# Ashura Fasting: Why the Prophet ﷺ Fasted the 10th of Muharram — and Planned the 9th

> Markdown twin of https://sawm360.com/guides/ashura-fasting — last updated 2026-10-12. SAWM 360 is published by OKTRA.

Ashura — the 10th of Muharram — is the fast the Prophet ﷺ found the people of Madinah keeping and made his own, with a reward that wipes out the previous year's sins. And in his final year he resolved to add the 9th, Tasu'a. Here's the story, the reward and the dates.

## 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? Dates for 2027 and 2028

Expected dates by the Umm al-Qura calendar; a local moon sighting can move them by a day.

Tasu'a and Ashura, 2027 and 2028

| Year | Tasu'a (9 Muharram) | Ashura (10 Muharram) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2027 (1449 AH) | Mon 14 Jun 2027 | Tue 15 Jun 2027 |
| 2028 (1450 AH) | Fri 2 Jun 2028 | Sat 3 Jun 2028 |

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 Tasu'a (arrow icon) and Ashura (outlined-star icon), both in red, and — with reminders on — notifies you the evening before each.

### Fast Tasu'a & Ashura with SAWM 360

1. **Spot the red markers** — Tasu'a and Ashura are flagged on the Hijri calendar as soon as Muharram begins.
2. **Enable reminders** — get notified the evening before the 9th (45 minutes after Maghrib); your suhoor alarm shows your local Fajr time.
3. **Fast both days Fajr → Maghrib** — the day view shows the exact window, duration and spiritual motivation for Ashura.
4. **Mark them completed** — both count as recommended fasts toward that calendar month's merit badge, which you can share from the Calendar tab.

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## Frequently asked questions

### When is Ashura in 2027?

Ashura (10 Muharram 1449) is expected on Tuesday 15 June 2027 by the Umm al-Qura calendar, with Tasu'a (the 9th) on Monday 14 June; the moon sighting confirms it and can move it by a day.

### 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 — signed-in users can browse SAWM 360's calendar months ahead to see the markers for Tasu'a and Ashura, and the app reminds you the evening before each.

## Don't let Muharram's best day pass unnoticed

SAWM 360 flags Tasu'a and Ashura and wakes you for suhoor. Free on iOS.

[Download free on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/sawm-360/id6756280452) [Get it free on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sawm360.app)

## Related guides

- [Fasting on the Day of Arafah: Date, Reward & How to Prepare](https://sawm360.com/guides/day-of-arafah-fasting.md)
- [Sunnah Fasting Days: The Complete Monday–Thursday Guide](https://sawm360.com/guides/sunnah-fasting-days.md)
- [White Days Fasting: When Are the White Days This Month?](https://sawm360.com/guides/white-days-fasting.md)