The Fasting of Yaum-e-Ashurah
To keep fast on the day of Ashurah is worthy of great reward. The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) used to even fast on this day and He used to also command others to fast on this day. It is recorded in "Sahihain" from Hazrat Abu Moosa Ash'ari (radi Allahu anhu) that the Jews used to respect the day of Ashura and they also rejoiced on this day. The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) commanded, "You too should fast in this day". In one Hadith of "Muslim", it is recorded that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said, "On the day of Ashurah, the People of Khaibar keep fast, rejoice and dress their wives in good clothes and jewellery. O Muslims! You too should fast on this day."
Hazrat Qatadah (radi Allahu anhu) reports that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has stated, "On the day of Ashurah I hope that through this (Ashurah) Almighty Allah will make it a means of Kafaara for past sins." (Mishkat Shareef, Pg. 179)
In the year 10 A.H., when the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was keeping the fast of Ashurah, the Sahaba-e-Kiraam (ridwaan nulahi ta'ala ajma'in) requested, "This is that day which is honoured by the Jews and Christians." The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said, "If I am here next year, then I shall also fast on the 9th (of Muharram)." (Mishkat Shareef, Pg. 179) If is for this reason that we should not only fast on the tenth, but also on the ninth of Muharram-ul-Haraam
Important A'maal (practices) on Yaum-e-Ashurah
It is recorded in "Tafseer Roohul Bayaan" that the person who stays awake on the night of Ashurah gains the Sawaab of the Mala'ikah.
The Masha'ikh have stated that by making Ghusl on this day, the sicknesses for the entire year are washed away.
Shaami in "Kitaabus Saum" states that using surma on this day will not cause they eye to pain for the entire year.
Why is Kichra cooked during Aashurah?
It is in Shaami, "That person who cooks good food on the day of Ashurah, will Insha- Allah, gain Barkat from Almighty Allah in his home for the entire year." Commenting on this in "Tafseer Na'eemi", Hazrat Allama Mufti Ahmad Yaar Khan (rahmatullah alaih) writes: "In our country Haleem (kichra) is cooked because it contain all types of grains and meat, through which we have hope that their will be barkat in the grain for the entire year. In certain narrations, it has been stated that the day on which the Ark of Hazrat Nooh (alaihis salaam) came onto land, the inhabitants of the Ark disembarked and gathered all types of grain and cooked it into Haleem (Kichra)."
