24/06/2026
We praise Almighty Allah, thank Him for all His blessings, and send peace and salutations upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
As we mentioned in our post yesterday, this day possesses many virtues. However, Muslims should also beware of the innovations associated with the tenth day of this month. Many people practice these innovations out of ignorance of the Sunnah or due to blind adherence to certain scholars.
Al-Hafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali رحمه الله said: “Everything that has been narrated regarding the virtue of applying kohl (eyeliner), using henna, or taking a bath on the Day of Ashura is fabricated and not authentic.” As for turning Ashura into a day of mourning, as the Rafidah do because of the martyrdom of Al-Husayn ibn Ali رضي الله عنهما, this is the practice of those whose efforts have gone astray in this worldly life while they think they are doing good. Allah and His Messenger ﷺ did not command that the days of the calamities or deaths of the Prophets be observed as days of mourning, so how could such observances be legislated for anyone besides them? As for the practice of spending generously on one's family specifically on that day, Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali رحمه الله said: “Its chain of narration is not authentic. It has been reported through several routes, but none of them is authentic.” (Lata'if al-Ma'arif, pp. 136–138)
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said: “Regarding Ashura, what is authentically reported concerning its virtue is fasting it, that it expiates the sins of one year, and that Allah saved Musa (Moses) from drowning on that day. We have discussed this elsewhere in detail and explained that everything practiced on that day apart from fasting is an innovated matter that none of the Imams regarded as recommended, such as applying kohl, using henna, cooking special foods, eating particular meats, increasing spending on one's family, and similar practices. The origin of these customs came from the innovations introduced by the killers of Al-Husayn and those like them. Even worse and more serious than that is what the Rafidah do by turning it into a day of mourning. They recite accounts of the martyrdom, chant elegies, deliberately make themselves thirsty, strike their cheeks, tear their garments, and revive the cries of the Days of Ignorance (Jahiliyyah), along with many other reprehensible practices whose description would take too long. The point here is that the innovations they introduced are blameworthy. Likewise, the practices introduced by those who respond to one innovation with another innovation, while claiming to follow the Sunnah, are also blameworthy and innovate. The Sunnah is what the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prescribed, and it is free from every innovation. Therefore, turning the Day of Ashura into a festival is an innovation whose roots lie in the practices of the Nawasib, while turning it into a day of mourning is an even uglier innovation and one of the well-known practices of the Rafidah.” (Minhaj al-Sunnah, 8/151–153).
If you research these practices and innovations, you will not find a single authentic report from the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ encouraging them or practicing them. Nor will you find any of the Four Great Imams recommending them. So why should a Muslim involve himself in such matters and neglect the pure guidance of the Qur'an and Sunnah because of blind following?
Many eminent scholars, including Ibn al-Qayyim, Al-Subki, Ibn al-Jawzi, and others, agreed that the narrations regarding the previously mentioned practices are either fabricated or unauthentic. For this reason, Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله laid down a fundamental principle concerning this day. He said: "The people of the Sunnah observe on this day what the Prophet ﷺ commanded, namely fasting, and they avoid the innovations that Satan has promoted. Know that the religion is built upon two fundamental principles:
🔸 That we worship none but Allah.
🔶 That we worship Allah only in the manner He has prescribed.
Therefore, build your worship and actions upon these two principles. Do not go astray by following individuals merely because of their fame, eloquence, or status. Every statement is weighed against the Qur'an and the Sunnah. Whatever agrees with them is accepted, and whatever opposes them is rejected.
Al-Imam Al-Shawkani رحمه الله said in his treatise Hal al-Jarh Ghibah? ("Is Criticism Backbiting?"): "People follow the scholars in matters of goodness. But if scholars oppose the Qur'an and the Sunnah and bring views that contradict them, then the true example to follow is the Qur'an and the Sunnah."
So let the Muslim be keen to follow the authentic Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the guidance of his noble Companions رضي الله عنهم, avoiding both excess and negligence, and steering clear of every innovation regardless of who promotes it.
Alhamdulillahi Rabbil-'Alamin.
✒️ By Abu Karima 📝
