13. The Book of Fasting (2/2)
١٣۔ كتاب الصيام ص ٢
Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained."
أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ؓ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا دَخَلَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ فُتِّحَتْ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ جَهَنَّمَ وَسُلْسِلَتِ الشَّيَاطِينُ
13.2 The obligation to fast Ramadan when the crescent is sighted, and to break the fast when the crescent is sighted, and that if it is cloudy at the beginning or end of the month, then the month should be completed as thirty days.
١٣۔٢ بَاب وُجُوبِ صَوْمِ رَمَضَانَ لِرُؤْيَةِ الْهِلَالِ وَالْفِطْرِ لِرُؤْيَةِ الْهِلَالِ وَأَنَّهُ إِذَا غُمَّ فِي أَوَّلِهِ أَوْ آخِرِهِ أُكْمِلَتْ عِدَّةُ الشَّهْرِ ثَلَاثِينَ يَوْمًا
Messenger of Allah ﷺ mentioned Ramadan and said, "Do not fast unless you see the crescent (of Ramadan), and do not give up fasting till you see the crescent (of Shawwal), but if the sky is overcast (if you cannot see it), then act on estimation (i.e. count Sha'ban as 30 days).
أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ ذَكَرَ رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ لاَ تَصُومُوا حَتَّى تَرَوُا الْهِلاَلَ وَلاَ تُفْطِرُوا حَتَّى تَرَوْهُ فَإِنْ غُمَّ عَلَيْكُمْ فَاقْدُرُوا لَهُ
The Prophet (holding out his ten fingers thrice), said, "The month is thus and thus and thus," namely thirty days. Then (holding out his ten fingers twice and then nine fingers), he said, "It may be thus and thus and thus," namely twenty nine days. He meant once thirty days and once twenty nine days.
قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ الشَّهْرُ هَكَذَا وَهَكَذَا وَهَكَذَا يَعْنِي ثَلاَثِينَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَهَكَذَا وَهَكَذَا وَهَكَذَا يَعْنِي تِسْعًا وَعِشْرِينَ يَقُولُ مَرَّةً ثَلاَثِينَ وَمَرَّةً تِسْعًا وَعِشْرِينَ
Islamic law is easy and does not require complex calculations or science
The Prophet ﷺ said, "We are an illiterate nation; we neither write, nor know accounts. The month is like this and this, i.e. sometimes of twenty nine days and sometimes of thirty."
عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «إِنَّا أُمَّةٌ أُمِّيَّةٌ لاَ نَكْتُبُ وَلاَ نَحْسُبُ۔ الشَّهْرُ هَكَذَا وَهَكَذَا - يَعْنِي مَرَّةً تِسْعَةً وَعِشْرِينَ وَمَرَّةً ثَلاَثِينَ۔»
The beginning and ending of the Ramadan is based on the moon
that the Prophet ﷺ said or he said Abū al-Qasim said, "˹Start˺ fasting ˹the month˺ upon seeing it (the moon), and break ˹fasting the month˺ upon seeing it. If it is hidden for you (as a result of an overcast at the start of the month), then complete thirty days of Shaʿbān."
قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ أَوْ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو الْقَاسِمِ ﷺ «صُومُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ وَأَفْطِرُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ فَإِنْ غُبِّيَ عَلَيْكُمْ فَأَكْمِلُوا عِدَّةَ شَعْبَانَ ثَلاَثِينَ۔»
13.3 Do not start fasting one or two days before Ramadan
١٣۔٣ باب لاَ تَقَدَّمُوا رَمَضَانَ بِصَوْمِ يَوْمٍ وَلاَ يَوْمَيْنِ
Prohibition to fast a day or two before Ramadan
The Prophet ﷺ said, "None of you should fast ˹a voluntary fast˺ a day or two before the month of Ramadan unless he has the habit of fasting ˹such days voluntarily˺ then he may fast that day."
عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ: «لاَ يَتَقَدَّمَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ رَمَضَانَ بِصَوْمِ يَوْمٍ أَوْ يَوْمَيْنِ إِلاَّ أَنْ يَكُونَ رَجُلٌ كَانَ يَصُومُ صَوْمَهُ فَلْيَصُمْ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ۔»
13.4 The month may be twenty-nine days
١٣۔٤ باب الشَّهْرُ يَكُونُ تِسْعًا وَعِشْرِينَ
The Prophet ﷺ took an oath that he would not enter upon some of his wives for one month. But when twenty nine days had elapsed, he went to them in the morning or evening. It was said to him, "O Allah's Prophet! You had taken an oath that you would not enter upon them for one month." He replied, "The month can be of twenty nine days."
أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ حَلَفَ لاَ يَدْخُلُ عَلَى بَعْضِ أَهْلِهِ شَهْرًا فَلَمَّا مَضَى تِسْعَةٌ وَعِشْرُونَ يَوْمًا غَدَا عَلَيْهِنَّ أَوْ رَاحَ فَقِيلَ لَهُ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ حَلَفْتَ أَنْ لاَ تَدْخُلَ عَلَيْهِنَّ شَهْرًا قَالَ إِنَّ الشَّهْرَ يَكُونُ تِسْعَةً وَعِشْرِينَ يَوْمًا
13.7 The meaning of the Prophet's words: "The two months of 'Id cannot both be incomplete"
١٣۔٧ باب بَيَانِ مَعْنَى قَوْلِهِ ﷺ شَهْرَا عِيدٍ لَا يَنْقُصَانِ
The Prophet ﷺ said, "The two months of ʿId i.e. Ramadan and Dhul-Hijja, do not decrease (in superiority).
عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ: «شَهْرَانِ لاَ يَنْقُصَانِ: شَهْرَا عِيدٍ رَمَضَانُ وَذُو الْحَجَّةِ۔»
13.8 Clarifying that fasting begins at dawn, and a person may eat and other than that until dawn begins; And clarifying the dawn which has to do with the rulings concerning the beginning of fasting and the beginning of the time for the Subh Prayer, and other than that, which is the Second Dawn, which is called the True Dawn. The First Dawn, which is the False Dawn, has nothing to do with the rulings
١٣۔٨ بَاب بَيَانِ أَنَّ الدُّخُولَ فِي الصَّوْمِ يَحْصُلُ بِطُلُوعِ الْفَجْرِ وَأَنَّ لَهُ الْأَكْلَ وَغَيْرَهُ حَتَّى يَطْلُعَ الْفَجْرُ وَبَيَانِ صِفَةِ الْفَجْرِ الَّذِي تَتَعَلَّقُ بِهِ الْأَحْكَامُ مِنْ الدُّخُولِ فِي الصَّوْمِ وَدُخُولِ وَقْتِ صَلَاةِ الصُّبْحِ وَغَيْرِ ذَلِكَ
13.9 The virtue of sahur, which is recommended. It is recommended to delay it and to hasten the breaking of the fast
١٣۔٩ باب فَضْلِ السُّحُورِ وَتَأْكِيدِ اسْتِحْبَابِهِ وَاسْتِحْبَابِ تَأْخِيرِهِ وَتَعْجِيلِ الْفِطْرِ
13.10 Clarifying the time for ending the fast and the end of the day
١٣۔١٠ باب بَيَانِ وَقْتِ انْقِضَاءِ الصَّوْمِ وَخُرُوجِ النَّهَارِ
13.11 The prohibition of Al-Wisal
١٣۔١١ باب النَّهْىِ عَنِ الْوِصَالِ، فِي الصَّوْمِ
The Prophet ﷺ said twice, "(O you people) Be cautious! Do not practice Al-Wisal." The people said to him, "But you practice Al-Wisal?" The Prophet ﷺ replied, "My Lord gives me food and drink during my sleep. Do that much of deeds which is within your ability."
عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ إِيَّاكُمْ وَالْوِصَالَ مَرَّتَيْنِ قِيلَ إِنَّكَ تُوَاصِلُ قَالَ إِنِّي أَبِيتُ يُطْعِمُنِي رَبِّي وَيَسْقِينِ فَاكْلَفُوا مِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تُطِيقُونَ
The Prophet ﷺ fasted Al-Wisal on the last days of the month. Some people did the same, and when the news reached the Prophet ﷺ he said, "If the month had been prolonged for me, then I would have fasted Wisal for such a long time that the most exaggerating ones among you would have given up their exaggeration. I am not like you; my Lord always makes me eat and drink."
وَاصَلَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ آخِرَ الشَّهْرِ وَوَاصَلَ أُنَاسٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَبَلَغَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقَالَ لَوْ مُدَّ بِيَ الشَّهْرُ لَوَاصَلْتُ وِصَالاً يَدَعُ الْمُتَعَمِّقُونَ تَعَمُّقَهُمْ إِنِّي لَسْتُ مِثْلَكُمْ إِنِّي أَظَلُّ يُطْعِمُنِي رَبِّي وَيَسْقِينِ
Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade Al-Wisal out of mercy to them. They said to him, "But you practice Al- Wisal?" He said, "I am not similar to you, for my Lord gives me food and drink. "
نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنِ الْوِصَالِ رَحْمَةً لَهُمْ فَقَالُوا إِنَّكَ تُوَاصِلُ قَالَ إِنِّي لَسْتُ كَهَيْئَتِكُمْ إِنِّي يُطْعِمُنِي رَبِّي وَيَسْقِينِ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ لَمْ يَذْكُرْ عُثْمَانُ رَحْمَةً لَهُمْ
13.12 Clarifying that Kissing when fasting is not unlawful for the one whose desire is not provoked by that
١٣۔١٢ باب بَيَانِ أَنَّ الْقُبْلَةَ فِي الصَّوْمِ لَيْسَتْ مُحَرَّمَةً عَلَى مَنْ لَمْ تُحَرِّكْ شَهْوَتَهُ
Aisha said, "Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to kiss some of his wives while he was fasting," and then she smiled.
عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ ح وَحَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ عَنْ مَالِكٍ عَنْ هِشَامٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ؓ قَالَتْ إِنْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ لَيُقَبِّلُ بَعْضَ أَزْوَاجِهِ وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ ثُمَّ ضَحِكَتْ
The Prophet ﷺ used to kiss and embrace (his wives) while he was fasting, and he had more power to control his desires than any of you. Said Jabir, "The person who gets discharge after casting a look (on his wife) should complete his fast."
كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يُقَبِّلُ وَيُبَاشِرُ وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ وَكَانَ أَمْلَكَكُمْ لإِرْبِهِ وَقَالَ قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ {مَآرِبُ} حَاجَةٌ قَالَ طَاوُسٌ {أُولِي الإِرْبَةِ} الأَحْمَقُ لاَ حَاجَةَ لَهُ فِي النِّسَاءِ
13.13 The fasting is valid for the one who is Junub when dawn comes
١٣۔١٣ باب صِحَّةِ صَوْمِ مَنْ طَلَعَ عَلَيْهِ الْفَجْرُ وَهُوَ جُنُبٌ
One may begin to fast even in a state of ritual impurity
At times Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to get up in the morning in the state of Janaba after having sexual relations with his wives. He would then take a bath and fast.
أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ يُدْرِكُهُ الْفَجْرُ وَهُوَ جُنُبٌ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ ثُمَّ يَغْتَسِلُ وَيَصُومُ
13.14 The strict prohibition of intercourse during the day in Ramadan for one who is fasting; And the obligation of offering major expiation and the definition thereof; And that it is obligatory for both the one who can afford it and the one who cannot afford it, and it remains an obligation for the one who cannot afford it until he has the means
١٣۔١٤ باب تَغْلِيظِ تَحْرِيمِ الْجِمَاعِ فِي نَهَارِ رَمَضَانَ عَلَى الصَّائِمِ وَوُجُوبِ الْكَفَّارَةِ الْكُبْرَى فِيهِ وبيانها وأنها تجب على الموسر والمعسر وتثبت في ذمة المعسر حتى يستطيع
A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said, "I had sexual intercourse with my wife on Ramadan (while fasting)." The Prophet ﷺ asked him, "Can you afford to manumit a slave?" He replied in the negative. The Prophet ﷺ asked him, "Can you fast for two successive months?" He replied in the negative. He asked him, "Can you afford to feed sixty poor persons?" He replied in the negative. (Abu Huraira added): Then a basket full of dates was brought to the Prophet ﷺ and he said (to that man), "Feed (poor people) with this by way of atonement." He said, "(Should I feed it) to poorer people than we? There is no poorer house than ours between its (Medina's) mountains." The Prophet ﷺ said, "Then feed your family with it."
