Ashura 2026: Powerful Sunnah Practices to Follow
What to Do on Ashura: A Complete Guide to the Blessed 10th of Muharram
Every year, as the Islamic lunar calendar turns to Muharram, millions of Muslims around the world begin asking the same question: what to do on Ashura. The 10th of Muharram is one of the most spiritually charged days in the entire Islamic calendar, carrying layers of historical meaning, prophetic tradition, and deep emotional weight. Whether you are preparing to fast, planning acts of charity, or simply trying to understand how to make the most of this sacred occasion, this guide walks you through everything you need to know.
Ashura is not a single-dimension day. It connects the story of Prophet Musa and the Children of Israel, the mercy of Allah toward His prophets, and for Shia Muslims, the painful remembrance of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at Karbala. Understanding what to do on Ashura means understanding all of these dimensions and approaching the day with sincerity, humility, and purpose.
What Is Ashura and Why Does It Matter?
The word Ashura comes from the Arabic root for “ten,” referring directly to the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic Hijri calendar. Muharram itself is one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Quran, and the Prophet Muhammad referred to it as the month of Allah, noting that fasting in this month carries extraordinary reward second only to the month of Ramadan.
Historically, Ashura is tied to the account of Prophet Musa and Bani Israel. When the Prophet Muhammad migrated to Madinah, he found the Jewish community there fasting on this day. Upon asking why, he was told it marked the day Allah rescued Musa and his followers from the tyranny of Pharaoh by parting the sea and saving them from certain destruction. The Prophet responded that Muslims have a greater claim to Musa than anyone else, and he began fasting on this day himself, encouraging the early Muslim community to do the same.
Some scholars also mention other significant events traditionally linked to this date, including the resting of Prophet Nuh’s ark after the flood and the repentance of various nations, though the strongest and most authentically reported connection remains the deliverance of Musa.
For Shia Muslims, Ashura carries an additional and deeply solemn dimension. It marks the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala in 61 AH, when Imam Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, was martyred along with many members of his family and companions. This tragedy is remembered through mourning gatherings known as majalis, processions, and recitations that take place throughout the first ten days of Muharram, reaching their peak on the day of Ashura itself.
Fasting on Ashura: The Central Act of Worship
If there is one practice almost universally associated with what to do on Ashura, it is fasting. The Prophet Muhammad fasted on this day even before fasting in Ramadan became obligatory, and he continued to emphasize its importance afterward. According to a hadith reported by Ibn Abbas, the Prophet was never seen so eager to prioritize fasting on any single day other than Ashura, with the exception of Ramadan itself.
The virtue of this fast is immense. The Prophet said that fasting the day of Ashura is hoped to expiate the sins of the previous year. This is an extraordinary mercy: a single day of restraint and devotion offering forgiveness for an entire year’s worth of minor sins, though scholars are clear that major sins still require sincere and direct repentance.
There are a few accepted ways to observe the fast, depending on scholarly preference:
- Fasting the 9th and 10th of Muharram (Tasua and Ashura) – This is the most preferred and complete way to fast, following the Prophet’s own stated intention. He said that if he lived to see the next year, he would also fast on the ninth day, a sunnah his companions carried forward.
- Fasting the 10th and 11th of Muharram – An acceptable alternative for those who miss the ninth day.
- Fasting only the 10th of Muharram – Still valid and still rewarded, though considered the minimum and least preferred of the three options.
One of the reasons scholars give for combining the ninth and tenth day is to distinguish the Muslim practice of fasting from that of other communities who treated the tenth day as a festival rather than a day of worship. By extending the fast, the Sunnah keeps the day rooted in devotion rather than celebration.
It is worth noting that fasting on Ashura is voluntary, not obligatory. The Prophet made clear that whoever wishes may fast and whoever does not wish to fast is not required to. Still, given the scale of the reward attached to it, most practicing Muslims try not to let the day pass without observing it in some form.
Increase in Prayer and Night Worship
Beyond fasting, Ashura is an opportunity to deepen your connection with Allah through additional voluntary prayers. Many scholars and Islamic teachers recommend using this day to perform Tahajjud, the night prayer, as well as Dhuha, the mid-morning voluntary prayer. Even for those unable to add extra prayers, simply being more present and focused during the five obligatory daily prayers can transform the spiritual quality of the day.
This emphasis on prayer reflects a broader principle in Islamic worship: external rituals like fasting are meant to open the heart toward greater consistency and sincerity in prayer, not to replace it.
Recite the Quran and Engage in Dhikr
Reciting the Quran on Ashura is another widely recommended practice, particularly for those who are unable to fast due to illness, travel, or other valid reasons. Surah Al-Fatiha, Surah Al-Ikhlas, and Surah Al-Baqarah are often mentioned specifically, though reciting any portion of the Quran with reflection and presence of heart carries reward on this blessed day.
Alongside Quran recitation, increasing dhikr, the remembrance of Allah through phrases like glorification and seeking forgiveness, helps maintain a state of mindfulness throughout the day. Ashura is also considered a day when supplications are especially likely to be accepted, so many Muslims set aside dedicated time for personal dua, asking for forgiveness, guidance, and the wellbeing of their families.
Give Charity and Spend on Your Family
Charity, or sadaqah, holds a special place in how Muslims are encouraged to spend Ashura. There is a well-known narration in which the Prophet stated that whoever spends generously on his family on the day of Ashura will be blessed with generosity from Allah throughout the entire year. This has made the day a popular occasion for giving back, not only to immediate family but to those in need within the wider community.
