"Indeed, male and female Muslim, male and female believers, men and women who remain in obedience, men and women who are true, men and women who are patient, both men and women who fervently , men and women who give alms, men and women who fast, men and women who maintain his honor, men and women who many call (name of) Allah, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and great reward " . (Surat al-Ahzab: 35).

Fasting Ashura is strongly recommended by Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam. He said,

"Fasting is the most important after the fasting of Ramadan is fasting the month of Muharram." (Narrated by: Muslim).

"This hadeeth narrated Ibn Abbas radi 'anhu: he said: Ibn Abbas radi' anhu was asked about fasting on the day of Ashura ', he replied: I never saw the Messenger sallallaahu' alaihi wa sallam virtues of fasting day to figure that day on day-to-day other than on this day. So did (I never saw him) fasting month except this month, the month of Ramadan. " (Narrated by: Muslim).

At first the fast of Ashura is required by the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam. And this is the habit of fasting Quraish in the time of Ignorance. But after Allah 'Azza wa Jalla ordered on the obligation of fasting month of Ramadan, the position of the fast of Ashura became fasting Sunnah.

"This hadeeth narrated Aisha radi 'anha, she said: It is the Quraish in the time of Ignorance always fasted on the day of Ashura' and the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam also fasted on that day. When he migrated to Medina, he still fasted on that day and told his companions to fast on that day. However, when required fasting month of Ramadan, he said: Those who want fast, then fasted and he who does not want to fast, then he should leave. " (Narrated by: Muslim).

Although the fast of Ashura is the sunnah of fasting, the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam strongly recommend to every Muslims to run fast. Fasting Ashura (as well as the fasting of Ramadan and fasting, etc.) has several virtues. One of the virtues of fasting that has been mentioned above that Allah Almighty provides forgiveness and great reward to any of His servants who perform fasting. In addition, the primacy of other fasting is fasting as a shield (protective) themselves from all acts of sin. Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said,

"Fasting is a shield, an armored servant with him from the Fire." (Narrated by: Ahmad).

Because once the primacy of fasting, let us as Muslims perform the Sunnah of fasting (fasting Ashura). And Allaah knows best.