When the Prophet (ﷺ) on the day of 'Ashurah and commanded us to fast on it, they (i.e. Companions) said: Messenger of Allah, this is a day which is considered great by Jews and Christians ? The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: When the next year comes, we shall fast on the 9th of Muharram. But the next year the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) breathed his last.
Hadith Text & Reference
When the Prophet (ﷺ) on the day of 'Ashurah and commanded us to fast on it, they (i.e. Companions) said: Messenger of Allah, this is a day which is considered great by Jews and Christians? The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: When the next year comes, we shall fast on the 9th of Muharram. But the next year the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) breathed his last.
Source: Sunan Abi Dawud 2445 | Book: Fasting (Kitab Al-Siyam)
Contextual Background
This hadith addresses the transition from fasting solely on the 10th of Muharram (Ashura) to the Prophetic guidance of adding the 9th. The Companions' question reflects their awareness that Jews and Christians also venerated this day, particularly as the day Allah saved Moses and the Israelites from Pharaoh.
The Prophet's response demonstrates the Islamic principle of distinguishing Muslim practices from those of other faiths, even when sharing common historical roots.
Legal Rulings & Scholarly Opinions
Majority View: It is recommended (mustahabb) to fast both the 9th and 10th of Muharram. The 9th is known as Tasu'a while the 10th remains Ashura.
Alternative Opinion: Some scholars recommend fasting the 10th with either the 9th or 11th to create differentiation.
Reason for Differentiation: The Prophet (ﷺ) stated: "Fast the day of Ashura and be different from the Jews; fast a day before it or a day after it" (Ahmad).
Spiritual Significance
Fasting on Ashura expiates the sins of the previous year according to authentic hadith. The addition of the 9th enhances this spiritual opportunity while maintaining Islamic distinctiveness.
This incident exemplifies the balance between acknowledging shared Abrahamic traditions while establishing unique Islamic identity through practice.
Practical Implementation
The optimal practice is to fast both the 9th and 10th of Muharram. If one misses the 9th, fasting the 10th and 11th achieves the same objective of differentiation.
Fasting only the 10th remains valid but misses the complete Sunnah as intended by the Prophet before his passing.