Asalaamu 'alykum warahmatulahi wabarakaatuh.
A blessed Ashura - 10th Muharram 1426
Significance of fasting on the Day of Ashura’ i.e. the 10th day of Muharram, and the day before.
It is reported in the Sahih of Imam Bukhari and other authentic collections of Hadith that the Prophet -peace be upon him- and the Sahabah used to fast on the 10th day of Muharram while they were in Makkah (before the Hijrah).
It was a day on which people of Makkah used to change the covering (Kiswah or Ghilaf) of the Ka’bah. The Quraish also used to fast on this day. (al-Bukhari, Hadith 1489 and 1760). After the Hijrah when the Prophet -peace be upon him- came to Madinah, he found that the Jews of Madinah also used to observe this day with fasting. The Prophet asked them the reason of their fasting on this day.
They said, “This is a blessed day. On this day Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy (in Egypt) and so Prophet Moses fasted on this day giving thanks to Allah.” The Prophet -peace be upon him- said,
“'I have a nearer claim to Moses than you have'.” He fasted on that day and commanded Muslims to fast on this day. (al-Bukhari, Hadith 1865). In another report it is mentioned that Jews of Madinah used to celebrate this day as an Eid. The Prophet -peace be upon him- told the Sahabah to fast instead. (al-Bukhari, Hadith 1866).
Some say that, in order to distinguish it from the Jewish fast, Mohammed (pbuh) said, "Fast on the ninth and the tenth"; according to others, "Fast on Ashura, but fast also on the day before and the day after." Another tradition is that he did not want it celebrated in as joyous a manner as did the Jews, who were accustomed to deck out their wives with their finest jewelry and dresses.
But there were those who, according to the commentators to the Quran (sura ii. 46), connected the original celebration of Ashura with Noah, who was said to have landed on Mt. Judi on the tenth of Muharram and, out of thankfulness, to have fasted on that day (Baidawi, Comm. on Koran, i. 435; Zamahshari, "Al-Kashshaf," i. 614). Still others, according to traditions gathered by Al-Biruni, said that on this day God took compassion on Adam; Jesus was born; Moses was saved from Pharaoh, and Abraham from the fire of Nebuchadnezzar; Jacob regained his eyesight; Joseph was drawn out of the ditch; Solomon was invested with the royal power; the punishment was taken away from the people of Jonah; Job was freed from his plagues; the prayer of Zacharias was granted, and John was born to him (Al-Biruni, "Al-Athar al-Bahiyyah," ed. Sachau, p. 326).
There is a great reward in the ‘Ashura’ fast. There are many Ahadith that mention its blessings and virtues. It is good to fast on this day, although it is not obligatory.
To summarize we can say:
Ashura, (derived from hebrew word 'asor' meaning 'tenth' of Muharram) is a special day due to it's religious/islamic historical significance that makes it a blessed day.
‘Ashura’ fasting was an ancient tradition in Makkah.
It was also found among the Jews of Madinah.
First the Prophet commanded the Sahabah to fast on this day
Later when Ramadan fasts became obligatory, ‘Ashura fast was made optional.
Now it is optional but it is recommended to fast on the 9th and 10th days of Muharram.
source:
http://hedayah.blogspot.com/2005/02/...1426-19th.html
Peace.