SAWM 360
The story behind Ashura
When the Prophet ﷺ arrived in Madinah, he found the Jewish community fasting the 10th of Muharram in gratitude for the day Allah saved Musa (عليه السلام) and drowned Pharaoh. He said, "We have more right to Musa than you," fasted it, and commanded the Muslims to fast it. Before Ramadan was ordained, Ashura was even obligatory; afterwards it remained an emphasized sunnah.
The reward
"Fasting the day of Ashura, I hope, expiates the sins of the previous year."— The Prophet ﷺ, Sahih Muslim
Why fast the 9th (Tasu'a) as well?
In his last year, the Prophet ﷺ said: "Next year, if Allah wills, we will fast the ninth" — to distinguish the Muslim practice. He passed away before that Muharram, so fasting both the 9th and 10th became the recommended way. Some scholars also allow the 10th and 11th if the 9th is missed.
When is Ashura this year?
Muharram is the first month of the Hijri year, so Ashura falls just ten days after the Islamic new year — but its Gregorian date shifts every year with the moon. SAWM 360's calendar tags both Tasu'a and Ashura with their 🚩 markers (you can see them in the app's screenshots — 9th and 10th of Muharram flagged in red), and reminds you the evening before each.
Fast Tasu'a & Ashura with SAWM 360
- Spot the red markers — Tasu'a and Ashura are flagged on the Hijri calendar as soon as Muharram begins.
- Enable reminders — get notified the night before the 9th with your local suhoor time.
- Fast both days Fajr → Maghrib — the day view shows the exact window, duration and spiritual motivation for Ashura.
- Mark them completed — both count toward your Muharram merit badge — shareable at month's end.
Frequently asked questions
Is it enough to fast only the 10th of Muharram?
Fasting only Ashura is valid and carries the expiation reward; adding the 9th (Tasu'a) follows the Prophet's ﷺ stated intention and is the recommended practice.
What does fasting Ashura expiate?
The Prophet ﷺ expressed hope that it expiates the minor sins of the previous year (Sahih Muslim). Major sins require repentance.
How do I know Ashura's date in advance?
It's the 10th day of Muharram — SAWM 360's dual calendar shows the corresponding Gregorian date months ahead and reminds you before both Tasu'a and Ashura.