before it and the year after it" (5). And he said regarding the fasting of 'Ashura: "I anticipate from Allah that He will expiate the year that precedes it." Recorded by Muslim (6). Once this is established, 'Ashura is the tenth day of al-Muharram. This is the opinion of Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab and al-Hasan, based on what Ibn 'Abbas narrated, saying: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ordered the fasting of the day of 'Ashura, the tenth of al-Muharram. Recorded by (7) al-Tirmidhi (8), who said: A Hasan Sahih hadith. It was also narrated from Ibn 'Abbas that he said: The ninth. It was also narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to fast the ninth. Recorded by Muslim with that meaning (9). 'Ata' narrated from him that he said: "Fast the ninth and the tenth, and do not resemble the Jews" (10). Once this is established, it is recommended to fast the ninth and the tenth for that reason. Ahmad stated this clearly. It is also the opinion of Ishaq. Ahmad said: If the beginning of the month is unclear to him, he should fast three days. He only does this to be certain of fasting the ninth and the tenth.
Section: There is a difference of opinion regarding the fasting of 'Ashura: was it obligatory? The Qadi held the view that it was not.
(5) Recorded by Muslim, in: The Chapter on the Recommendation of Fasting Three Days..., from the Book of Fasting. Sahih Muslim 2/819. And Abu Dawud, in: The Chapter on Fasting the Whole Year Voluntarily, from the Book of Fasting, Sunan Abi Dawud 1/565. And al-Tirmidhi, in: The Chapter on What Has Been Reported Regarding the Virtue of Fasting the Day of 'Arafah, from the Chapters on Fasting. 'Aridat al-Ahwadhi 3/282. And Ibn Majah, in: The Chapter on Fasting the Day of 'Arafah, from the Book of Fasting. Sunan Ibn Majah 1/551. And Imam Ahmad, in: Al-Musnad 5/295, 304, 307. (6) In: The Chapter on the Recommendation of Fasting Three Days..., from the Book of Fasting. Sahih Muslim 2/819. Also recorded by Abu Dawud, in: The Chapter on Fasting the Whole Year Voluntarily, from the Book of Fasting. Sunan Abi Dawud 1/565. And al-Tirmidhi, in: The Chapter on What Has Been Reported Regarding the Encouragement to Fast the Day of 'Ashura, from the Chapters on Fasting. 'Aridat al-Ahwadhi 3/284. (7) In [M]: "narrated it". (8) In: The Chapter on What Has Been Reported Regarding 'Ashura, Which Day It Is, from the Chapters on Fasting. 'Aridat al-Ahwadhi 3/286. (9) In: The Chapter on Which Day Should Be Fasted During 'Ashura, from the Book of Fasting. Sahih Muslim 2/797. (10) Recorded by al-Tirmidhi, in: The Chapter on What Has Been Reported Regarding 'Ashura, Which Day It Is, from the Chapters on Fasting. 'Aridat al-Ahwadhi 3/287. And al-Bayhaqi, in: The Chapter on Fasting the Ninth Day, from the Book of Fasting. Al-Sunan al-Kubra 4/287. And 'Abd al-Razzaq, in: The Chapter on Fasting the Day of 'Ashura, from the Book of Fasting. Al-Musannaf 4/287.
