Significance & Lessons from Muharram & Ashura | Shaykh Abdullah bin Hamid Ali
Channel: Muslim Community Center - MCC East Bay
Date: 2022-08-07

Shaykh Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali gives spiritual insights about the significance of the Day of 'Ashura from Hadith and the significance of events that occurred after the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and what it means to the community today.

- More Sheikh Abdullah: http://mcceastbay.org/abdullah
- More talks & sermons on Muharram: https://mcceastbay.org/muharram

What is the Day of Ashura?
Ashura marks the day that Moses and the Israelites were saved from Pharaoh by God creating a path in the Sea, and is the Islamic equivalent to Yom Kippur.

In Sunni Islam, Ashura follows the traditions of Judaism with a day of fasting - commemorating the parting of the Red Sea for Moses and his followers to escape Pharaoh.

The Prophet Muhammad thought this tradition was worth following so he fasted and encouraged his followers to do the same.

On this day, Muslims fast and celebrate by reflecting, showing respect, and thanks.

Is fasting required?
Fasting is not compulsory during Ashura, but some Muslims choose to fast for one or two days. This is because the Prophet Muhammad was said to have fasted on the day of Ashura.

When is Ashura?
Ashura falls on the tenth day of Muharram (the first month of the Islamic year) in the Muslim calendar.

Islamic religious dates are tabular: they begin at sunset on the first evening and end at sunset on the second evening. The date changes each year as the calendar used by Muslims - the Hijri calendar - is ten to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian.

The month of Muharram is considered special by all Muslims and is one of the four sacred months of the year, which brings with it the day of Ashura, or the “Tenth day” of the month, when fasting is recommended (with or without the addition of a day prior or after).
Following the Prophetic tradition, MCC invites all East Bay residents to fast on the day of Ashura, which starts on the evening of Sunday, August 7, and during the day of Monday, August 8.

The first is the Hijrah, the migration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD. This birth of a pluralistic Muslim community marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar and served as the key turning point for the first Muslims and the future of Islam. The Hijrah also marks the beginning of a new chapter for humanity, where freedom of faith and justice for all became the cardinal principles of the newly founded society and a model for us to aspire to.

The other two historic events took place on the 10th day of Muharram, called Ashura.

After completing the migration to Medina, the Prophet witnessed the Jews of Medina fasting to celebrate the victory of Prophet Musa (PBUH) and his people over the Egyptian Pharaoh. Prophet Muhammad then asked his companions to join this fasting tradition to express their gratitude to Allah for saving Musa and his people.

On the same day just six decades later, the Prophet’s grandson Husayn ibn Ali was martyred in the Battle of Karbala. This was one of the saddest and heartbreaking events in the history of Islam, which we continue to mourn today.

As we commemorate Ashura, for Prophet Musa and Imam Husayn, we are called to re-commit to our struggle against all forms of tyranny and oppression, and to seek liberty and justice for all.
Following the tradition of Prophet Muhammad, MCC would like to invite you all to fast on the day of Ashura. Let us take this day to continue the practice of our beloved Prophet, and pray for the unity of our ummah (community).

This talk was delivered at the Muslim Community Center - East Bay (MCC East Bay) in Pleasanton, California on August 7, 2022. 

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