1. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims
  2. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

21 Questions

What should we do on the day of Ashoor? Is it permissible to mourn for Imam Hussein (as) on our own if we cannot attend a gathering?
Zaid Alsalami

Bismihi ta'ala

Unfortunately, with the situation we are in now, with lockdowns and covid19, most centres are closed or not functioning at full capacity. Most have turned to online programs. 

If you live in an area where physical attendance is allowed, try your best to be present in those gathering and share together your state of mourning with other believers. 

If you are in a place where you are restricted, then your only option is to attend a program online, and try to interact as much as possible. You can also create a positive spiritual atmosphere at home as well, so people in the house feel the sadness of Muharram and Safar. 

Find alternative ways to serve your Imam (a.s.), and keep the 'azaa culture alive. Cook, and share food with your neighbours, wear black, etc... 

All these things, in shaa Allah, will assist us in our ma'rifah towards the Imam (a.s.), and will please them.

With prayers for your success.  
My house rental agreement will expire soon and I have to shift to a new house. Can I do this during Moharram as long as it is not on the day of Ashura?
Zaid Alsalami

Bismihi ta'ala

There would not be any shar'i problem with changing places, as long as there is no intention in desecrating the sanctity of this holy time of mourning. 

It would be advisable, if it is possible, to postpone until after Ashura, and to continue to allocate time for your 'azaa` and dedication in mourning for Imam Husain (a.s.). 

With prayers for your success. 
Can we perform the Amaal of Ashura inside the house since we do not have a place to perform under the sky?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Yes we can perform it at home. It is not compulsory to perform it under the sky.

Wassalam.
Is it permissible to fast the entire day on Ashura?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Fasting the day of Ashura is called by our Imams as (The Fast of Ibn Marjana) according to the narrations. Ibn Marjana was the commander of the army of Yazeed who killed Imam Husain (AS).

It is Makrouh (Disliked) to fast that day. Ibn Marjana and his people wanted to celebrate the day of Ashura to make Muslims forget their crime, that it why they paid lot of money to false narrators to fabricate narrations encouraging people to fast and celebrate that day. We have evidence that narrations encouraging fasting on the day of Ashura are fabricated by enemies of Ahlul Bayt (AS). 

The recommended on the day of Ashura is to remember the tragedy of Karbala and weep and cry on it and refrain from eating and drinking till after noon. This is called Faqa.

Wassalam.