By Mawlana Abu ’l-Hasan ‘Ali al-Nadwi
The fast of ‘Ashura [on the 10th of Muharram] was prescribed before the fasts of Ramadan. The Jews observed it and so did the people of Arabia before the dawn of Islam.
It is related by Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that when the Prophet (upon him blessings and peace) came to Madinah he found that the Jews observed the fast of ‘Ashura. He enquired about it from them and was told that it was the day on which God had delivered the Children of Israel from the enemy and Moses (upon him be peace) used to keep a fast on it as an expression of gratitude to the Almighty. The Prophet (upon him blessings and peace) thereupon, remarked that “Moses has a greater claim upon me than upon you,” and he fasted on that day and instructed his followers to do the same.
Spending on One’s Family on the Day of ‘Āshūra