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Grand Mufti urges

Muslims to intensify

their piety during

Muharram

RIYADH: The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Al-alsheikh, who is also head of the Council of Senior Scholars and the Directorate of Ifta and Research in the Kingdom, has urged Muslims to intensify their piety during the remaining days of the month of Muharram. He quoted the Prophet (PBUH) as saying that there is no better fasting after the Ramazan fasting that fasting in Muharram, and that there is no better prayer as prayer performed at night, after the mandatory prayers.

He said among the best days to observe the fast during Muharram is the Day of Ashura, as observed by the Prophet (PBUH) and the guided caliphs who followed him.

He said: It is recommended that every Muslim man or woman ought to fast on the tenth of Muharram, and better still if he to she can also fast a day before or a day after, so as differ from the Jews, who used to fast only on that particular day. He added that fasting three days is more rewarding and good, in that it has been said that fasting on Ashura can expiate for the sins of the whole year.

Sheikh Abdul Aziz said that in view of the fact that the first day of Muharram this year fell on a Thursday, it is therefore advisable that Muslims should fast on Friday and Saturday, i.e. ninth and tenth of Muharram, or on Saturday and Sunday (10th and 11th). But if one fasts all the three days, so much the better, he added.

For his part, the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Justice, Sheikh Saleh Al-Lihedan, aid that even during the days of ignorance Arabs used to fast on the day of Ashura. He said when the Prophet (PBUH) emigrated to Madina, he also observed the fast and also ordered that it be observed. But when the Ramazan fasting was ordained, he told his followers that it was entirely up to anyone to observe or not to observe the fast on Ashura.

Sheikh Lihedan also said that fasting the Ashura Day could expiate for the sins of the whole year.ÑAPP