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ؓ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الأَخِرَ وَقَعَ عَلَى امْرَأَتِهِ فِي رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ أَتَجِدُ مَا تُحَرِّرُ رَقَبَةً قَالَ لاَ قَالَ فَتَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ تَصُومَ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ قَالَ لاَ قَالَ أَفَتَجِدُ مَا تُطْعِمُ بِهِ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِينًا قَالَ لاَ قَالَ فَأُتِيَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ بِعَرَقٍ فِيهِ تَمْرٌ وَهُوَ الزَّبِيلُ قَالَ أَطْعِمْ هَذَا عَنْكَ قَالَ عَلَى أَحْوَجَ مِنَّا مَا بَيْنَ لاَبَتَيْهَا أَهْلُ بَيْتٍ أَحْوَجُ مِنَّا قَالَ فَأَطْعِمْهُ أَهْلَكَ
A man came to the Prophet ﷺ in the mosque and said, "I am burnt (ruined)!" The Prophet ﷺ asked him, "With what (what have you done)?" He said, "I have had sexual relation with my wife in the month of Ramadan (while fasting)." The Prophet ﷺ said to him, "Give in charity." He said, "I have nothing." The man sat down, and in the meantime there came a person driving a donkey carrying food to the Prophet ﷺ ..... (The sub-narrator, 'Abdur Rahman added: I do not know what kind of food it was). On that the Prophet ﷺ said, "Where is the burnt person?" The man said, "Here I am." The Prophet ﷺ said to him, "Take this (food) and give it in charity (to someone)." The man said, "To a poorer person than l? My family has nothing to eat." Then the Prophet ﷺ said to him, "Then eat it yourselves."
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ أَتَى رَجُلٌ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ قَالَ احْتَرَقْتُ قَالَ مِمَّ ذَاكَ قَالَ وَقَعْتُ بِامْرَأَتِي فِي رَمَضَانَ قَالَ لَهُ تَصَدَّقْ قَالَ مَا عِنْدِي شَىْءٌ فَجَلَسَ وَأَتَاهُ إِنْسَانٌ يَسُوقُ حِمَارًا وَمَعَهُ طَعَامٌ قَالَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ مَا أَدْرِي مَا هُوَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالَ أَيْنَ الْمُحْتَرِقُ فَقَالَ هَا أَنَا ذَا قَالَ خُذْ هَذَا فَتَصَدَّقْ بِهِ قَالَ عَلَى أَحْوَجَ مِنِّي مَا لأَهْلِي طَعَامٌ قَالَ فَكُلُوهُ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْحَدِيثُ الأَوَّلُ أَبْيَنُ قَوْلُهُ أَطْعِمْ أَهْلَكَ
13.15 It is permissible to fast or not to fast during Ramadan for one who is travelling for no sinful purpose, if his journey is two stages or further. But it is better for the one who is able to fast without suffering any harm to do so, and the one for whom it is difficult may break the fast
١٣۔١٥ باب جواز الصوم والفطر في شهر رمضان للمسافر في غير معصية إذا كان سفره مرحلتين فأكثر وأن الأفضل لمن أطاقه بلا ضرر أن يصوم ولمن يشق عليه أن يفطر
Messenger of Allah ﷺ set out for Mecca in Ramadan and he fasted, and when he reached Al-Kadid, he broke his fast and the people (with him) broke their fast too. (Abu ʿAbdullah said, "Al-Kadid is a land covered with water between Usfan and Qudaid.")
أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ خَرَجَ إِلَى مَكَّةَ فِي رَمَضَانَ فَصَامَ حَتَّى بَلَغَ الْكَدِيدَ أَفْطَرَ فَأَفْطَرَ النَّاسُ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ وَالْكَدِيدُ مَاءٌ بَيْنَ عُسْفَانَ وَقُدَيْدٍ
Messenger of Allah ﷺ was on a journey and saw a crowd of people, and a man was being shaded (by them). He asked, "What is the matter?" They said, "He (the man) is fasting." The Prophet ﷺ said, "It is not righteousness that you fast on a journey."
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي سَفَرٍ فَرَأَى زِحَامًا وَرَجُلاً قَدْ ظُلِّلَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ مَا هَذَا فَقَالُوا صَائِمٌ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ مِنَ الْبِرِّ الصَّوْمُ فِي السَّفَرِ
We used to travel with the Prophet ﷺ and neither did the fasting persons criticize those who were not fasting, nor did those who were not fasting criticize the fasting ones.
كُنَّا نُسَافِرُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَلَمْ يَعِبِ الصَّائِمُ عَلَى الْمُفْطِرِ وَلاَ الْمُفْطِرُ عَلَى الصَّائِمِ
13.16 The reward of the one who does not fast when travelling if he does any tasks that are required
١٣۔١٦ باب أَجْرِ الْمُفْطِرِ فِي السَّفَرِ إِذَا تَوَلَّى الْعَمَلَ
We were with the Prophet (on a journey) and the only shade one could have was the shade made by one's own garment. Those who fasted did not do any work and those who did not fast served the camels and brought the water on them and treated the sick and (wounded). So, the Prophet ﷺ said, "Today, those who were not fasting took (all) the reward."
