: أنه لا يقتصر فيه على التوسعة بنوع واحد بل يعمها في المآكل والملابس وغير ذلك (رد المحتار ص430 ج6)
Q. What is the time limit to spend on one’s family on the day of Aashura? Is it the Islamic day and night of the 10th of Muharram or is it the 9th, 10th or 10th, 11th or 9th, 10th and 11th days and nights of Muharram?
A. The day of Aashura is the 10th of Muharram. The day of Aashura is not the 9th or 11th of Muharram. Yes, in keeping the fast of Aashura, a person should keep the fast of the 10th of Muharram together with a fast before or after it to avoid enacting the practice of the Jews who fasted on the 10th of Muharram only.
In the case of spending on one’s family on the day of Aashura, the 9th or 11th is not included. As such, the Islamic day and night of the 10th of Muharram is taken into consideration. Therefore, if one wishes to spend on his/her family on the day of Aashura and earn its rewards of expansion in sustenance throughout the year, he/she may do so from the 10th evening (Maghrib time) until the Maghrib time of the following day. (Faydul Baari 3/372)
(The virtue of spending on one’s family on the day of Aashura is applicable between these times.)
