5 Virtues Of The Fasts Of Muharram and ‘Aashura'

No matter how lazy Satan makes you feel, read this article from the beginning to the end with the intention of earning reward. اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه عَزَّوَجَلَّ, your heart will thrive with the admiration of the blessed Ahl-e-Bayt (the households of the Beloved and Blessed Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم).

Excellence of reciting Salat-‘Alan-Nabi صَلَّی اللّٰہ تعالٰی علیہ واٰلہٖ وسلَّم

The Prophet of mankind, the Peace of our heart and mind, the most Generous and Kind صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said:
         "When the day of Thursday approaches, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ sends His angels who have papers made of silver and pens made of gold. They inscribe the names of those who extensively recite Salat during the day of Thursday and the night before Friday [i.e. Thursday night]".
         (Kanz-ul-‘Ummal, vol. 1, Page 250, Hadith 2174)

5 Virtues of the fasts of Muharram and ‘Aashura':

1. It is narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَالٰی عَـنْهُ that the Prophet of Rahmah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated:
           "Leaving Ramadan, the fast of Muharram is the most superior, and the most superior Salah after the Fard Salah is Salat-ul-Layl (i.e. Nawafil offered during the night)".
       (Sahih Muslim, Page 591, Hadith 1163)

2. The Greatest and Holiest Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated: 
                      "The fast of every day of Muharram is equivalent to the fasts of one month".
              (Al-Mu’jam-us-Sagheer, vol. 2, Page 87, Hadith 1580)

            The fast of ‘Aashura'

3. Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُمَا has stated:
               "I never saw the Noble Prophet  صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم so enthusiastic to observe fast highlighting excellence to any day as much as he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would for the day of ‘Aashura and the month of Ramadan".
               (Sahih Bukhari, vol. 1, Page 657, Hadith 2006)

                Oppose the Jews

4. The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated:
          "Observe fast on the day of ‘Aashura, and oppose the Jews in this by observing an additional fast one day before or one day after  it". 
           (Musnad Imam Ahmad, vol. 1, Page 518, Hadith 2154)
       Whenever one is to observe the fast of ‘Aashura, it is better for him to fast on either the 9thor 11th of Muharram in addition.

5. It has been reported by Sayyiduna Abu Qatadah رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ that the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said:
         "I expect from Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ that fast on ‘Aashura' removes the sins of the previous year".  
       (Sahih Muslim, Page 590, Hadith 1162)

Hafiz Muhammad Ehsan Bashir, 1st year MBBS, Nishtar Medical College, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan.