177. The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, The Jews And The Fasting Of Aashooraa

By Asma bint Shameem 

QUESTION

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said he wanted to fast the ninth of Muharram to be different from the Jews, but he passed away before that. 

Did he not know about that although he lived in Madeenah for TEN years before he passed away?

ANSWER

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam used to fast Aashooraa, when he was in Makkah, YEARS BEFORE he arrived in Madeenah. 

Initially, it was OBLIGATORY to fast the day of Aashooraa and that’s what the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam and the Sahaabah did until the fasting of Ramadhaan was made obligatory and then the fast of Aashooraa became optional and recommended. 

 Aaisha radhi Allaahu anhaa said:

“The Quraysh used to fast on Aashooraaa during the Jaahiliyyah, and the Messenger of Allaah  Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam 

used to fast on (that day) too. When he migrated to Madeenah, he fasted this day and ordered that this fast be observed. When the month of Ramadhaan was enjoined, he said: 

“Whoever wishes may fast on (this day) and whoever wishes may forsake it.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

When the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam initially came to Madeenah, he saw that the Jews were ALSO fasting Aashooraa, JUST LIKE HE HAD BEEN doing for years, so he instructed the Sahaabah to do the same because the Muslims have more right to Musa Alayhi-salaam.

Ibn ‘Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam came to Madeenah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of Aashooraa. 

He said: “What is this?” (meaning: “why are YOU fasting”) 

They said: This is a good day; it is the day on which Allaah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy, so Moosaa fasted on this day. 

He said: “We have more right to Moosaa than you.” 

So he fasted on this day and issued instructions that a fast was to be observed on this day.”(al-Bukhaari)

He Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said this “INITIALLY” when he FIRST came to Madeenah. 

Ibn al-Qayyim said regarding the above hadeeth:

 “It was when he FIRST came to Madeenah.” 

(Zaad al-Ma‘aad (2/67)

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam did not “BEGIN” fasting Aashooraa, after seeing the Jews do it because he had ALREADY been fasting in Makkah all these years. 

When the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam initially migrated to Madeenah, this was the time when he did not mind doing things SIMILAR to the People of the Book unless he received prohibition about it from Allaah. 

So he CONTINUED his practice of fasting Aahooraa. 

Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar said: 

“Whatever the case, he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam did not fast it in *”emulation”* of them – i.e., the Jews – because he used to fast it before that, and that was at the time when the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam liked to do the *same* as the people of the Book in matters that he had not been forbidden to do so.” 

(Fath al-Baari, 4/248)

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

“In the beginning, he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam LIKED to do the SAME as the People of the Book in matters concerning which he had received no divine instructions.” 

(Zaad al-Ma‘aad)

However, towards the END of his life, he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said that he wanted to fast the ninth as well because NOW he wanted to be DIFFERENT from the Jews. 

So he said:

“Next year, if Allaah wills, we will fast on the ninth day too.” 

But before the next year came, the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam passed away.” (Muslim)

Ibn Taymiyah said regarding this issue:

“Then when it was said to him, shortly before he died, that it was a day that was venerated by the Jews and the Christians, he gave instructions to DIFFER from them by adding another day to it, and he resolved to do that.”

(Iqtida’ as-Siraat al-Mustaqeem (1/87)

Conclusion

This shows that the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam had been fasting Aashooraa for years even before he came to Madeenah.

Then when he came to Madeenah, he found out that the Jews ALSO fasted Aashooraa. 

But he didn’t mind fasting the same day as them, because initially he *liked* to do the same as the People of the Book, if it was a good deed and to be different from the polytheists. 

But towards the end of his life, he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam wanted to be DIFFERENT from the Jews so he said he would fast the ninth the next year but he passed away before he could do that. 

And Allaah knows best.