#Islam #Sunni #Ashura2012 #PrayForTheUmmah ~ Bismillah ~ #Salaam everyone :) Do you know what Ashura is and the meaning? In Islam it's important to know what it is. http://publicholiday.org/calendar/ashura/ Here's more accurate info about the Ashura. The first day of the Islamic new year is called Muharram and so the 10th day of Muharram is called Ashura. Ashura basically means the number 10 in Arabic. So we (Sunni Muslims) fast either the day before Ashura or the day after it along of course with the day of Ashura. This will explain it and the meaning for why we fast on the 9th day of Muharram, and 10th (Ashura) or 10th, and 11th day, or all 3 days. When you fast on Ashura, Allah (SWT) will insha 'Allah erase your sins from the previous year. So if the 1st day of the new year (Muharram) was on the 15th, then u can fast on the 9th day which is on Friday the 23rd and the 10th day (Ashura) Saturday the 24th, or the 24th and Sunday the 25th, or all 3 days, however u want but as long as it's not the Ashura day on it's own. Verily, the number of months with ALLAH is twelve months (in a year) so was it ordained by ALLAH on the day, when he created the Heaven and the Earth; of them four are Sacred - that is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein.." [Soorah at-Tawbah (9): 36] Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu 'Alayhi Wa-Sallam) said: "The year is twelve months of which four are sacred, the three consecutive ... months of Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab, which comes between Jumada and Shaban." (Reported by Bukhari) Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu 'Alayhi Wa-Sallam) said: "The best of fasting after Ramadan is fasting ALLAH's month of Muharram." (Reported by Muslim) THE MOST VIRTUOUS DAY OF MUHARRAM The most virtuous day of this month is the Day of Ashura - the tenth of Muharram. The word Ashura means simply tenth in Arabic; hence the name of the remembrance, literally translated, means "the tenth day". The Day of Ashura is on the 10th day of Muharram in the Islaamic calendar and marks the climax of the Remembrance of Muharram. The tenth day of Muharram is called Yaumul- 'Ashura, meaning, 'the tenth day', and it is a day of voluntary fasting. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was asked about fasting on the Day of Ashura (10th of Muharram). He answered: "It atones for the sins of the preceding year." (Reported by Muslim) "Fasting the day of Ashura (is of great merits). I hope that ALLAH (SWT) will accept it as an expiation for (the sins committed in) the previous year." (Reported by Muslim) Also, Ibn Abbas (Radhi Allahu 'anhu) narrated: "When ALLAH's Messenger (SallAllahu 'Alayhi Wa-Sallam) observed the fast of the day of Ashura and ordered (the Sahabah) to fast, they said: "O Messenger of ALLAH! It is a day revered by Jews and Christians." ALLAH's Messenger (PBUH) said: "The coming year, if ALLAH wills, we will fast on the ninth (also). But the Messenger of ALLAH (peace be upon him) died before the advent of the next year " [Saheeh Muslim, vol: 1, p: 359] Ibn Abbas (Radhi Allahu 'anhu) also reported: "I never saw the Prophet more keen to fast on any day other than the day of Aashooraa and any month than the month of Ramadaan." [Saheeh al-Bukharee] The day of Ashura is mercy from ALLAH and an opportunity for one to get his sins forgiven. It is recommended for the Muslim Ummah to fast both the tenth and the ninth of Muharram since ALLAH's Messenger (PBUH) fasted the tenth and intended to fast the ninth. It is better to fast the day before it or the day after it. This is the Sunnah that is proven from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), as he said, “If I am still alive next year, I will certainly fast the ninth.” Narrated by Muslim, 1134. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: He meant, along with the tenth. And Allah (SWT) is the Source of Strength of all Power ♥ Al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wa’l-Ifta’, 11/401.