I am fasting today. It’s not Ramadan; that was in April/May. It’s an optional fast that I started observing only in recent years. But today is Ashura, the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the Muslim calendar. I am fasting because the Prophet Muhammad would fast on this day. Why did he fast on this day? Because that is what the Jews did.
Let me explain:
When the Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina, he observed that the Jews were fasting on the 10th of Muharram. When he asked them why they fasted on this day, their answer was: “This is a good day, this is the day when God saved the Children of Israel from their enemy and Moses fasted on this day.” The Prophet Muhammad said, “Moses is closer to me than he is to you.” So he fasted on that day and told the people to fast. From thereon, every year in September, the Prophet Muhammad would fast on the 10th of Muharram—Ashura, which coincided with the 10th day of the Jewish month of Tishri—Yom Kippur.
How about that!
A qualification: The Islamic tradition teaches that the Exodus occurred on Yom Kippur, but Jews commemorate that day on Passover
So why am I fasting in August, when Yom Kippur is in late September? In other words, why is Muharram in August and not in September?
A little more history:
In those times–now I am talking 7th century Arabia—people adjusted the calendar. Both Judaism and Islam follow the lunar calendar (vs. Gregorian). It has 10 days less than the solar calendar. As a result, the months shifted by 10 days each year, and in three years, it would shift by a month. To keep the calendar stationary, people adjusted the calendar every three years by adding a 13th month. This way, Muharram always occurred in September. Shortly before the Prophet Muhammad died, God revealed in the Quran, the verse ordaining that there be 12 months in a year. So, Muslims stopped adjusting the calendar and strictly observed the lunar cycle. Consequently, the Muslim calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, shifts 10 days each year. For example, last year Ramadan started on May 4, this year on April 24, and next year it will be on April 14. By the way, the Jews continued to adjust the calendar, so that Yom Kippur always falls in the Fall (no pun intended).
Which means that I should be fasting in September, on Yom Kippur. So why am I fasting in Muharram on Ashura? I admit that I am a bit confused about that. I can deal with it by fasting on Yom Kippur, respecting the Prophet’s tradition to commemorate Moses. But then again, if the Jews celebrate Exodus on Passover, shouldn’t I be fasting on Passover? I can’t confuse this further, so just stop. The Prophet fasted on Yom Kippur in solidarity with Jews; Sabeeha will fast on Yom Kippur. Settled.
Where does that leave Ashura? Should I be observing this optional fast, or is Ashura an optional, optional fast? I believe the answer lies in the history that followed. In later years, Ashura, the 10th of Muharram took on an entirely different significance. A sobering and grim one.
It was on this day that the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussain was martyred at Karbala in 680 C.E. He had led his army against Yazid, the corrupt caliph, in a fight against oppression and injustice. His death was a painful tragedy in the history of Islam. On this day, he is remembered with reverence. His bravery in standing up to a tyrant, and the sacrifice of his and his family is narrated in poetry in majlis gatherings all over the world. And we fast.
Today, on my day of fast, I reflect on our history and our present: our shared history with the Jews, and pray that Israelis and Palestinians can come together to live in peace and harmony, with their dignity intact. I join millions of Muslims to mourn the victims of Karbala, Imam Hussain, his family and companions. I reflect on the legacy of Hussain, seeing his image in the faces of the people today, who risk it all to fight against oppression. I reflect on Haroon Moghul’s quote, “There is a Hussain in #BlackLivesMatter, forcing us to face up to the racism we insist we’ve overcome.” And I pray that here, in the United States of America, we do overcome racial injustice. Amen.
PS: Inspiring piece by Haroon Moghul Why Muslims Celebrate a Jewish Holiday
