Ashura 2027

Also called and spelled: Yawm Ashura, Youm-e-Ashur, 10th Muharram, Youm e Ashur, Yaum-e-Ashura, Ashura Day, 10 Muharram, Muharram ki 10 tarikh.

Ashura is the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Hijri year. For Sunni Muslims it is above all a day of fasting, kept since the time of the Prophet (ﷺ) in gratitude for Allah saving Musa and his people from Pharaoh. It is also the day Imam Husayn, the Prophet's grandson, was martyred at Karbala, which Shia Muslims mourn with majalis and processions. In Pakistan the 9th and 10th of Muharram are public holidays.

Why Muslims fast on Ashura

When the Prophet (ﷺ) came to Madinah, he found the Jews fasting on the 10th of Muharram. They told him it was the day Allah saved Musa and drowned Pharaoh, and that Musa fasted it in thanks. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "We have more right to Musa than you," and fasted it and told the Muslims to fast it (Sahih al-Bukhari 2004, Sahih Muslim 1130).

Before Ramadan was made obligatory, the Ashura fast was required. Once Ramadan was prescribed it became voluntary: whoever wished could fast it and whoever wished could leave it (Sahih al-Bukhari 2001). Its reward remains great: the Prophet (ﷺ) said he hoped the Ashura fast would expiate the sins of the year before (Sahih Muslim 1162).

Which days to fast

Towards the end of his life the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "If I live until next year, I will fast the ninth as well" (Sahih Muslim 1134). He passed away before then, so scholars describe the options this way:

The fast is like any other: from the start of Fajr until Maghrib. The live dates for this year are in the facts above.

Karbala and Imam Husayn

On 10 Muharram 61 AH (680 CE), Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet (ﷺ), was killed at Karbala in Iraq with members of his family and companions, after refusing to pledge allegiance to Yazid. The tragedy is mourned across the Muslim world.

• Shia Muslims hold majalis from the first night of Muharram, recite marsiya and nauha, and take out processions on the 9th and 10th, with taziya and alam in many cities of Pakistan and India.
• Sunni Muslims also honour Husayn and his family, remember Karbala in Friday sermons and gatherings, and keep the Ashura fast.

During these days authorities in Pakistan usually tighten security around processions, and some cities change traffic routes; check local news if you are travelling.

Reports that are not authentic

Several practices tied to Ashura rest on weak or fabricated reports. Scholars such as Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn al-Jawzi pointed out that hadith about applying kohl, taking a special bath, or praying a special Ashura prayer on this day have no sound basis. The report about spending generously on your family on Ashura is weak by the assessment of many hadith scholars, though some accepted it. The fast is the practice that is clearly established.

Spending the day well

1. Fast the 10th with the 9th or 11th.
2. Read the story of Musa and Pharaoh in Surah Ta-Ha (20:9-79) or Surah ash-Shu'ara (26:10-68).
3. Learn about Husayn and the family of the Prophet (ﷺ), and send salawat on them.
4. Give charity and make dua for the oppressed.
5. Keep the day free of arguments about how others observe it.

Ashura 2027 date by country

The Gregorian date of Ashura depends on whether a country follows its own moon sighting or the Umm al-Qura calendar of Saudi Arabia.

Ashura dates for the next five years

Like every Islamic date, Ashura comes about 11 days earlier each Gregorian year. Dates are expected by the calendar and confirmed by moon sighting.