Ministry of Endowments urges Muslims to fast on Ashura

In a statement today, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs urged all Muslims to fast on Ashura day of Al Muharram month following the Sunna of the Prophet - may peace and blessings be upon him.The statement said:Praise be to Allah, prayer and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah and after:The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs reminds all honorable Muslims of the recommendation to fast Ashura, which is religiously desirable.According to the scholars, there are three ranks of fasting it:1- Fasting for 3 consecutive days 9,10 and 11 Muharram.2- Fasting on 9 and 10 Muharram only.3- Fast on the 10th of Muharram only.It is permissible to fast the 10th day and 11th day for those who missed the ninth day, and all of these ranks are permissible.Ibn Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, came to Medina and he found the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura. The Prophet said, "What is this day you are fasting" They said, "This is a great day in which Allah saved Moses and his people, and he drowned Pharaoh and his people. Moses fasted on it due to gratitude, so we also fast on it." The Prophet said, "We are more deserving and are closer to Moses than you." The Prophet fasted the day of Ashura and he commanded fasting on it. Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 3397, Sahih Muslim 1130.The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "If I live until next year, I will certainly fast the ninth day of al-Muharram." Source: Sahih Muslim 1134Fasting on the day of Ashura is that Allah will expiate the sins from the previous year.Abu Qatadah al-Ansari reported: the Prophet was asked about fasting the day of Ashura and he said, "It will expiate the sins of the past year." Source: Sahih Muslim 1162Hence, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs reminds all honorable Muslims of the blessings of fasting on this day honoring the Sunna of the Prophet - may peace and blessings be upon him and seeking to expiate the sins and seek reward from Allah. We ask Allah to reconcile everyone for good saying and rational actions.May peace and blessing of Allah be on our Prophet, his companions and followers.