living islam _ Islamic tradition

'Ashura is a day of great historical significance. On this day: Allah
(Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) accepted the repentance of Sayyidina Adam
('Alaihis-Salaam) after his exile from Paradise; Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala)
saved Sayyidina Nuh ('Alaihis-Salaam) and his companions in the ark; Allah
extinguished the fire in which Sayyidina Ibrahim ('Alaihis-Salaam) was
thrown by Nimrod; And Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) spoke directly to
Sayyidina Musa ('Alaihis-Salaam) and gave him the Commandments. On this same
10th of Muharram, Sayyidina Ayyub ('Alaihis-Salaam) was restored to health
(from leprosy); Sayyidina Yusuf ('Alaihis-Salaam) was reunited with his
father Ya'qub ('Alaihis-Salaam); Sayyidina Yunus ('Alaihis-Salaam) was taken
out from the belly of the fish; and the sea was divided as the nation of
israel was delivered from captivity and Pharoah's army was destroyed.
'Ashura is also the day when Sayyidina Dawud ('Alaihis-Salaam) was forgiven;
the kingdom of Sulaiman ('Alaihis-Salaam) was restored; Sayyidina Isa
('Alaihis-Salaam) was raised to Jannah; the Holy Prophet's (Sallallahu
'alayhi wa Sallam) sins were forgiven; and Sayyidina al-Husayn (Radiyallahu
'anh) (the Holy Prophet's, Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam, grandson) achieved
the honor of Martyrdom.

Mu'awiyah ibn Abu Sufyan (Radiyallahu 'anh) relates: I heard the Messenger
of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) say: "It is the day of 'Ashura. Allah
(Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) has not made fasting obligatory for you. But I am
fasting. He who likes to observe fast among you should do so, and he who
likes not to observe it (does not have to) observe it." [Sahih Muslim]

Abu Qatada (Radiyallahu 'anh) relates that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu
'alayhi wa Sallam) said that the fast on the 10th of Muharram atones for the
sins of the preceding year. [Sahih Muslim]

Abu Huraira (Radiyallahu 'anh) reports that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu
'alayhi wa Sallam) said that after Ramadan, the fasts of Muharram have the
greatest excellence. [Sahih Muslim]

Alhamdulillah, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) has blessed us to see another
year. The first month of this year is Muharram. In this month is an
excellent day--the day of 'Ashura--which falls on the 10th of Muharram. The
Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) recommended that we fast on this
day, by his Sunnah. He also indicated how we should observe the fast of
'Ashura.

Hakam ibn Al-Arat (Radiyallahu 'anh) relates: I went to Ibn Abbas
(Radiyallahu 'anh)... I said to him: Tell me about fasting on 'Ashura. He
said, "When you seen the new moon of Muharram count the (days) and (begin
to) observe fast on the 9th." I said to him: "Is it how the Holy Messenger
of Allah (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) observed the fast?" He said, "Yes."
[Sahih Muslim]

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radiyallahu 'anh) relates that when the Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) said: "If I survive till next year, I will
definitely observe fast on the 9th of Muharram (as well)." [Sahih Muslim]

(Note: What the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) meant was that
he would also fast on the 9th as well as the 10th to which he was
accustomed. We also should try fasting on the 9th and the 10th of Muharram.)

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radiyallahu 'anh) reports that the Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) arrived in Madinah and found the Jews
observing fast on the day of 'Ashura... They said: "It is the day of great
(significance) when Allah delivered Hazrat Musa ('Alaihis-Salaam) and his
people and drowned Pharoah and his people, and Sayyidina Musa
('Alaihis-Salaam) observed fast out of gratitude. And we also observe it."
...so Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu 'alayhi wa Sallam) observed fast (on the
day of 'Ashura) and gave us orders to observe it. [Sahih Bukhari and Muslim]

Worship Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) as much as you can on 'Ashura. Whoever
fasts on this day is like one who fasts all his life. Whoever clothes a
naked person Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) will release him from a painful
punishment. He who visits a sick person, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) will
grant him a reward that will not be decreased. Whoever places his hand on an
orphan's head, or feeds a hungry person or gives water to a thirsty man,
Allah will feed him a feast from Paradise and will quench his thirst with
Salsabil (a wine that does not intoxicate). And who ever takes a Ghusl on
this day will enjoy excellent health and freedom from sickness and
indolence. Whoever provides generously for his family on this day, Allah
(Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) will be generous to him throughout this year. And
whoever applies Kuhl to his eyes will never suffer from eye-sore again,
inSha'Allah al-Aziz

O' Allah! Bless us to perform good deeds and gain their reward on 'Ashura.
Make the new year one of unity, cooperation and success for Muslims in this
city and around the world. Ameen.

from http://www.sunnah.org

http://www.naqshbandi.org