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Discover the significance of the Day of Ashura on Muslim Aid's blog. Understand its historical importance in the Islamic calendar and cultural observance.

It looks like you are outside of the UK, would you like to donate in USD ? Today • Islamic Date Thu al-Hijjah 4, 1447 Next Prayer: London Fajr - 02:59 am Recent Donations £313.00, Qurbani 2026 Donate GBP GBP USD Cart (0) Qurbani 2026 Appeals Projects Get Involved Our Work About us Need Is Greatest Give Zakat 020 7377 4200 Qurbani 2026 Appeals Projects Get Involved Our Work About us Need Is Greatest Give Zakat GBP GBP USD Cart (0) Qurbani - Band A Qurbani - Band A Family Qurbani (£38 / share) Qurbani - Band B Qurbani - Band C Qurbani - Band D Need is Greatest Qurbani Prophetic Qurbani UK Qurbani Global Qurbani Greatest Days, Greatest Reward Need is Greatest Zakat Appeal Rebuild Gaza Quick Donate Muslim Aid Media Centre Blog - Muslim Aid's Media Insights 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 December October September August July April January 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 What is the Day of Ashura? The Day of Ashura falls on the 10th day of Muharram (Friday 28th July): the first month of the Islamic calendar. This is a hugely significant day for Muslims around the world as they commemorate Allah (SWT) freeing Prophet Musa (AS) and the Children of Israel from Pharaoh. The story of Musa The Quran states that Musa (as) was sent by Allah (SWT) to the Pharaoh of Egypt and his establishments and the Israelites for guidance and warning. Musa (AS) is mentioned more in the Qur'an than any other individual, and his life is narrated and recounted more than that of any other prophet. Blessings of Ashura? The reward of fasting the Day of Ashura is that Allah (SWT) forgives your sins from the previous year. After years of torture and enslavement, the Israelites fled in the middle of the night to escape slavery until they reached the Red Sea. The Israelites exclaimed to Moses that they would be overtaken by Pharaoh and his army. The Qur'an narrates Allah (SWT) commanded Moses to strike the Red Sea with his staff, instructing them not to fear being overtaken or drowning. Upon striking the sea, it divided into two parts, that allowed the Israelites to pass through. Pharaoh witnessed the sea splitting alongside his army, but as they also tried to pass through, the sea closed in on them. Musa (AS) therefore began the tradition of fasting on the Day of Ashura as a form of gratitude to Allah (SWT). Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) told us to continue this tradition by fasting and in order to differentiate Muslims from other religious groups who fast on this day, the Prophet (SAW) encouraged us to fast on the ninth of Muharram as well as the tenth (Sunday 7th August and Monday 8th August). Prophet Muhammed (SAW) 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. (Sahih Bukhari) This is a great day when Allah saved Musa (as) and his people and drowned Pharaoh and his people. (Sahih Muslim) Prophet Muhammed (SAW) said, ‘’one who generously spends on his family on the day of Ashura, Allah (SWT) will be generous on him for the entire year (Baihaqi) Giving Charity Whoever fasts Ashura it is as if he fasted the entire year. And whoever gives charity this day it is like the charity of an entire year (Ibn Rajab Lat’if al-Ma’arif) Written by Yusuf Kalam Fundraising Manager We are a faith-based British international charity that provides help to people who are victims of natural disasters or conflict or suffering from poverty, hunger, disease, homelessness, injustice, deprivation or lack of skills and economic opportunities. 020 7377 4200 | 020 7870 1602 Appeals Qurbani 2026 Rebuild Gaza Sudan Emergency Zakat Appeal Yemen Healthcare Rebuild Syria Projects Need is Greatest Orphans & Widows Sadaqah Jariyah Global Emergency Fight Poverty Water for All Healthcare Education Waqf Fund About us About us Zakat Calculator Blog News Contact Us Muslim Aid History Board of Trustees Where we work Other ways to Donate Funds Allocation Guidance Annual Report Project Feedback Report Our Values Global Advocacy Donate © Copyright 2026. Muslim Aid - Help Muslims Around the World in Need . All Rights Reserved. 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