Disclaimer: the intended purpose of this post is not to argue the jurisprudential validity of fasting on the day of Ashura’ in the Sunni or Shii school of thought. Instead, it is to serve as a response to those celebrating the day of Ashura’, especially whilst being intentionally or unintentionally unaware of the events that befell the Prophet’s grandson. Brace yourselves, as Ashura’ dawns upon us, an avalanche of posts will circulate on social media encouraging Muslims to fast. Below is the most popular account cited in support of fasting on the day of Ashura’
Once upon a time, on the tenth day of Muharram, during the Prophet’s first year of migration, as he entered Medina he came across a group of “people of the book” who were fasting in celebration of a festival. The Prophet enquired why they were fasting, to which they responded with "This is a blessed day. On this day, Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy (in Egypt) and so Prophet Moses (as) fasted on this day to give thanks to Allah". After hearing their response, according to a multiple tradition reported, the Prophet of Islam prescribed fasting on Muslims on the day of Ashura’ [1]. To begin with, many of these hadiths have either weak or false chains of narration, despite the fact that they have been narrated in dependable books of Sunni hadiths. However, I would like to succinctly argue the case against fasting on the day of Ashura’ without delving too deeply into the reliability and technicality of hadith literature. Firstly, this claim not clearly contradict the Prophet’s consistent prohibitions against adopting traditions and practices from other religions, but it also has direct and significant ramifications on the legitimacy of Islam. How can we accept that the Prophet adopted the fast of Ashura’ by imitating the customs of people of another religion, while the Almighty God describes His Prophet in His Holy Book saying “He does not speak out of his own desires. It (whatever he says) is a revelation which has been revealed to him.” [53:3-4]. Secondly, linguistically speaking, the word Ashura’ in arabic literature means ‘tenth’. It can be used to refer to the tenth of any month. It was only after the tragic events that befell Imam Hussain (as), his family and companions on the tenth of Muharram that we started recognising tenth of Muharram synonymously with Ashura’. This is an indication that this hadith was forged after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. Moreover, let us suppose that such an incident did take place, in Judaism, Jews organized their traditions around their own calendar. They have their own months which do not synchronise with the Islamic calendar. There is no logic in Muslims fasting on the tenth day of Muharram, unless it could be proven that this date coincided with the same day as the Jewish day of fast. There is no way that the Jewish celebration could have taken place every year on the day of Ashura’ and certainly not in the holy month of Muharram. After over fourteen centuries of the tragedy of Ashura’, not only do we have Muslims being ignorant of these events and showing apathy, unfortunately we have Muslims taking this as a day of rejoicing. Imagine celebrating the day the Prophet’’s own grandson and companions were decapitated, his women paraded and children orphaned. How can we ignore the tribulations that had occurred in our own islamic history? Let us not draw attention away from what the so-called Khalifas of the time committed. Beyond the so called liberating events mentioned above, the day of Ashura’ is one of the most sacred and emotional events in Islam, and it is cetainly a defining religious moment. It marks the tragic anniversary of the death of Imam Hussein (as), the grandson of the prophet Muhammad was killed in battle, along with 72 followers and family members. Ask yourself which side of history are you on?
As Muslims, it is important to be tolerant and respectful of the differences in traditions, customs and practices between our fellow brethren from various different schools of thought. However, what cannot and should not be tolerated is Muslims taking this day as one to celebrate. The fasting of Ashura’ and the merits associated with this tradition are directly serving to cover up for injustices Imam Husayn (as) and his family were subjected to by the Ummayids. Today, the fasting of Ashura’ is presented as a passive tradition, and at times clothed as a jurisprudential matter, however, it is an offensive political strategy and a blatant attempt to shift the focus away from this tragic day. For this reason it is vital to honour this occasion for what it truly is, especially as Muslims, to remember the sacrifice of our Imam. By commemorating , participating in events, remembering this occasion with sadness and sorrow and by spreading the true message of Ashura’ we can preserve the memory of Karbala, so our Imams are not abandoned again.
0 Comments
|
ArchivesCategories |