Answered by: Alimah Nasima Umm Hamza
Question:
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
Could someone please shed some light, it’s a common practice to have a meal that’s ‘extraordinary ‘ such a meal that’s not the norm in a specific house whole year like a five-course meal on the 10th oh Muharram. So should this meal be tomorrow night the 10th or can it be on Tuesday night the 11th taking into consideration the meal is being prepared on the 10th day?
Answer:
بسماللهالرحمنالرحيم
In The Name Of Allah, The Most-Merciful, The Most Kind
There is no basis for an ‘extraordinary’ meal on Yawmul Ashura amongst the Sunni sources. The established sunnah of the 10th of Muharram is to fast on that day, and this is supported by numerous ahadith. There are also other deeds which have been narrated in established hadith, such as spending in charity or being extremely generous with your family on the day of Ashura.
It has been narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said:
“Whoever fasts on the 10th of Muharram (Ashura), it is as though he has fasted the entire year. And whoever gives charity on this day, it is like the charity of an entire year.”
and
“Whoever expands (his expenditure) on his family on the day of ʿĀshūrā (10thMuḥarram), Allah will expand (his sustenance and mercy) on him for his entire year”
(Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali, Lata’if al-Ma’arif, Chapter on the Day of Ashura, Pages 4-54)
Only Allah knows best
Answered By Alimah Nasima Umm Hamza
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham