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Is fasting compulsory during the month of mohurrum?


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Fasting is not compulsory in the month of Muharram. It is recommended as this month is considered one of four sacred months in Islam.

Abu Hurayrah reported: "I asked the Prophet: 'Which Prayer is the best after the obligatory Prayers?' He said: 'Prayer during the mid of the night.' I asked: 'Which fasting is the best after that of Ramadan?' He said, 'The month of Allah that you call Muharram??" ~Ahmad, Muslim and Abu Dawud~.

Mu'awiyyah ibn Abi Sufyan reported that he heard the Prophet say: "Concerning the day of Ashura (10th of Muharram), it is not obligatory upon you to fast on it as I do. Whoever wishes may fast and whoever does not wish to is not obliged to do so" ~Al-Bukhari and Muslim~.

Muslim scholars have stated that the fasting of Ashura is of three levels:
1. Fasting only on the 10th of Muharram (Ashura).
2. Fasting on the 9th and 10th of Muharram.
3. Fasting on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of Muharram.