Last updated on January 5th, 2026 at 10:36 pm

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. Accordingly, Muslims are required to fast continuously for the entire month of Ramadan. However, fasting is not limited to the month of Ramadan. Muslims can fast even out of Ramadan, whenever they like, with the exception of some days, such as the day of Eid al-Fitr. On the other hand, fasting on some other days is highly significant and brings huge rewards. The Day of Ashura is one of those virtuous days, when fasting is a highly recommended act of worship.

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is an obligatory (Fard) worship, whereas observing fast out of Ramadan falls under the category of an optional (Nafl) act of worship. Fasting on the Day of Ashura also falls in the category of Nafl (Optional) worship. Although fasting on the Day of Ashura is a well-established tradition and Sunnah, it has been a subject of debate among scholars since the early days of Islam, whether one should fast only on Ashura or also on the day before or after it.

In this article, we will explore the facts about this important but sensitive question, supported by authentic Hadiths and strong traditions.

Significance of Fasting on The Day of Ashura

The 10th of Moharram (first month of the Islamic calendar) is traditionally known as “Ashura – عَاشُورَاء”. Linguistically, the Arabic word Ashura translates to “tenth”, whereas traditionally and historically, it refers to the 10th of Moharram, in the Islamic World.

Per some strong traditions, Ashura holds a huge significance in Islam as it was the day when Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى saved the Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ and his people (children of Israel) from Pharaoh. Pharaoh and his men were drowned in the sea, whereas the children of Israel safely crossed it. Accordingly, this was considered a highly virtuous day among Jews, even before the inception of Islam, and they used to fast on the 10th of Moharram to commemorate it. According to some other traditions, the Ark of the Prophet Nuh عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ landed on this day, after the historic flood. It is also believed that the Prophet Adam عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was also forgiven by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى on this very day.

However, the tradition of the Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ and his people being saved from Pharaoh on this day holds a significant status in Islam. After the Hijrat-e-Madinah, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ observed that Jews of Madinah used to fast on this day. When the Prophet enquired why they do so, they said the Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ and Bani Israel (Children of Israel) were saved from Pharaoh on this day; hence we fast to commemorate it.  The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ said that Muslims have more right on the Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, so he fasted on the Day of Ahura.

This tradition is mentioned in Hadith 2004 of Sahih Al-Bukhari as follows:

Translation:

The Prophet (ﷺ) came to Medina and saw the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura. He asked them about that. They replied, “This is a good day, the day on which Allah rescued Bani Israel from their enemy. So, Moses fasted this day.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “We have more claim over Moses than you.” So, the Prophet fasted on that day and ordered (the Muslims) to fast (on that day).

So, the the Hadith quoted above marks the beginning of fasting on the Day of Ashura in Islamic history. Fasting on the Day of Ashur was obligatory in the earlier days, but it was made optional when fasting in the month of Ramadan was made Fard (Obligatory). Hadith 2001 of Sahih Al-Bukhari narrates it as follows:

Translation:

Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) ordered (the Muslims) to fast on the day of ‘Ashura’, and when fasting in the month of Ramadan was prescribed, it became optional for one to fast on that day (‘Ashura’) or not.

Likewise, it is also mentioned in the Hadith that fasting on the Day of Ashura expiates sins. Hadith 1162b of Sahih Muslim narrates it as follows:

Translation of relevant part:

He was asked about fasting on the day of ‘Ashura (10th of Muharram), whereupon he said: It expiates the sins of the preceding year.

Similarly, Hadith 1163a of Sahih Muslim narrates the virtues of fasting in the month of Moharram as follows:

Translation:

The most excellent fast after Ramadan is God’s month, al-Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night.

So, the significance of fasting on Ashura (10th of Moharram) can be summarized as follows:

  1. Fasting on Ashura is a strong tradition and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.
  2. Previously, fasting on the Day of Ashura was obligatory, but then it was made optional when fasting in the month of Ramadan was made compulsory.
  3. Fasting on the Day of Ashura expiates the sins of the previous year.

Can I Fast Only on Ashura Without Fasting Before or After?

While fasting on Ashura is a well-established Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, traditions also narrate that fasting another day with it is highly virtuous. In this context, scholarly opinion is that fasting consecutively on the 9th and 10th of Moharram or the 10th and 11th of Moharram holds great significance.

Scholars also suggest that the purpose behind adding another day with fasting on Ashura was aimed at distinguishing Islamic worship from the traditions of Jews, who had been fasting only on the Day of Ashura, i.e., the 10th of Moharram, to commemorate the event of the salvation of Bani Israel from Pharaoh. Hadiths 1134a and 1134b of Sahih Muslim support this viewpoint as follows:

Translation

  • 1134a – Ibn ‘Abbas reported that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) fasted on the day of ‘Ashura and commanded that it should be observed as a fast, they (his Companions) said to him: Messenger of Allah, it is a day which the Jews and Christians hold in high esteem. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: When the next year comes, God willing, we would observe fast on the 9th But the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) died before the advent of the next year.
  • 1143b – Abdullah b ‘Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had said: If I live till the next (year), I would definitely observe fast on the 9th, and the narration transmitted by Abu Bakr is:” He meant the day of Ashura.”

According to the above-quoted Hadiths, two things are quite sufficiently evidenced:

  1. Fasting on the Day of Ashura is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.
  2. The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ expressed his firm intention of fasting on the 9th of Moharram, but could not do so as he passed away before that day next year.
  3. The Prophet expressed his intention to add another day’s fasting to the Day of Ashura, to distinguish Islamic practices from those of Jews and Christians.

Accordingly, the majority consensus among the scholars is that if, for some reason, fasting on the 9th of Moharram was missed, Muslims can join fasting on the 11th with the 10th of Moharram.

Accordingly, the scholarly opinion in the context of this important question, “Can I fast only on Ashura without fasting before or after?” can be summarized as follows:

  • Fasting only on the Day of Ashura, without fasting before or after, is permissible.
  • Adding an additional day of fasting to the Day of Ashura is highly meritorious.
  • Fasting consecutively on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of Moharram is the best practice.
  • Fasting on the 9th and 10th of Moharram is a highly virtuous act, as it is the most emphasized act of following the Sunnah of the Prophet.
  • Fasting on the 10th and 11th of Moharram is also permissible in the context of distinguishing Islamic practices from those of Jews and Christians.

Conclusion

While fasting in the month of Ramadan is included in the five pillars of Islam, fasting on the Day of Ashura is considered the most virtuous fasting, out of the month of Ramadan. The importance of fasting on Ashura can be understood by the fact that it was previously made compulsory for Muslims, but subsequently made optional when fasting in Ramadan was made obligatory.

The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ fasted on Ashura and later on expressed his strong intention to fast also on the 9th of Moharram, next year. So, adding another day’s fasting with Ashura (10th of Moharram) is also seen and followed as an act of Sunnah, preferably the 9th of Moharram. Accordingly, it is permissible either to fast only on the Day of Ashura or add fasting on the 9th or 11th of Moharram with it. There is nothing wrong with fasting only on the Day of Ashura without fasting a day before or after.

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