FASTING ONLY ON 10^TH MUHARRAM

Q. What is the Shariah’s stance regarding fasting on only the 10^th Muharram.  According to the Jamiatul Ulama KZN, fasting on only the 10^th is valid their argument is:

“Accordingly, there are Ulama who opine and allow for fasting only on the 10^th of Muharram as the Jews do not observe the fast on the same day as Muslims. Therefore, the fast of Muslims on the 10^th of Muharram is distinguished from the Jews and hence there is no imitation of fasting on the same day as the Jews which was the basis for fasting a day before or after the 10^th of Muharram.”

Please comment. We have always observed two fasts in relation to Aashura.

ANSWER

The opinion of some Ulama is incorrect. They have erred. A mere opinion is not valid Shar’i grounds for abrogating a Mansoos Hukm. The Jamiat KZN conceding the Nass says:

“Having said that, the fasting on the 10^th of Muharram with a day before or after should still be adhered to according to many Ulama this was Rasulullah’s Sallallahu alayhi wasallam advice prior to his demise.”

ARE NON-MUSLIMS ALLOWED IN THE MUSAAJID?

QUESTION: I am an Imaam of a Musjid. I require clarification regarding non-Muslims entering the Musaajid. According to a fatwa issued by Mufti Ebrahim Desai’s Darul Ifta, it is permissible for non-Muslims to enter the Musaajid even for having joint meetings with Muslims. He cites in support, a fatwa of Hadhrat Mufti Mahmoodul Hasan Gangohi (Rahmatullah alayh). The main points of the fatwa permitting non-Muslims to enter and have meetings inside the Musjid are as follows:

1. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) hosted the delegation of a kuffaar tribe in Musjid Nabawi.
2. If one is not certain of the impurity of the non-Muslims, then there is no harm and no fitnah in their entry, and it is not sinful to allow them inside the Musjid.