65/20.2. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4737 — Fasting Ashura and Musa’s Victory
"And indeed We revealed to Musa (Moses) (saying): 'Travel by night with 'Ibâdi (My slaves) and strike a dry path for them in the sea, fearing neither to be overtaken [by Fir'aūn (Pharaoh)], nor being afraid (of drowning in the sea).' Then Fir'aūn (Pharaoh) pursued them with his hosts, but the sea-water completely overwhelmed them and covered them up. And Fir'aun (Pharaoh) led his people astray, and he did not guide them." (V.20:77-79)
Hadith About Fasting Ashura and Musa
Sahih Bukhari : 4737
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4737
حَدَّثَنِي يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، حَدَّثَنَا رَوْحٌ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بِشْرٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ، عَنِ 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 ".
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) arrived at Medina, he found the Jews observing the fast on the day of 'Ashura' (10th of Muharram). The Prophet (ﷺ) asked them (about it) and they replied, "This is the day when Moses became victorious over Pharaoh." The Prophet (ﷺ) said (to the Muslims), "We are nearer to Moses than they, so fast on this day."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4737In-book reference : Book 65, Hadith 259USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 261
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4737
This hadith about fasting Ashura explains why the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم told Muslims to fast on the tenth of Muharram in this report. When Allah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم came to Medina, he found the Jews fasting on Ashura. He asked them about it, and they said it was the day Musa became victorious over Pharaoh. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that the Muslims were nearer to Musa than them, so they should fast that day. The hadith focuses on shared recognition of Musa عليه السلام and gratitude for Allah’s help. It does not discuss all later details of Ashura fasting. For searches like Ashura fasting hadith or Moses Pharaoh Ashura, the core teaching is that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم connected this fast with Musa’s victory and told Muslims to observe it.
What we learn from this hadith
- Ashura is identified here as the tenth of Muharram.
- The Jews of Medina were fasting it because of Musa’s victory over Pharaoh.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said Muslims are nearer to Musa.
- The report commands fasting that day in this context.
