When the Prophet (ﷺ) came to Medina, he found the Jews observing fast on the day of 'Ashurah; so they were asked about it (by the Prophet). They said: This is a day on which Allah gave Moses domination over Pharaoh. We fast on it out of reverence to him. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: We have a closer connection with Moses than you have. He then gave orders that it should be observed.
Historical Context & Divine Wisdom
This narration from Sunan Abi Dawud 2444 reveals the profound wisdom in Islamic legislation. When the Prophet ﷺ migrated to Medina, he observed the Jewish community fasting on the 10th of Muharram (Ashura), commemorating Prophet Musa's victory over Pharaoh. Rather than immediately rejecting this practice, the Prophet inquired about its significance, demonstrating the Islamic principle of seeking knowledge before judgment.
The Jewish response highlighted their recognition of this day as one where Allah granted Prophet Musa triumph over tyranny. This acknowledgment of divine intervention aligns with Islamic teachings, yet the Prophet ﷺ established the superior connection Muslims have with Prophet Musa, being his spiritual heirs through the line of Abrahamic prophethood.
Legal Rulings & Scholarly Consensus
According to classical scholars like Imam Nawawi and Ibn Qudamah, the initial ruling made fasting on Ashura obligatory upon the Muslim community. This obligation remained until the later revelation establishing Ramadan fasting, after which Ashura became a recommended (mustahabb) rather than obligatory observance.
The Hanafi and Shafi'i schools emphasize the high merit of this fast, with some scholars recommending fasting both the 9th and 10th of Muharram to distinguish Muslim practice from Jewish custom, as recorded in other authentic narrations.
Spiritual Significance & Theological Implications
This hadith establishes the principle of affirming truth wherever it is found, even from other religious communities. The Prophet ﷺ recognized the validity of commemorating Allah's favors upon His prophets, while simultaneously establishing the proper Islamic framework for such observances.
Ibn Taymiyyah and other classical scholars note that this incident demonstrates Islam's continuity with previous divine messages while perfecting them. The fast of Ashura serves as a living testimony to the unity of prophetic messages and the finality of Muhammad's prophethood ﷺ.