13/19. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1126f — Ashura Fasting Is Optional
Fasting on the day of Ashura'
Ashura Fasting and the Choice to Fast
Sahih Muslim : 1126f
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1126f
وَحَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عُثْمَانَ النَّوْفَلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَاصِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ، زَيْدٍ الْعَسْقَلاَنِيُّ حَدَّثَنَا سَالِمُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ، - رضى الله عنهما - قَالَ ذُكِرَ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَوْمُ عَاشُورَاءَ فَقَالَ " ذَاكَ يَوْمٌ كَانَ يَصُومُهُ أَهْلُ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَمَنْ شَاءَ صَامَهُ وَمَنْ شَاءَ تَرَكَهُ " .
`Abdullah bin `Umar Narrated from:
The day of 'Ashura was mentioned before the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and he said: It is a day when the people in the pre-Islamic days need to observe fast, so he who wishes to observe fast should do so, and he who wishes to abandon it should do so.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1126fIn-book reference : Book 13, Hadith 153USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 6, Hadith 2509
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1126f
This Hadith explains a clear point about Ashura fasting. When the day of Ashura was mentioned before the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم), he said it was a day that people in the pre-Islamic period used to fast. Then he gave a simple choice: whoever wished could fast, and whoever wished could leave it. The main teaching is that fasting on Ashura is not presented here as a forced duty. It is shown as a voluntary fast. This makes the Hadith useful for people searching for the ruling on fasting Ashura, the day of Ashura fast, and whether Ashura fasting is compulsory. The wording also teaches that a person should not treat an optional act as if it is binding on everyone.
What we learn from this hadith
- Fasting on Ashura is described here as a matter of choice.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) clearly allowed both fasting and not fasting on this day.
- A voluntary act should not be treated as compulsory without proof.
- The Hadith connects Ashura with fasting practiced before Islam.
