In short: Muharram is a sacred month and Ashura (the 10th) is a recommended fast. Multiply your reward by feeding the hungry this month.
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar and one of the four sacred months in which Allah has magnified the reward of good deeds and the gravity of wrongdoing. Its tenth day, the Day of Ashura, holds special significance in mainstream Sunni tradition as a day of fasting, gratitude and remembrance.
Why is Muharram sacred?
Allah designated four months as sacred, and Muharram is among them. The Prophet Muhammad ٣ described it as the ‘sacred month of Allah’, and the scholars teach that fasting voluntarily during Muharram is the most virtuous fasting after Ramadan, as reported in Sahih Muslim.
The history of the Day of Ashura
On the tenth of Muharram, Allah saved Prophet Musa (Moses) and the Children of Israel from Pharaoh. When the Prophet ٣ came to Madinah and found the Jewish community fasting on this day in gratitude, he said that the Muslims have more right to Musa, and he fasted it and encouraged others to do so. He later expressed the intention to also fast the ninth, so that the practice differs from others — hence the Sunnah of fasting the 9th and 10th together.
How to observe Ashura
- Fast the 9th and 10th of Muharram (or the 10th and 11th)
- Increase in dhikr, du’a and seeking forgiveness
- Be generous to family and to the poor
- Reflect on the deliverance Allah granted to the righteous
Charity in Muharram
Because good deeds are multiplied in the sacred months, Muharram is an ideal time to feed the hungry and care for orphans. Many begin the new Hijri year with a renewed intention to give. Zia Ul Ummah Foundation delivers cooked meals, food parcels and orphan support to families who need it most — turning the blessings of this month into lasting relief.
Begin the New Year with Charity
Provide hot meals and food parcels to struggling families this Muharram.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is fasting on Ashura obligatory?
No, fasting on Ashura is a strongly recommended Sunnah, not an obligation. The Prophet ٣ encouraged it and fasted it himself.
Which days should I fast for Ashura?
It is best to fast the 9th and 10th of Muharram together, following the Sunnah of distinguishing the Muslim practice.
What is the reward for fasting Ashura?
The Prophet ٣ said that fasting the Day of Ashura expiates the sins of the previous year, as reported in Sahih Muslim.
Why give charity in Muharram?
Muharram is a sacred month in which the reward for good deeds, including charity, is magnified, making it an excellent time to feed the hungry and support orphans.