Adding a fast with the fast of Aa’shura
Question:-
I came across the following Q & A:
How should the fast of the 10th of Muharram be kept?
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam advised keeping an additional fast a day before, or a day after the 10th, as the Jews fasted on the 10th only. It is necessary that Muslims be distinct and in contrast to the practice of non-Muslims.
My question is, “If this fast is no longer the practice of the non-Muslims, will it still be necessary to keep two fasts, or will one fast suffice?”
Answer:-
Although the practice of fasting amongst the Jews may not be common in this day and age, then, too, we are required to follow the teachings of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam and oppose their ways (even though it may have been prevalent in the past). It is perhaps on this basis that the Fuqaha (such as Allama Shaami Rahimahullah) have written that it is Makrooh to fast only on the 10th of Muharram. One will, therefore, be required to fast on either the 9th and 10th of Muharram or, the 10th and 11th of Muharram.
Also, there are many other aspects of Deen where we contradict the Jews even in this day and age such as, partaking of Sehri, hastening with the Iftaar and the Imaam not standing alone in the Mehraab of the Masjid and leading the congregational Salaah whilst the congregation stands far behind etc. The Jews would not partake of Sehri, they would delay the Iftaar until the twinkling of the stars was visible, and their Imaam would be afforded a lofty pedestal to lead the Salaah which would indicate towards his superiority over others. Hence, the command of opposing them in all these matters of Deen, remain even up to this very day.
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: لا يزال الدين ظاهرًا ما عجل الناس الفطر، لأن اليهود والنصارى يؤخرون (رواه ابو داود)
عن عمرو بن العاص، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إن فصل ما بين صيامنا وصيام أهل الكتاب أكلة السحور (سنن النسائي)
عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ عُلَيٍّ قَالَ النَّوَوِيُّ هُوَ بِضَمِّ الْعَيْنِ عَلَى الْمَشْهُورِ إِنَّ فَصْلَ مَا بَيْنَ صِيَامِنَا وَصِيَامِ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ أَكْلَةُ السُّحُورِ قَالَ النَّوَوِيُّ مَعْنَاهُ الْفَارِقُ وَالْمُمَيِّزُ بَيْنَ صِيَامِنَا وَصِيَامِهِمُ السُّحُورُ فَإِنَّهُمْ لَا يَتَسَحَّرُونَ وَنَحْنُ نَتَسَحَّرُ فَيُسْتَحَبُّ لَنَا السُّحُورُ (حاشية السيوطي علي سنن النسائي – كتاب الصوم ص146 ج4)
امام تنہا محراب میں کھڑا ہو ، یا اونچی جکہ میں کھڑا ہو ، یا کسی خاص جکہ میں کھڑا ہو اور اس کے ساتھ کوئی آدمی نہ ہو ، جس سے یہ ظاھر ہوتا ہو کہ وہ بلکل الگ تھلگ ہے تو یہ مکروہ ہے ، کیونکہ یہود یوں کی طرح الگ شان شوکت والا معلوم ہوتا ہے (ثمرة النجاح ص345)
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:-
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 09 Muharram 1444 / 08 August 2022