*THE STORY BEHIND FASTING ON 'ASHURA'*~{ MUSA (A.S.) & THE PHARAOH }~

[~ Y A S M I N ~]

'Assalamualaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh.'

**********************************************

 

The Story behind Fasting ‘Ashura': Musa (alayhi salam) and the Pharaoh.

 A summary of the story concerning the events that occurred at the time 

of Musa (alayhi wasalam) the victory Allah provided to His messenger and the 

destruction of the Pharaoh. 

“In this month of Muharram was the salvation of Musa (alayhi wasalam) and his people from Pharaoh and his army. Allah had sent him with clear evidences and proofs upon his prophethood, yet the Pharaoh was arrogant and haughty and claimed, 

“I am your lord, most high” [Quran 79:24]. 

Musa (alayhi wasalam) came to him with great signs and called him to tawhid, to the tawhid of the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth yet Pharaoh said in arrogance, “And what is the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)?” [Quran 26:23].

Musa (alayhi wasalam) responded, “Lord of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, if you seek to be convinced with certainty” [Quran 26:24]. And so Pharaoh mocked and belittled this statement of Musa (alayhi wasalam) by saying to those around, “Do you not hear (what he says)?” [Quran 26:25]. So Musa (alayhi wasalam) reminded them and admonished them further and said, “Your Lord and the Lord of your ancient fathers!” [Quran 26:26]. Left speechless Pharaoh then replied with a false claim, a lie, “Verily, your Messenger who has been sent to you is a madman!” [Quran 26:27]. 

 later he continued to threaten Musa (alayhi wasalam) and said, “If you choose an ilah (god) other than me, I will certainly put you among the prisoners” [Quran 26:29]. Indicating that he had many other prisoners already to frighten Musa (alayhi wasalam) into silence.

Yet Musa (alayhi wasalam) continued thereafter to present the clear proofs until Pharaoh said to him, “Have you come to drive us out of our land with your magic, O Musa (Moses)? “Then verily, we can produce magic the like thereof; so appoint a meeting between us and you, which neither we, nor you shall fail to keep, in an open wide place where both shall have a just and equal chance (and beholders could witness the competition)” [Quran 20:57-58].

And when Pharaoh came with his magicians Musa (alayhi wasalam) admonished them and said, “Woe unto you! Invent not a lie against Allah, lest He should destroy you completely by a torment. And surely, he who invents a lie (against Allah) will fail miserably” [Quran 20:61]. “Musa (Moses) said to them: “Throw what you are going to throw!” So they threw their ropes and their sticks, and said: “By the might of Fir’aun (Pharaoh), it is we who will certainly win!” Then Musa (Moses) threw his stick, and behold, it swallowed up all the falsehoods which they showed!” [Quran 26:43-45]. And so the magicians repented and believed, “And the sorcerers fell down prostrate. Saying: “We believe in the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)” [Quran 26:46-47].

Pharaoh continued upon his way and Allah stated, “So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all. And We made them a precedent (as a lesson for those coming after them), and an example to later generations” [Quran 43:55-56]. 

Then Allah commanded Musa (alayhi wasalam) “And indeed We inspired Musa (Moses) (saying): “Travel by night with Ibadi (My slaves) and strike a dry path for them in the sea, fearing neither to be overtaken [by Fir'aun (Pharaoh)] or being afraid

 (of drowning in the sea)” [Quran 20:77].

So Musa (alayhi wasalam) and his people departed, and Pharaoh was in pursuit,

 until they arrived at the Red Sea, Pharaoh behind them and the Sea in front of them and “the companions of Musa (Moses) said: “We are sure to be overtaken” [Quran 26:61]. Musa (alayhi wasalam) replied, “Nay, verily! With me is my Lord, He will guide me”

[Quran 28:22]. That was the eemaan and certainty of Musa (alayhi wasalam). 

Allah inspired Musa (alayhi wasalam) to hit the Sea with his stick and it opened into 12 pathways and so they entered and crossed with the water holding like mountains as they walked upon the dry pathways. Pharaoh upon seeing that entered in chase however upon entering the mountains of water collapsed upon him, “And We took the Children of Israel across the sea, and Fir’aun (Pharaoh) with his hosts followed them in oppression and enmity, till when drowning overtook him, he said: “I believe that La ilaha illa (Huwa): (none has the right to be worshipped but) He,” in Whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am one of the Muslims (those who submit to Allah’s Will).” So it was said to him, “Now (you believe) while you refused to believe before and you were one of the Mufsidun (evil-doers, corrupts, etc.). So this day We shall deliver your (dead) body (out from the sea) that you may be a sign to those who come after you! And verily, many among mankind are heedless of Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.)” [Quran 10:90-92]

And so Allah saved Musa (alayhi wasalam) and destroyed Pharaoh. It is for this reason when the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) entered Madinah and found the Jews to be fasting on the 10th of Muharram he asked regarding that and they replied, “It is the day Allah saved Musa and his people from their enemy [Pharaoh] and so Musa fasted this day”, so the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) replied, “I am more deserving of Musa than you” and so he fasted and asked the people to fast.

Similarly the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) stated if he lived till the upcoming year he would fast the 9th as well to oppose the others who were fasting only the 10th as he found them. Hence it is Sunnah to fast the 9th and 10th of Muharram.

Regarding the reward of fasting the day the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) stated--

 

“It expiates the previous year of sins” [minor sins]. 

~'Salaams' to all~

~ Y a s m i n ~

~Say, 'Indeed, my Prayer, my Rites of Sacrifice,

my Living and my Dying are for ALLAH, Lord of the Worlds'~

{'Qur`an'~Surat Al-`An`am -# 6-162.}