However, over the past few years, the message of Imam Husain's (as) mission has been tampered with, by some small but vociferous groups, trying to belittle the message of Karbala and trying to ignore what took place on Ashura. This was epitomised by Dr. Zakir Naik in 2007 when he gave a speech claiming that the tragedy of Karbala was merely a political battle and referred to Yazid as Radiallah tala anho (May Allah be pleased with him).
More and more we hear of various Muslims who promote fasting on this day. It has apparently been recommended by the Holy Prophet because it is a day that celebrates many famous occasions throughout the history of mankind whilst at the same time blatantly ignoring the sacrifice of Imam Husain (as). They want to devalue the significance of Ashura and distract Muslims from the events on that day.
The alleged hadith by the Holy Prophet tells of a time when he met some Jews who were fasting on the 10th of Muharrum. When he asked them why, he was informed that on this day Prophet Musa celebrated escaping from Egypt and the clutches of the Pharaoh. It was also said to be the day when Prophet Ibrahim was saved from the fire that he was thrown in to burn alive and the day when Prophet Adam descended down to earth from the heavens. Upon hearing this the Holy Prophet declared that all Muslims should also fast on this day, and because no-one loved Prophet Musa, Ibrahim and Adam more than him, he recommended that Muslims should fast on the day before and the day after for good measure as well.
Does any of the above make sense? The Holy Prophet, the most important man on earth, the last of the Prophets of Allah, had to be taught a Jewish tradition that he was unaware of and then decided to make it his own for the Muslims? The hadith has been totally fabricated and has been narrated by the likes of Muawiya ibn Abu Sufyan and Abu Hurairah. Additionally, the Jewish calender does not run in the same pattern as the Islamic calender so the dates should never correspond with each other on a yearly basis. Even if the celebration took place, it would not be on the 10th of Muharrum every year.
Even if you disagree and believe the hadith to be accurate, the fundamental question is do the Jews celebrate the occasion now, will they be fasting tomorrow? The Jews fast on six seperate occasions and none of them celebrate Moses leaving Egypt. So, if the Jew's don't acknowledge such an event, why are some Muslims?
This hadith and the action of fasting has been created simply to belittle the message of Imam Husain (as), an attempt to try to marginalise the events of Karbala. It will never work, the sacrifice of Imam Husain (as) and his companions will live on till the Day of Judgement inshallah. Before I conclude, I attach some pictures of billboards that have been put up across London highlighting the events of Karbala.
