1. The day of ‘Ashura is one of the significant days on which the Prophet (peace be upon him) prescribed we should fast. This day is not for Moosa (peace be upon him); rather it is for the saving of the believers. 2. The reason for fasting it is that it is the day on which Allah saved Moosa and drowned Pharaoh and his troops, and there covered them from the sea that which covered them. So the Prophet fasted on this day, and he enjoined the Sahaabah to fast on this day too. 3. When Allah enjoined fasting the month of Ramadan, this ruling was abrogated, and fasting on this day became Sunnah.

1. scholars regarded it as mustahabb to fast on the eleventh of Muharram because it was narrated from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) that he instructed people to fast on this day. 2. The scholars also mentioned another reason for it being mustahabb to fast on the eleventh, which is to be on the safe side with regard to the tenth day, because people may be mistaken in sighting the new moon of Muharram, and it may not be known exactly which day is the tenth.

1. If a person misses the fast of ‘Ashoora’, it cannot be made up because there is no proof for that, and because the reward is connected to fasting on the tenth day of Muharram, and that time has passed. 2. If a person is excused for not fasting – such as women who are menstruating or bleeding following childbirth, or those who are sick or are travelling – and he usually fasts on that day or he had the intention of fasting that day, then he will be rewarded for his intention.

It is recommended to fast both the ninth and the tenth of ‘Ashura because the Prophet (peace be upon him) fasted the tenth and intended to fast the ninth.

Fasting the day of ‘Ashoora’ does expiate for the past year. The expiation of sins that is achieved by fasting ‘Ashoora’ refers to minor sins; with regard to major sins, they need separate repentance.

1. If a person misses the fast of ‘Ashura, it cannot be made up because there is no proof for that, and because the reward is connected to fasting on the tenth day of Muharram, and that time has passed. 2. If a person is excused for not fasting – such as women who are menstruating or bleeding following childbirth, or those who are sick or are travelling – and he usually fasts on that day or he had the intention of fasting that day, then he will be rewarded for his intention.

If you fast the tenth and eleventh of Muharram with the intention of making up missed Ramadan fasting, that is permissible and will make up for two of the days that you owe.

Fasting on the day of ‘Ashura or `Arafah only expiates minor sins; as for major sins, they require sincere repentance. But falling into major sin does not mean that you should refrain from doing acts of worship and good deeds.