[FONT=verdana][COLOR=#333333][B][U][COLOR=#333333]The Fast of ‘Ashura (The 10th of Muharram) is on Tuesday (6th Dec)[/COLOR][/U][/B][COLOR=#333333]

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The blessed day of Ashura (10th of Muharram) will be on Tuesday (6th Dec) in the UK. It is recommended to fast a day before or a day after the day of Ashura as well so that we can be different from the Jews who fast only on the day of Ashura.

[B]So we can fast: [COLOR=#ff0000]Monday the 5th of December (9th of Muharram) & Tuesday 6th of Dec (10th of Muharram) [/COLOR]or [COLOR=#ff0000]

[/COLOR][COLOR=#ff0000]Tues 6th of December (10th of Muharram) & Wednesday 7th of December (11th of Muharram).[/COLOR][COLOR=#ff0000]
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For the[/COLOR][COLOR=#333333]UK[/COLOR][/B][B][COLOR=#333333] the Sehri and Iftar times for the 9th, 10th and 11th of Muharram are:[/COLOR][/B]

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9th Muharram: Sehri ends: [/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]6:03 am[/COLOR][COLOR=#ff0000] Iftar is: [/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]3:52 pm
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10th Muharram: Sehri ends: [/B][/COLOR][COLOR=#000000][B]6:04 am[/B][/COLOR][COLOR=#ff0000][B] Iftar is: [/B][/COLOR][COLOR=#000000][B]3:52 pm

[/B][/COLOR][COLOR=#ff0000][B]11th Muharram: Sehri ends: [/B][/COLOR][COLOR=#000000][B]6:05 am[/B][/COLOR][COLOR=#ff0000][B] Iftar is: [/B][/COLOR][COLOR=#000000][B]3:52 pm

[/B][/COLOR][U][COLOR=#000000][B]The Virtues of fasting on the day of Ashura[/B]

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[/COLOR][/B][COLOR=#333333]Mu’awiyah ibn Abu Sufyan (Ra) relates: I heard the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) say:[/COLOR][COLOR=red] "It is the day of ‘Ashura. Allah 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."[/COLOR][B][B][COLOR=#333333][Sahih Muslim]

[/COLOR][/B][COLOR=#333333]A whole year of sins forgiven for fasting on the day of Ashura:

[/COLOR][/B][COLOR=#333333]Abu Qatada (Ra) [/COLOR]relates that the Prophet (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Sallim) said:[COLOR=red]The fast on the 10th of Muharram atones for the sins of the preceding year. [/COLOR][COLOR=#333333][B][Sahih Muslim]

Fasting the 9th of Muharram as well as the 10th:

[/B][/COLOR][COLOR=#333333]Ibn Abbas (Ra) relates that when the Prophet (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Sallim) said: [/COLOR][COLOR=red]"If I survive till next year, I will definitely observe fast on the 9th of Muharram (as well)." [/COLOR][B][COLOR=#333333][Sahih Muslim] [/COLOR][/B][COLOR=#333333]

[B]Note[/B]: This indicates that it is preferred to fast the 9th as well as the 10th of Muharram, however one can still fast 10th and 11th or even all 3. The more one fasts in the month of Muharram the more rewards one can gain:

[COLOR=#333333]Abu Huraira (Ra) reports that the Prophet (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Sallim) said: [/COLOR][COLOR=#ff0000]A[/COLOR][COLOR=red]fter Ramadan, the fasts of Muharram have the greatest excellence.[/COLOR][COLOR=#333333] [B][Sahih Muslim] [/B]
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[/COLOR][COLOR=#333333][U][B]The Historical Significance of ‘Ashura[/B]

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[/COLOR][COLOR=black]Ibn Abbas (RA) reports that the Prophet (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Sallim) arrived in Madinah and found the Jews observing fast on the day of ‘Ashura… [B]They said:[/B][/COLOR][COLOR=red]"It is the day of great (significance) when Allah delivered Musa ('Alaihis-Salaam) and his people and drowned Pharoah and his people, and Musa ('Alaihis-Salaam) observed fast out of gratitude. And we also observe it." [/COLOR][B]The Prophet (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim) responded:[/B][COLOR=red]"We have more right, and we have closer connection with Musa ('Alaihis-Salaam) than you have"; so Allah’s Messenger (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim) observed fast (on the day of ‘Ashura) and gave us orders to observe it.[/COLOR][COLOR=#333333] [B][Sahih Bukhari and Muslim]

[/B]May Allah enable us to benefit from fasting on these days and make us closer to him throughout the year. Ameen
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