What Is Ashura Day? 10 Muharram Date, History, Events [2023]

Summary

What is the date of Ashura Day (10th Muharram) in 2023?	Saudi Arabia – Friday, 28th July Pakistan – Saturday 29th July India – Saturday 29th July Bangladesh – Saturday 29th July United Kingdom – Friday, 28th July Canada – Friday 28th July
What should we do on Ashura?	Fast, recite Quran, offer nafl prayers, give charity, and have a better dinner with your family than usual.
Is Muharram a cursed month?	No, it is a blessed month, called the Month Of Allah in hadith
Is Ashura sacred because of Imam Hussain’s martyrdom?	Hazrat Hussain’s martyrdom is an extremely sad incident. But Ashura has been observed for thousands of years and has nothing to do with it directly.

Ashura Day is among the most significant days of the Islamic calendar and has been mentioned in multiple Hadith of Rasoolullah ﷺ.

However, despite being such a big occasion, there are numerous misconceptions about the day of Ashura, why it is important, what actually happened on it, and how to observe it as a Muslim.

So, in this article, we’ll give you a brief history of Youm e Ashura and try to separate reality from myth so that you can observe this day in accordance with the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Let’s get started.

What Is Ashura Day [Youm e Ashura]?

Ashura Day, also called Youm e Ashura, is among the most blessed days of the Islamic calendar for various reasons. It comes on the 10th of Muharram in the Islamic calendar and is observed worldwide across the Muslim Ummah, irrespective of sects and countries.

Sunni Muslims celebrate Ashura because Prophet Muhammad ﷺ considered Muharram a blessed month and emphasized fasting during it.

Muslims are encouraged to observe fasting on 10 Muharram and offer additional prayers and charity.

Shia Muslims observe Ashura as a day of mourning mainly because of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain رضي الله عنه by Yazid and his forces.

However, Youm e Ashura has always been a significant day since the times of Prophet Adam and has been the day of numerous historical events.

What Is The Youm e Ashura Date In 2023?

Ashura Day (Youm e Ashura) is observed on the 10th of Muharram every Islamic year. In the Gregorian calendar, it will be observed on the following dates around the world.

• Saudi Arabia – Friday, 28th July
• Pakistan – Saturday 29th July
• India – Saturday 29th July
• Bangladesh – Saturday 29th July
• United Kingdom – Friday, 28th July
• Canada – Friday 28th July

These are estimated dates assuming the month of Zil Hajj has 30 days this year. However, do check with your mosques and follow your local moonsighting dates for the correct day of Ashura.

Is Ashura Day A Holiday In Muslim Countries?

Yes, 10 Muharram, the Day of Ashura, is observed as a holiday across the Muslim world. In Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and many other countries, people skip work and indulge themselves in additional nafl prayers on the day of Ashura.

Youm e Ashura Ki Fazilat Aur Aamaal (Urdu/Hindi)

Youm e Ashura ki fazilat aur is main karnay ke masnoon amaal see mutalliq ye intihaee mufeed bayan hai Urdu zaban main.

Is main Ashura kay din ke sunnat amaal aur iski fazilat see mutalliq tafseel see bataya gaya hai.

Why Muharram Is A Sacred Month?

Some people believe Muharram is a special month because of the martyrdom of Syedna Imam Hussain.

That isn’t correct.

Muharram has a special place in Islam from the very beginning.

Scholars have mentioned four main reasons for it.

1. Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It marks the beginning of the Islamic year, therefore, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has emphasized spending this month in prayer.

2. Muharram, along with Rajab, Zul Qaadha, and Zul Hijjah, are the four months Allah SWT has declared as sacred.

3. A Hadith of Rasoolullah ﷺ mentions

 انْ کُنْتَ صَائِمًا بَعْدَ شَھْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَصُمِ الْمُحَرَّمَ فانَّہٗ شَھْرُ اللّٰھِا فِیْہِ یَوْمٌ تَابَ اللہُ فِیْہِ عَلٰی قَوْمٍ وَیَتُوْبُ فِیْہِ عَلٰی قَوْمٍ آخَرِیْنَ

(Tirmizi, 1/157)

Translation:

If you want to fast in a month other than Ramadan, fast in Muharram because it is the Month of Allah (of His special blessings). It includes a day in which Allah SWT accepted the repentance of a nation and He will accept another nations repentance on this day in the future.

4. The above hadith also mentions that Muharram is a month of Allah’s special blessings, another reason for its significance in Islam.

Ashura History, Events, & Importance | What Happened On 10 Muharram?

So, what exactly happened on Ashura, 10th Muharram, and why is it important in the first place?

Historians and scholars have listed a long list of events that have happened on Ashura (10th Muharram) over thousands of years.

Here’s a quick list of some of the most prominent events that took place on 10th Muharram (Source)

1- Hazrat Imam Hussain رضي الله عنه, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, was martyred along with his family on the day of Ashura by Yazid’s forces.

2- 10th Muharram was the day Allah SWT created Adam عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ

3- Allah SWT accepted Adam’s عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ tauba on Ashura day.

4- Allah SWT saved Hazrat Nuh’s عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ship (Noah’s ark) and helped it reach Judi mountain.

5- Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was given the title of Khalilullah (Allah’s friend) on the day of Ashura when Allah helped him survive in a fire.

6- Ismail عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was born on the day of Ashura

7- Yusuf عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was released from prison on Ashura

8- Yusuf عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ reunited with his father, Yaqoob عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ on Ashura after many year.

