Ashura 2020 is on Saturday, the 29th of August.

‘Ashura’ commemorates the day that Allah saved the Children of Israel from Pharaoh. Fasting on the tenth of Muharram, also known as the ‘Day of Ashura,’ expiates the sins of the past year. When the Prophet ﷺ arrived in Madinah in 622 CE, he found that the Jews there fasted on Muharram 10 and asked them the reason for their fasting on this day. They said, “This is a blessed day. On this day, Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy (in Egypt), and so Prophet Musa [Moses] fasted on this day giving thanks to Allah.

“The Prophet ﷺ said, “We are closer to Musa than you are.”He fasted on that day and commanded Muslims to fast on this day (Al-Bukhari). The following year, Allah commanded Muslims to fast the month of Ramadan, and the fasting of ‘Ashura’ became optional. It is also reported that the Prophet ﷺ intended to fast on the ninth and tenth. Ibn’ Abbas reported: “The Messenger of Allah fasted on the day of ‘Ashura’ and ordered the people to fast on it. The people said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, it is a day that the Jews and Christians honor.’ The Prophet said, ‘When the following year comes, Allah willing, we shall fast on the ninth.’ The death of the Prophet came before the following year” (Muslim and Abu Dawud). For more on ‘Ashura’ and Muharram, please read The Significance of Fasting the Day of ‘Ashura’ Virtues of the Month of Muharram & Fasting during It.

Thus, according to scholars, you may choose to fast ‘Ashura’ on three days (ninth, tenth, and eleventh); two days (ninth and tenth); or one day only (the tenth). The Prophet ﷺ said, “Fasting the day of ‘Ashura’ (is of great merits), I hope that Allah will accept it as an expiation for (the sins committed) the previous year” (Muslim). But this expiation of minor sins comes if you avoid major sins.

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