Ashura, lit. the tenth day, is a holy day that the Prophet commemorated through fasting, reflection and recognizing Allah’s victory over tyrants and paganism.
‘Aisha, the Prophet’s wife, said:
عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَمَرَ بِصِيَامِ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ فَلَمَّا فُرِضَ رَمَضَانُ كَانَ مَنْ شَاءَ صَامَ وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَفْطَرَ
“Allah’s Messenger ﷺ ordered that the fast on the day of Ashura. However, when fasting in the month of Ramadan was mandated, Ashura became optional for one to fast on that day.” Sahih al-Bukhari, #2001
Ibn Abbas said:
ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ لَمَّا قَدِمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْمَدِينَةَ وَالْيَهُودُ تَصُومُ عَاشُورَاءَ فَسَأَلَهُمْ، فَقَالُوا هَذَا الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي ظَهَرَ فِيهِ مُوسَى عَلَى فِرْعَوْنَ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَحْنُ أَوْلَى بِمُوسَى مِنْهُمْ فَصُومُوهُ
“When the Prophet ﷺ arrived at Madinah, the Jews were observing the fast on Ashura and they said, ‘This is the day when Moses became victorious over Pharaoh’. Upon hearing that the Prophet ﷺ said to his companions, ‘You have more right to celebrate Moses’ victory than they have, so observe the fast on this day’.” Sahih al-Bukhari, #261
Do not see that who have died in the way of Allah as dead, but as alive.
وَلا تَحسَبَنَّ الَّذينَ قُتِلوا في سَبيلِ اللَّهِ أَمواتًا ۚ بَل أَحياءٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِم يُرزَقونَ
“Do not suppose that those killed in the Way of Allah are dead. No indeed! They are alive and well provided for in the very presence of their Lord.” Qur’an 3: 169
Allah will not bear a soul with another’s burden or more than it can carry.
Those who’ve passed away have taken with them what they have earned.
Evil has no permanent root. Evil is illusory. Allah’s intervention into the affairs of the world, on the 10th of Muharram, shows that illusion of evil’s power.
Evil is serious business but it is illusory.
Truth has come. Falsehood has vanished.
Ashura teaches us to see through the illusions of evil. To see through the illusions of suffering in this life.
