Quick Scoop

We fast on Ashura because it is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad and a day of gratitude to Allah, especially for the rescue of Prophet Musa and his people from Pharaoh. The fasting is also taught as a way to seek forgiveness for the sins of the previous year.

Why it matters

Ashura is the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. In the hadith tradition, the Prophet ﷺ fasted this day and encouraged Muslims to fast it too. The day is linked to Allah saving Musa from Pharaoh, which is why it is seen as a day of thankfulness rather than celebration in the usual sense.

Main reasons

• It follows the Prophet’s practice.

• It expresses gratitude to Allah for saving Musa and the believers.

• It is described as a means of expiating the sins of the previous year.

Common practice

Many scholars say it is recommended to fast the 9th and 10th of Muharram together, and some also mention fasting the 11th as a better way to distinguish the Muslim observance. If someone fasts only the 10th, it is still permissible and rewarded.

A simple way to think about it

Ashura fasting is not about mourning for most Muslims; it is about remembrance, gratitude, and following the Prophet’s guidance. In one sentence: Muslims fast Ashura to honor a sacred day, thank Allah for deliverance, and seek forgiveness.

TL;DR: Muslims fast Ashura because the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ fasted it, connected it to Allah saving Musa from Pharaoh, and taught that it brings forgiveness for the previous year’s sins.