Fasting
on Muharram 10, known as the Day of 'Ashura', expiates for the sins of
the past year. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
arrived in Madinah he found that the Jews there fasted on Muharram 10
and asked them the reason for their fasting on this day. They said,"
This is a blessed day. On this day Allah saved the Children of Israel
from their enemy (in Egypt) and so Prophet Musa [Moses] fasted on this
day giving thanks to Allah
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
"We are closer to Musa than you are."
He
fasted on that day and commanded Muslims to fast on this day.
(Al-Bukhari) The following year, Allah commanded the Muslims to fast the
month of Ramadan, and the fasting of 'Ashura' became optional. It is
also reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
intended to fast on the ninth and tenth. Ibn 'Abbas reported: The
Messenger of Allah fasted on the day of 'Ashura' and ordered the people
to fast on it. The people said, "O Messenger of Allah, it is a day that
the Jews and Christians honor." The Prophet said, "When the following
year comes, Allah willing, we shall fast on the ninth." The death of the
Prophet came before the following year. (Muslim and Abu Dawud)