What it is
Ashura is the 10th day of Muharram. A well-known hadith reports that the Prophet found the Jews of Madinah fasting this day because Allah saved Musa (Moses) and his people from Pharaoh on it, and he fasted it and told Muslims to fast it. Ashura is also the day Husayn, the Prophet's grandson, was killed at Karbala, which many Muslims, especially Shia Muslims, remember in mourning.
Also spelled Ashoora, Yawm Ashura, 10th Muharram, Aşure Günü, Youm-e-Ashur.
What Muslims do
Many Sunni Muslims fast on Ashura, and also on the 9th or the 11th, as the Prophet intended to do. A well-known hadith says fasting Ashura expiates the sins of the year before. Shia Muslims hold majlis gatherings and processions mourning Husayn.
Dates in the coming years
| Date | Islamic date |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, 15 June 2027 | 10 Muharram 1449 AH |
| Saturday, 3 June 2028 | 10 Muharram 1450 AH |
| Wednesday, 23 May 2029 | 10 Muharram 1451 AH |
| Monday, 13 May 2030 | 10 Muharram 1452 AH |
Ashura is the 10th of Muharram. Many Muslims also fast the 9th, the day before it.
Dates follow the Umm al-Qura calendar used in Saudi Arabia. Many countries set their own dates by local moon sighting or a national authority, as in Pakistan, India, Indonesia and Malaysia, so the date where you live can be a day later.
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Visit KivioPhrases and duas for Ashura
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Radiyallahu Anhu (RA)
May Allah be pleased with him.
رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
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Alayhis Salam (AS)
Peace be upon him.
عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ
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Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raji'un
Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.
إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
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Astaghfirullah
I ask Allah for forgiveness.
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ
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La Ilaha Illa Anta Subhanaka (Dua of Yunus)
There is no god but You. Glory be to You. I have indeed been one of the wrongdoers.
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
Common questions
Why do Muslims fast on Ashura?
The Prophet fasted it in thanks for Allah saving Musa from Pharaoh and encouraged Muslims to fast it too. He also intended to fast the 9th, so many fast the 9th and 10th together.
What happened at Karbala?
On the 10th of Muharram in the year 61 AH (680 CE), Husayn ibn Ali, the Prophet's grandson, and members of his family were killed at Karbala in Iraq. Muslims remember it with grief, and for Shia Muslims it is the central day of mourning in Muharram.