9- Allah SWT helped Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ and his nation, Bani Israeel, get indepdence from Firoun.

10- Torah was revealed to Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ on Ashura

11- Hazrat Suleman عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was made king on Ashura

12- Ayyub عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ finally got healed from his disease after many years on the day of Ashura

13- Yunus عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was finally freed by the fish, who had swallowed him, on the day of Ashura.

14- Isa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was born on the day of Ashura.

15- Isa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was lifted to the skies on the day of Ashura

16- Prophet Muhammad ﷺ married his first wife, the mother of the believers, Khadija رضي الله عنها on the day of Ashura.

17- The Day of Judgment (qayamat) will happen on 10th Muharram, Ashura.

Remember that many of these events have been narrated by historians and scholars of religious history. However, most of them have weak sources, so it is possible that they’re not entirely correct.

Ashura Day, Imam Hussain & Karbala | The Painful History

The most well-known incident of the day of Ashura is the martyrdom of Imam Hussain رضي الله عنه and his family by Yazid’s forces in the city of Karbala.

It was one of the most tragic incidents in Islamic history when Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ most beloved grandson was mercilessly martyred along with his family after days of starvation.

Yazid, the ruler at that time, wanted Imam Hussain رضي الله عنه to endorse his claim to the throne. However, Hazrat Hussain رضي الله عنه knew Yazid was a fasiq and did not deserve to rule Muslims.

Seeing Imam Hussain as a threat to his rule, Yazid declared him a traitor and martyred him along with his family.

Despite this injustice, Yazid couldn’t rule for long and is remembered in history as a tyrant and fasiq. On the other hand, Imam Hussain رضي الله عنه is an example for anyone striving for justice and combatting tyranny. He continues to inspire people around the world.

This sad incident happened in the city of Karbala on the Day of Ashura, 10th Muharram. Because this incident is so well-known, many people believe Muharram and Ashura are sacred because of Hazrat Hussain’s رضي الله عنه martyrdom.

But the truth is different.

It is an indication of Hazrat Hussain’s رضي الله عنه high ranks that Allah SWT blessed him with martyrdom on the day of Ashura.

According to Hadith, Hazrat Hussain رضي الله عنه, along with his brother Hassan رضي الله عنه (both grandsons of the Prophet ﷺ), will be the leaders of the youth in heaven.

May Allah SWT elevate their status and bless us with their company on the day of judgment.

What To Do On 10 Muharram Ashura Day?

So what should you do on the day of Ashura, one of the most sacred days in Islam?

According to various hadith, Muslims should observe Ashura Day by doing the following.

• Fasting: Ashura Day fast is among the most significant in the Islamic year. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has emphasized it and ordered Sahaba to observe it every year. You can read our Ashura Day Fasting guide for more details.
• Extra Prayers: You should offer additional Nafl prayers on the day of Ashura.
• Recitation of the Holy Quran: Recite as much Holy Quran (from anywhere) as possible on the day of Ashura.
• Dua: Ashura is a day for Dua as Allah SWT has forgiven many nations on this day. So, spend a significant part of your day making Dua on Ashura.
• Feasting: It is recommended to spend more on your family and close relatives on the day of Ashura and have better dinner than on regular days.

Myths, Misconceptions, And Bid’aat Of Ashura

Unfortunately, there are numerous misconceptions, myths, and bid’at related to the day of Ashura. In reality, the only things to do on this day are listed in the previous section.

Most other things are myths.

Let me list the most prominent ones.

Mourning On Ashura (Matam And Juloos)

Observing Ashura as a day of mourning because of Imam Hussain’s martyrdom collides with the spirit of Islam. Martyrdom is among the highest statuses one can get.

So, although, Imam Hussain was martyred, he’s still the real victor. There’s nothing wrong in remembering his teachings and achievements, but observing matam, wearing black clothes, and mourning intentionally on this day isn’t from Islam.

Considering Muharram A Cursed Month

As we’ve described in detail, Muharram is a blessed month. There’s no concept of cursed days or months in Islam. Our days or moments become cursed because of our sins only.

Otherwise, all days are equal in Allah’s eyes except for the ones he has elevated Himself.

So, considering Muharram a cursed month is completely wrong and has no basis in Islam.

Not Holding Weddings In Muharram Or Ashura

Many people do not hold weddings in Muharram because they consider it a cursed month and believe their relationship will be cursed as well.

This has nothing to do with Islam.

Nikah is not only permissible on Ashura, and in Muharram, it is a sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Special Namaz And Wazaif

Some people propagate special Nafl prayers on the 10th of Muharram by the name of Namaz e Ashura. There’s no such prayer or namaz mentioned in Hadith.

So, be clear that there’s no specific Nafl prayer, with a unique method, with a special reward for Ashura.

However, since Ashura is a blessed day and you should also fast on it, offering Nafl prayers is a virtuous act. But you can offer Nafl like regular nafils. There’s no specific method or additional reward, as some people claim.

Final Words On Ashura | Is 10 Muharram A Day Of Mourning?

We should be sensitive to the beliefs and sentiments of different groups in Muharram because it is a sensitive topic. However, we should politely educate everyone about the misconceptions and myths related to Muharram.

Muharram is a blessed month that marks the start of the Islamic year. May historic events have taken place in this month, and the sad martyrdom of Hazrat Hussain was one of them.

However, that does not make Muharram a cursed month or a month of mourning.

Instead, as Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has taught us, we should observe fasts in Muharram, make dua, and try to get closer to Allah SWT while staying away from bid’at.