كُنَّا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَكْثَرُنَا ظِلاًّ الَّذِي يَسْتَظِلُّ بِكِسَائِهِ وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ صَامُوا فَلَمْ يَعْمَلُوا شَيْئًا وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ أَفْطَرُوا فَبَعَثُوا الرِّكَابَ وَامْتَهَنُوا وَعَالَجُوا فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ ذَهَبَ الْمُفْطِرُونَ الْيَوْمَ بِالأَجْرِ
13.17 The choice between fasting and not fasting when travelling
١٣۔١٧ باب التَّخْيِيرِ فِي الصَّوْمِ وَالْفِطْرِ فِي السَّفَرِ
(the wife of the Prophet) Hamza bin ʿAmr Al-Aslami asked the Prophet, "Should I fast while traveling?" The Prophet ﷺ replied, "You may fast if you wish, and you may not fast if you wish."
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ؓ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَنَّ حَمْزَةَ بْنَ عَمْرٍو الأَسْلَمِيَّ قَالَ لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَأَصُومُ فِي السَّفَرِ وَكَانَ كَثِيرَ الصِّيَامِ فَقَالَ إِنْ شِئْتَ فَصُمْ وَإِنْ شِئْتَ فَأَفْطِرْ
We set out with Messenger of Allah ﷺ on one of his journeys on a very hot day, and it was so hot that one had to put his hand over his head because of the severity of heat. None of us was fasting except the Prophet and Ibn Rawaha.
خَرَجْنَا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فِي بَعْضِ أَسْفَارِهِ فِي يَوْمٍ حَارٍّ حَتَّى يَضَعَ الرَّجُلُ يَدَهُ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ مِنْ شِدَّةِ الْحَرِّ وَمَا فِينَا صَائِمٌ إِلاَّ مَا كَانَ مِنَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَابْنِ رَوَاحَةَ
13.18 It is recommended for the person performing Hajj in 'Arafat not to fast on the day of 'Arafah.
١٣۔١٨ باب اسْتِحْبَابِ الْفِطْرِ لِلْحَاجِّ بِعَرَفَاتٍ يَوْمَ عَرَفَةَ
On the day of ʿArafat, some people who were with me, differed about the fasting of the Prophet ﷺ some said that he was fasting while others said that he was not fasting. So I sent a bowl full of milk to him while he was riding his camel, and he drank that milk.
أَنَّ نَاسًا اخْتَلَفُوا عِنْدَهَا يَوْمَ عَرَفَةَ فِي صَوْمِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ هُوَ صَائِمٌ وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لَيْسَ بِصَائِمٍ فَأَرْسَلَتْ إِلَيْهِ بِقَدَحِ لَبَنٍ وَهْوَ وَاقِفٌ عَلَى بَعِيرِهِ فَشَرِبَهُ
The people doubted whether the Prophet ﷺ was fasting on the day of ʿArafat or not, so I sent milk while he was standing at ʿArafat, he drank it and the people were looking at him.
أَنَّ النَّاسَ شَكُّوا فِي صِيَامِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ يَوْمَ عَرَفَةَ فَأَرْسَلَتْ إِلَيْهِ بِحِلاَبٍ وَهْوَ وَاقِفٌ فِي الْمَوْقِفِ فَشَرِبَ مِنْهُ وَالنَّاسُ يَنْظُرُونَ
13.19 Fasting on the day of ʿĀshūrāʾ
١٣۔١٩ باب صَوْمِ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ
(The tribe of) Quraish used to fast on the day of Ashura' in the Pre-Islamic period, and then Allah's Apostle ordered (Muslims) to fast on it till the fasting in the month of Ramadan was prescribed; whereupon the Prophet ﷺ said, "He who wants to fast (on 'Ashura') may fast, and he who does not want to fast may not fast."
أَنَّ قُرَيْشًا كَانَتْ تَصُومُ يَوْمَ عَاشُورَاءَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ ثُمَّ أَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِصِيَامِهِ حَتَّى فُرِضَ رَمَضَانُ وَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: «مَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَفْطَرَ۔»
Fasting was observed on the day of 'Ashura' (i.e. 10th of Muharram) by the people of the Pre-lslamic Period. But when (the order of compulsory fasting) in the month of Ramadan was revealed, the Prophet said, "It is up to one to fast on it (i.e. day of 'Ashura') or not."
كَانَ عَاشُورَاءُ يَصُومُهُ أَهْلُ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَلَمَّا نَزَلَ رَمَضَانُ قَالَ مَنْ شَاءَ صَامَهُ وَمَنْ شَاءَ لَمْ يَصُمْهُ