Additions to Shaykh Sulaymân’s words about ‘Âshûrâ’:

صُومُوا التَّاسِعَ وَالْعَاشِرَ

“Fast the ninth and the tenth.” (This is confirmed in “Al-Musannaf” from the statement of ‘Abdullâh Ibn ‘Abbâs)

Regarding fasting the eleventh: This is done for two possible reasons.

The first is based upon the Hadîth that the Shaykh referred to in “Musnad Ahmad”, in which we were told to do either the day before it or the day after it, in order to be different than the jews. So had this been authentic, fasting the eleventh would, at the very least, be recommended. However, it is weak, so no discussion is needed on it.

The second is that since:

– It is confirmed that the Prophet (sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam), said he was going to fast the ninth if he lived until the next year.

– We know that the Jews used to fast the tenth.

– Ibn ‘Abbâs said:

حين صام رسولُ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلَّمَ يومَ عاشوراءَ وأمرَ بصيامِه قالوا: يا رسولَ الله إنه يومٌ تُعظِمُه اليهودُ والنصارى. فقال رسولُ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلَّمَ: فإذا كان العامُ المُقبلُ إن شاءَ اللهُ صُمْنا اليومَ التاسعَ. قال: فلمْ يأتِ العامُ المُقبلُ حتى تُوفِّيَ رسولُ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليهِ وسلَّمَ

That when the Messenger of Allâh (sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam) fasted on the day of ‘Âshûrâ’ and commanded that it should he observed as a fast, they (his Companions) said to him: Messenger of Allâh, it is a day which the jews and christians hold in high esteem. Thereupon the Messenger of Allâh (sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: When the next year comes, God willing, we would observe fast on the 9th But the Messenger of Allâh (sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam) died before the advent of the next year. (Narrated by Muslim)

– And we have ‘Abdullâh Ibn ‘Abbâs saying:

صوموا يومَ عاشوراءَ وخالِفوا اليَهودَ صوموا قبلَهُ يومًا أو بعدَهُ يومًا

“Fast the day of ‘Âshûrâ’ and be different than the Jews. Fast the day before it or the day after it.” (Narrated by ‘Abdur-Razzâq in “Al-Musannaf” and declared “Sahîh” by Al-Albânî in “Jilbâb Al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah 177)

– And we have him saying:

خَالِفُوا الْيَهُودَ وَصُومُوا يَوْمَ التَّاسِعِ وَالْعَاشِرِ

“Be different than the jews; fast the ninth and the tenth.” (Narrated by At-Tahâwî in “Sharh Ma’ânî al-Âthâr” and others)

This shows that the reason for fasting the ninth is to be different than the jews by not fasting the tenth alone. If this is the case, then the same goal is achieved by fasting the eleventh.

However, this is not entirely a sound approach. This is because

– The Prophet (sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam) fasted the tenth by itself for years, and never fasted a day with it.

– He is also the one who told us:

ومن تشبَّهَ بقومٍ فَهوَ منْهم

“And whoever imitates a people, then he is from them.” (Narrated by At-Tirmithî and it is “Hasan”)

– Had this been a matter that required a day to be fasted with it in order to be different than the jews, he would not have fasted the tenth alone.

– Furthermore, he would have commanded us to fast the ninth and not merely told us he was going to do so.

– Even if it is confirmed that the reason for fasting the ninth is to be different than the jews, we would say that we have instructions on how to make fasting ‘Âshûrâ’ different than the jews, and that is by fasting the ninth, not by fasting a day with it. By us saying that the eleventh would fulfill that as well, we are going beyond what the Prophet (sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam) said.

Based on this, we see that fasting the eleventh has no specific Textual basis, it is not a matter that is supported by general Textual Evidence, nor is it supported by sound Qiyâs, for those who would accept it in these types of matters.

And Allâh Knows Best.

— Abû Tâlût, Haytham Âl Sayfaddîn

‘Âshûrâ’ should be fasted as the 9th & 10th or just the 10th

By Shaykh Sulaymân Ibn Nâsir al-‘Alwân