Practical ways to give on Ashura include:
- Donating to organizations supporting orphans, widows, and vulnerable families.
- Contributing to clean water projects, since access to water carries symbolic weight tied to the themes of mercy and relief central to the day.
- Spending a little extra on a family meal or gift as an act of gratitude and generosity.
- Supporting local mosques or community relief efforts during Muharram.
Charity on this day is not about the size of the contribution but the sincerity and consistency behind it. Even a small act of giving, done with the right intention, fits within the spirit of what to do on Ashura.
Also Read: What is Muharram and why is it celebrated? A Comprehensive Guide
Reflect, Repent, and Renew Your Intentions
Ashura is widely regarded as a day suited for sincere tawbah, or repentance. The story of Musa’s deliverance is, at its core, a story about divine mercy overcoming oppression and hardship. Many scholars encourage Muslims to use this symbolism as a personal reminder: that no matter how difficult a situation feels, Allah’s mercy and ability to turn hardship into ease remain constant.
This day offers a natural pause point to reflect on personal habits, relationships, and spiritual goals for the year ahead. Taking time to genuinely seek forgiveness for past mistakes, rather than simply going through the motions of worship, is considered an essential part of observing Ashura properly.
How Shia Muslims Observe Ashura
For Shia Muslims, Ashura is observed very differently, centered on mourning rather than celebration. The day marks the anniversary of Imam Hussain’s martyrdom at Karbala, an event remembered as a profound act of sacrifice in the face of tyranny and injustice. Throughout the first ten days of Muharram, community gatherings called majalis are held, where the events of Karbala are retold, often accompanied by poetry, lamentation, and collective mourning.
On the day of Ashura itself, many communities organize public processions, distribute food and water in remembrance of the thirst endured at Karbala, and gather for communal prayers and recitations. Charity and the distribution of water are especially emphasized, directly connected to the historical account of the siege at Karbala where access to water was cut off.
Both Sunni and Shia observances, despite their different focal points, share an underlying theme: using the day to draw closer to faith, to reflect on sacrifice and mercy, and to act with generosity toward others.
Common Mistakes to Avoid on Ashura
While there are many recommended deeds, it is equally important to know what to avoid so the day remains rooted in sincere worship rather than empty custom. Some practices that have crept into local traditions in various regions, such as preparing specific celebratory foods purely out of festivity rather than worship, or treating the day as primarily social rather than spiritual, are viewed by many scholars as deviations from the original intent of Ashura.
It is also a mistake to rely too heavily on a single day of fasting as a substitute for ongoing acts of worship throughout the year. Scholars consistently remind that the daily prayers and the fast of Ramadan carry far greater weight than voluntary acts like the Ashura fast, and that consistent, smaller acts of devotion matter more than relying on one exceptional day to erase a year of neglect.
A Simple Checklist for Ashura
If you are looking for a practical summary of what to do on Ashura, here is a straightforward checklist to guide your day:
- Fast on the 9th and 10th of Muharram, or at minimum on the 10th alone.
- Perform extra voluntary prayers, including Tahajjud if possible.
- Recite the Quran and increase dhikr throughout the day.
- Make sincere dua and ask for forgiveness for the past year.
- Give charity, especially toward family members or those in need.
- Reflect on the lessons of patience, mercy, and divine justice found in the story of Musa.
- For those observing the day as a time of mourning, join community gatherings remembering Imam Hussain with dignity and respect.
Final Thoughts
Knowing what to do on Ashura is ultimately about more than following a checklist. It is about approaching one of the most meaningful days in the Islamic calendar with humility, gratitude, and genuine intention. Whether your focus is on fasting and seeking forgiveness, increasing acts of charity, or joining in remembrance of historic sacrifice, the heart of Ashura lies in turning toward Allah with sincerity and carrying that renewed devotion forward into the rest of the year.
FAQs
1. What is the main thing to do on Ashura?
The most emphasized act on Ashura is fasting, ideally combined with the 9th of Muharram. Beyond fasting, increasing prayer, Quran recitation, dua, and charity are all strongly encouraged.
2. Is fasting on Ashura obligatory?
No, fasting on Ashura is voluntary, not obligatory. It was obligatory before the fasting of Ramadan was prescribed, after which it became a highly recommended sunnah rather than a requirement.
3. What is the reward for fasting on Ashura?
According to hadith, fasting on the day of Ashura is hoped to expiate the minor sins of the previous year. Major sins still require sincere and direct repentance regardless of fasting.
4. Why do some Muslims fast on the 9th and 10th of Muharram together?
Fasting both days follows the Prophet’s stated intention to add the ninth day to distinguish the practice from other communities who treated the tenth day as a festival rather than an act of worship.
5. What is the difference between how Sunni and Shia Muslims observe Ashura?
Sunni Muslims primarily observe Ashura through fasting and gratitude for the deliverance of Prophet Musa, while Shia Muslims observe it as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at the Battle of Karbala.
6. Can I still benefit from Ashura if I cannot fast?
Yes. Those unable to fast due to illness, travel, or other valid reasons can still benefit by reciting the Quran, increasing dhikr, making dua, and giving charity.
7. What should be avoided on Ashura?
Avoid treating the day as a festive or purely social occasion. Practices not rooted in authentic worship, along with relying solely on this one day instead of maintaining consistent worship throughout the year, are discouraged by scholars.
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