Islamic calendar 4 min read
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar, and it is one of the four sacred months. Ashura is the 10th day of Muharram. The Prophet ﷺ fasted on this day and encouraged Muslims to fast it, and he hoped that Allah would accept it as an expiation for the sins of the previous year, which scholars understand as minor sins.
Muharram begins the Hijri year, and it is one of the sacred months named in the Quran (Quran 9:36). The Prophet ﷺ called it the month of Allah and said that the best fasting after Ramadan is fasting in this month (Sahih Muslim 1163).
The month is a calm time for reflection. Many Muslims use the start of the new year to review their habits and make a fresh plan for worship.
Ashura is the 10th day of Muharram. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that Quraysh used to fast it in the Jahiliyyah and that the Prophet ﷺ also fasted it. When he came to Madinah he fasted it and told the people to fast it (Sahih al-Bukhari 2002). Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ saw the Jewish people of Madinah fasting on this day. They told him it was the day on which Allah saved Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) and his people and gave them victory over Pharaoh (Sahih Muslim 1130, Sahih al-Bukhari 2004). The Prophet ﷺ said that the Muslims have a closer claim to Musa than they do, and he fasted that day and told his companions to fast it.
When fasting Ramadan was made obligatory, the fast of Ashura became voluntary: whoever wished could fast it and whoever wished could leave it (Sahih al-Bukhari 2002, Sahih Muslim 1125). It remains a highly recommended sunnah.
It is recommended to fast the 10th. Sahih Muslim (1134) reports that when people told the Prophet ﷺ that the Jews and Christians honor this day, he said that if he lived to the next year he would fast the 9th as well. He passed away before the next year came. This is why scholars encourage fasting the 9th and 10th together, to differ from the practice of the Jews and Christians. Some scholars also mention fasting the 10th and the 11th as a precaution in case the start of the month was miscounted. This is a scholarly view, and the narration that mentions fasting a day before or after it is disputed.
You can choose from these options:
The exact date depends on the moon sighting in your country, so check your local Hijri calendar. Ask a local scholar if you have questions about the intention or the rules of voluntary fasting.
Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said about fasting the day of Ashura: "I hope from Allah that it will expiate the year before it" (Sahih Muslim 1162). Scholars explain that this refers to minor sins. Major sins need sincere repentance. This is a hope based on Allah's generosity, so a believer should fast with sincerity and keep asking for forgiveness.
In mainstream Sunni teaching, the authentic practice for Ashura is fasting. Remembering Allah and giving charity are good in every month, but no special ritual for this day was reported. Many other practices are attributed to this day, such as special prayers, special foods or adornment, but no authentic report supports them. Mourning rituals, and also celebrations or festivities, were not taught by the Prophet ﷺ for this day, so they are not part of the authentic practice. Muslims are encouraged to keep to what was reported from him.
This is said with respect. Muharram is a month in which many Muslims remember painful events in history, and all Muslims honor the family of the Prophet ﷺ. Different communities have their own traditions, and this article only describes what the authentic reports establish. Please ask a qualified scholar if you have questions about your own situation.
General information for learning, not a fatwa. For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar.
Updated 7 October 2026
Fasting only the 10th is accepted, but it is better to add the 9th. The Prophet ﷺ said he would fast the 9th as well if he lived to the next year. Some scholars also add the 11th.
Abu Qatadah reported in Sahih Muslim that the Prophet ﷺ hoped Allah would expiate the sins of the previous year by it. Scholars understand this as minor sins, and repentance is still needed for major sins.
