THE FASTING OF AASHURA –ONE DAY OR TWO DAYS?
Question:
How many days is it Sunnat to fast during the month of Muharram? We have always known that it is necessary to fast on either the 9th and 10th or 10th and 11th. However, some molvis are now saying that fasting only on the 10th is sufficient. According to them the reason for Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) ordering to fast two days was to oppose the Yahood who also fasted on 10th Muharram. But, today the Yahood no longer fast on these days. In view of this, the molvis say that there is no longer Tashabbuh with the Yahood, hence fasting one day suffices. What is proper for us to do?
Answer
Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) had commanded fasting two days, not one day. This command will remain intact until the Day of Qiyaamah. Those who seek to cancel any order of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) are guilty of kufr regardless of the Fiqhi classification of the act. Therefore, even if a Mustahab act is denied or rejected it will be kufr – kufr which expels one from the fold of Islam.
It is an inspiration of Iblees to now claim that the order of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) is abolished on the basis of the Yahood no longer fasting on 10th Muharram. If this type of satanic logic has to be accepted, then these molvis should also abolish the Sirri Qiraa’t of Zuhr and Asr Salaat. The illat (rationale or reason) for Zuhr and Asr Salaat being silent was the great fear of the kuffaar hearing the Muslims performing Salaat, then apprehending and torturing them. That fear and reason have disappeared in the very lifetime of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Nevertheless the hukm of Sirr (silence) was retained and will remain until Qiyaamah.
To gain the full thawaab, it is incumbent to fast on two days. In fact, it is best to fast the first ten days of Muharram. But to fast only one day on the understanding that it is not necessary because of an act of the Yahood, is kufr. The miscreants who are preventing ordinary Muslims from observing the Sunnah – the command of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) – are agents of Iblees.
9 Muharram 1445 – 28 July 2023