The Day of
'Asyura
What is the day of 'Asyura?
Here is a clue. Let's count to ten in Arabic!
Number ten is 'asyarah (عَشَرَة). So 'Asyura means the tenth!
What is the day of 'Asyura?
'Asyura (عاشوراء) literally means "the tenth" and refers to the 10th day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic Hijri calendar.
It comes from the Arabic word عَشَرَة ('asyarah), which means the number 10.
The Virtues of 'Asyura
Allah split the Red Sea for Prophet Musa and his followers when they were chased by Fir'aun (the Pharaoh).
'Asyura is in Muharram, which is one of the four sacred months in Islam.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ encourages Muslims to fast during 'Asyura.
The Virtues of 'Asyura
"When the Prophet ﷺ arrived at Madinah, the Jews were observing the fast on Ashura,
and they said, 'This is the day when Moses became victorious over Pharaoh.'
On that, the Prophet ﷺ said to his companions, 'You (Muslims) have more right to celebrate Moses' victory than they have, so observe the fast on this day.'"
Sahih Bukhari
Allah sent Musa عليه السلام to Fir'aun (the Pharaoh) of Egypt and to the Israelites, for guidance and warning.
Fir'aun was cruel. For years he made the Israelites slaves.
So the Israelites left in the middle of the night to escape, until they reached the Red Sea.
Fir'aun and his army chased them. The people cried: "We will be caught!"
Musa said: "No! My Lord is with me. He will guide me."قَالَ كَلَّآ ۖ إِنَّ مَعِىَ رَبِّى سَيَهْدِينِ
Allah split the sea!
Allah Ta'ala commanded Musa to strike the sea with his staff, and told them not to be afraid.
فَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنِ ٱضْرِب بِّعَصَاكَ ٱلْبَحْرَ ۖ فَٱنفَلَقَ فَكَانَ كُلُّ فِرْقٍۢ كَٱلطَّوْدِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
"So We inspired Musa: 'Strike the sea with your staff.' And the sea split, each part like a huge mountain."
Surah Asy-Syu'ara 26:63 · Read and listen on Quran.com
Can you find the 4 sacred months?
Tap a month. Sacred months turn green.
0 / 4 foundMuharram is one of them, and 'Asyura is in Muharram!
The Benefits of Fasting on the day of 'Asyura
Fasting in Muharram ('Asyura is the 10th of Muharram) is the best fasting after Ramadhan.
Fasting 'Asyura forgives our minor sins for the past one year.
Fasting 'Asyura was made obligatory before fasting Ramadhan was prescribed.
What did we learn today?
'Asyura is the 10th of Muharram
'Asyarah means ten.
Allah saved Prophet Musa
He split the sea and made a dry path.
Muharram is a sacred month
One of the four sacred months.
We fast on 'Asyura to thank Allah
Just like Prophet Musa did.
Thank you
so much!
Raise your hand if you have any questions