Q & A on Muharram and Aashurah (6/11)
Question
Which other nation observed the fast of the 10 th of Muharram in Madinah at the time of Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) and why ?
Answer
Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas(radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that when Nabi(sallallalhu alaiyhi wassallam) came to Madinah and found the Jews fasting on the day of Aashura he inquired, ” What is the significance of this day on which you fast? ” They replied, ” This is the day Allah saved Nabi Moosa(alaiyhis salaam) and his followers and drowned Fir’oun and his army. Moosa(alaiyhi salaam) fasted on this day as a token of thanks – giving, thus we too fast on this day.” Nabi(sallallalhu alaiyhi wassallam) said: ” We are more worthy of Moosa(alaiyhis salaam) than you and we are more closer to him than you are.” Thereafter he fasted on this day and ordered the Sahaabah to do the same. (Muslim, Abu Dawud)
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