Common Misconceptions About the Day of Ashura
Key Takeaways
- Fasting on Ashura is a confirmed Sunnah tied to the deliverance of Prophet Musa (AS) — not the events of Karbala
- Practices such as bathing for health, wearing kohl, or preparing special meals on this day have no authentic Islamic basis
- The day is one of worship, gratitude, and fasting — not mourning rituals or superstitious customs
Misconceptions and unverified claims about the 10th of Muharram circulate widely across social media and within communities.
Some of these beliefs have been passed down across generations. Most have no foundation in the Quran or authentic hadith.
What Ashura Is — and Why Muslims Fast
The 10th of Muharram marks the day the Prophet Musa (AS) led the Israelites to safety from Pharaoh. When the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ arrived in Madinah and found the Jewish community fasting on this day, he was told the reason. He said: “We have more right to Musa than you do,” and instructed Muslims to fast.
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said he never saw the Prophet ﷺ so eager to seek the virtue of any single day — only Ashura and Ramadan carried that distinction (Bukhari 2006, Muslim 1132).
Fasting on Ashura is not obligatory. It was obligatory before Ramadan fasting was made compulsory, after which it became a recommended voluntary act. The reward, however, is substantial: fasting on this day expiates the minor sins of the previous year (Sahih Muslim).
Misconceptions With No Islamic Basis
A number of beliefs attached to Ashura have no support in any sound hadith — none of the four Imams endorsed them, and no reliable Islamic scholar has narrated them. They include:
- Prophet Adam (AS) was created on this day — nothing in any authentic hadith connects the creation of Prophet Adam (AS) to the 10th of Muharram.
- Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was born on Ashura — this claim also lacks any verified narration from the Prophet ﷺ or his Companions.
- Bathing on Ashura prevents illness — the belief that bathing on the 10th of Muharram protects a person from sickness throughout the year has no basis in Islamic texts.
- Applying kohl on Ashura protects eyesight — no sound narration supports the idea that wearing kohl on this day prevents eye disease.
- Preparing or distributing a special meal — Islam does not prescribe any particular food or meal for Ashura. Preparing food for family is permissible as a cultural practice, but treating it as a religious act with specific spiritual reward — without authentic evidence — is incorrect.
- Ashura is an unlucky or cursed day — Islam has no place for superstitious bad luck regarding any day or season. Mufti Taqi Usmani notes that no day carries inherent luck or misfortune. A day gains special status only when Allah designates it as such.
- The Day of Judgement will fall on a 10th of Muharram — this claim, like the others above, has no grounding in the Quran or any reliable hadith.
Ashura and Karbala
The martyrdom of Husain (RA) on the 10th of Muharram is one of the most painful events in Islamic history. However, Scholars make clear that the sanctity of Ashura is not based on that martyrdom — rather, Allah in His wisdom chose this already sacred day for that great status to be bestowed upon the Prophet’s grandson.
The authentic Sunnah places the focus of Ashura on fasting and gratitude to Allah — not mourning rituals.
How to Observe Ashura Correctly
The proven acts for this day are straightforward:
- Fast on the 9th and 10th of Muharram (or at minimum the 10th alone)
- The Prophet intended to fast the 9th alongside the 10th to distinguish Muslim practice. He did not live to observe it, but scholars across the main legal schools recommend pairing the two days.
- Increase remembrance (dhikr) and seek forgiveness (istighfar)
- Give charity
- Reflect on the story of Prophet Musa (AS) and Allah’s mercy toward those who trust Him
Muslims should verify religious information before sharing it — always relying on the Quran and sound hadith, not claims circulating on social media without evidence.
