Beneficial Knowledge

Ashura of Muharram – Sunni Muslim Observance 10th of Muharram (the day of Ashura / Ashoora) is observed as an important day by Sunni Muslims – however, for different reasons. Most scholars believe that Ahsura is named as such because of “tenth” of Muharram (ten is translated as “Ashara” in the Arabic language) Sunni Muslims look at Ashura as a day of “respect and gratitude” (for Prophet Moosa and his nation). Sunni Muslims Based on the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (saws), Sunni Muslims celebrate Ashura as the day when Prophet Moses (Moosa) fasted on that day because Allah saved the Israelites from their enemy in Egypt. One of the many Ahadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad) that attests to that is in Bukhari that states: Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1865) from Ibn ‘Abbaas, who said: The Prophet (saws) came to Madinah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of Ashoora. He said, “What is this?” They said, “This is a good day, this is the day when Allah saved the Children of Israel