The Levels of Fasting in Muharram

As it is well known in the Hadith that the Prophet ﷺ ordered us to avoid similarities with the non-Muslims (such as the Jews and the christians), the prophet advised us to combine the fast of ‘Ashura’ (tenth day of Muharram) with a fast before it or after it so as to be different from the Jews who used to fast on the day of ‘Ashura’ alone.

Ibnu ‘Abbas says the Prophet ﷺ said: Fast on the day of ‘Ashura’ and do other than what Jews do, (so) fast a day before or after it (as well). [Ahmad].

However, the one who singles out ‘Ashura’ by fasting only on the tenth day is not a sinner as scholars such as Ibn Al-Qayyim in Zaad al-Ma’ad and Ibn Hajar in Fat’hul Baari, have categorized the fasting of ‘Ashura’ on different levels.

Below are some of the levels in which we can fast ‘Ashura’:

Worth noting that, unlike Ibn Qayyim and Ibn Hajar, who both mentioned 3 levels, the categorisation below is that of Ibn Uthaymeen in one of his audio sessions:

First level (Fasting on the ninth and fasting on the tenth of Muharram): This means that the one who intends to fast ‘Ashura’ will combine it with the fast of Tasu’a’ (the ninth day of Muharram). Ibn ‘Abbas says: When the prophet ﷺ was fasting on the ‘Ashura’ and ordered others to fast it, people said: O Prophet, this is the day that Jews and Christians value, so the prophet (may the peace and blessings of AllAh be upon him) said, so next year God willing we will fast on the 9th (as well). Ibnu ‘Abbas says that the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) passed away before the year after. [Muslim].

Second level ( Fasting on the tenth day and the eleventh day): This is done by fasting on the day of ‘Ashura’ and fasting on the day that follows it, which is the eleventh day of Muharram. This is the view of some of the Mālikiyyahs.

Third level (Fasting on the day of ‘Ashura’ alone): This view is held by some of the Hanafi scholars.

Fourth level (Fasting on the ninth, tenth and eleventh of Muharram): This level is considered the best, as it combines fasting on the three days.

May Allah grant us the ability to follow the Sunnah faithfully and accept our fasts, especially on these blessed days of Muharram. Let us use these days to draw closer to Him, seek forgiveness, and renew our commitment to righteous deeds. May our fasting be a source of purification for our souls and a means of attaining His mercy and blessings. Ameen.