I begin with the name of Allah the most merciful and the most kind, peace and blessing be upon beloved Prophet (S.A.W)

All praise is for Allah. We praise him and seek his help and his forgiveness and we believe in Him and rely on Him. We seek refuge with Allah from the evil of ourselves and the vices of our deeds. There is no one to misguide whom Allah guides and there is no one to guide whom Allah lets go astray (refuses to follow the divine guidance). I bear witness that there is not God but Allah alone. He (the most high) has no partner. I bear witness that our authority, our prophet and our master (beloved) Muhammad is His servant and His messenger. May Allah have mercy on Him (S.A.W), His household and His companions and bless them in great abundance.

According to the reports of Sayyidah Aisha (RadhiAllahu Anha) fasting on the 10th of Muharram was fardh before it became obligatory to fast in the month of Ramadhan. When fasting of Ramadhan became Fardh the fasting on 10th of Muharram became Nafil (optional) for Muslims. 10th of Muharram is marked as day of Ashur with great respect in the whole world by Muslims all over the world. The Prophet (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) has motioned great reward of Saum on the day of Ashur.

SAYINGS OF RASULULLAH (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam)

Narrated by Salim's father (RadhiAllahu Anhu) the Prophet (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Who ever wishes might fast on the day Ashurah." (Sahih Muslim)

It is narrated by sayyidah Aisha (RadhiAllahu Anha) that quraish used to fast on the day of Ashurah in the pre-Islamic period and Allah's Messenger (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) too used to fast on that day. When He (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) came to Al-Madina He (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) fasted on that day and ordered other to fast too. Later when the fasting was prescribed in the month of Ramadhan, He (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) gave fasting on day Ashurah (as fardh fasting) and it became optional for one to fast on it or not. (Sahih Muslim)

Narrated Humaid Bin Abdur Rahman that He Muawia bin Abi sufyan (RadhiAllahu Anhu) on the day of Ashurah during the year he performed the pilgrimage (Hajj), saying on the minber (pulpit) "O the people of Madina, where are your scholars (Ulama). I heard Allah's messenger (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying this is the day of Ashurah. Allah has not enjoined it's fasting on you but I am fasting it. You have the choice either to fast or not to fast (on this day)". (Sahih Muslim)

THE PROPHET (SALALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM) SHOWS IMPORTANCE TO THE DAY OF ASHUR

Narrated Ibn Abbas (RadhiAllahu Anhu), The Prophet (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) came to Al-Madina and saw the jews fasting on the day of Ashura. He (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) asked them about that. They replied this is a good day (yaumun salihun) the day on which Allah rescued Bani Israeel from their enemy. So Moses (Musa Alaihis Salaam) fasted this day. The Prophet (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "We have more claim over Moses (Alaihis Salaam) than you" so the Prophet (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) fasted on that day and ordered the Muslims to fast on that day. (Sahih Muslim).

Narrated Ibn Musa (RadhiAllahu Anhu) the day of Ashura was considered as Eid day by the Jews so He (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) ordered "I recommend you (the Muslims) to fast on this day" (Sahih Muslim).

BENEFIT OF FASTING ON THE DAY OF ASHURAH.

Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (RadhiAllahu Anhu) narrated that I never saw the Prophet (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) seeking to fast on a day more (preferable to Him S.A.W) then this day, the day of Ashura or this month (the month of Ramadhan). (Sahih Muslim)

FOUR IMPORTANT GOOD DEEDS

Sayyida Hafsa (RadhiAllahu Anha) says, that four good deeds were not given up by the beloved Prophet of Allah (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam)

1) Fasting of Ashura

2) 10 days of Zulhijjah

3) Fasting of three days in every month

4) Two rakah of sunnah before the Fajr prayer (Two fard), (see annasael)

It is narrated by Ibn Qatada (RadhiAllahu Anhu) he said that the (beloved) Messenger of Allah (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) was asked about the saum (fasting of Ashura) it expiates the sins of last year (Narrated by Muslim).

In another hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas (RadhiAllahu Anhu) the Messenger of Allah (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "If I lived the coming year I will (also) fast on 9th of Muharram." (Narrated by Muslim)

STATUS OF IMAM HUSSAIN (RADHIALLAHU ANHU) AND HIS SHAHADAH (MARTYRDOM)

Imam Hussain Ibn Ali (RadhiAllahu Anhuma) is one of the flowers of Holy Prophet (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) who is loved by the beloved Messenger of Allah (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam). He Imam Hussain Ibn Ali (RadhiAllahu Anhu) is one of the famous members of Ahle Bait (the family of the Prophet SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam).

The Prophet of Allah (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: Both Sayyiduna Hassan and Sayyiduna Hussain that they both are my sons and sons of my daughter (Fatima RadhiAllahu Anhu). Oh Allah I love them both so bless them both with your love and bless all those who love them both. (Tirmidhi)

Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas says that the Messenger of Allah (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "O' people love Allah because He (S.W.T) is your lord and bestows His blessings upon you and love me (The Messenger SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam)) for the love of Allah and love my progeny for my love." (Tirmidhi and Mishkat)

Abu Hurairah narrates that the Messenger of Allah (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: " One who loved Hassan and Hussain surely he loved Me (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam), and one who disliked them (both) surely he disliked Me (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam)" (Ibn Maja Al-Mustadrik, and Al-Bidayawan Nihaya of Ibn Katheer)

IMAM HUSSAIN (RADHIALLAHU ANHU)

On 10th of Muharram the beloved grandson of Holy Prophet (SalAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) sacrificed his whole family and Him self in the way of Allah in Karbala, Iraq and became the most well-known and famous Shaheed of Islam.

Imam Hussain sacrificed everything that he loved but did not accept the un-Islamic, brutal, and cruel and dictatorial leadership of Yazeed (the cursed). The blood of martyrs is the great source of peace and harmony for mankind.

Alama Iqbal has said: "Qatle-e-Hussain Asl main marg-e-Yazeed. Islam zinda hautha hai har karbala kei baad." Which means: The martyrdom of Imam Hussain infact caused the death of Yazeed. Islam became alive by sacrifice practised in Karbala.

Allah said: "And do not speak of those who are slain in the way of Allah as dead. Nay, they are but alive, only you cannot perceive it." (Al-Quran Surah 2 Verse 154)