Dream - Soon the Muslim community will celebrate the New Year of 1 Muharram 1446 H. This special moment is certainly welcomed with great joy and various hopes are expressed. Moreover, the month of Muharram is one of the blessed months recommended to be filled with various good deeds, one of which is voluntary fasting. As explained by the Prophet Muhammad: "The most virtuous fast after Ramadan is the fast in the month of Allah, Muharram, and the most virtuous prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer." (Narrated by Muslim)

Then, what about the date of 1 Muharram? Is it also recommended to fast voluntarily? Imam Nawawi said that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) often fasted in the month of Syaban. Nevertheless, the month of Muharram also has its own virtues. "It is possible that the Prophet (pbuh) was only informed of the virtues of Muharram that surpass Syaban in the final years of his life, or it could be that the Prophet (pbuh) already knew but did not have the opportunity to increase his fasting in the month of Muharram due to various obstacles, such as illness, traveling, and so on," explained Imam Nawawi.

Then, it is also explained in the book al-Fatawal Kubral Fiqhiyyah by Ibn Hajar al-Haitami, that the more one fasts in the month of Muharram, the better it is. One can fast for a day, two days, three days, or even throughout Muharram if it does not burden them.

Muslims are encouraged to fast on the 10th of Muharram, known as the Asyura fast. Just as the Quraysh people always fasted on Asyura day, including Prophet Muhammad saw. One of the virtues of observing the Asyura fast is that it can erase sins from the previous year.

"Fasting on Arafah will erase sins of the past year and the coming year." He was also asked about the virtue of fasting on 'Ashura. He replied, "Fasting on 'Ashura will erase sins of the past year." (Narrated by Muslim) Here is the intention for fasting 'Ashura: \u0646\u064e\u0648\u064e\u064a\u0652\u062a\u064f \u0635\u064e\u0648\u0652\u0645\u064e \u063a\u064e\u062f\u064d \u0639\u064e\u0646\u0652 \u0623\u064e\u062f\u064e\u0627\u0621\u0650 \u0633\u064f\u0646\u064e\u0651\u0629\u0650 \u0650\u0639\u064e\u0627 \u0634\u064f\u0648\u0631\u064e\u0627\u0621 \u0644\u0650\u0644\u0647\u0650 \u062a\u064e\u0639\u064e\u0627\u0644\u064e\u0649 Nawaitu shauma ghadin 'an ada'i sunnati 'Asyura lillahi ta'ala. Meaning: "I intend to fast the voluntary fast of 'Ashura for the sake of Allah ta'ala.""

The next recommended voluntary fasting in the month of Muharram is on the 9th of Muharram, known as the fasting of Tasua. This fasting is observed as a distinction from the fasting of the Jews. Additionally, the fasting of Tasua complements the fasting of Ashura. Similar to the fasting of Ashura, the fasting of Tasua is also performed in the month of Muharram, which is considered the main fasting period.

"The most recommended prayer after the obligatory prayers is the prayer in the last third of the night, and the most recommended fasting after Ramadan is fasting in the month of Muharram." (HR. Muslim)Here is the intention for fasting Tasua: نَوَيْتُ صَوْمَ تَاسُعَاءَ سُنَّةً لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى Nawaitu sauma tasu'a sunnatal lillahita'ala. Meaning: "I intend to fast the voluntary fast of Tasua, voluntary for the sake of Allah ta'ala."

The next voluntary fasting in the month of Muharram is on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of Muharram, known as Ayyamul Bidh fasting. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, "Abu Dzar, if you fast three days in a month, then fast on the 13th, 14th, and 15th." (Narrated by at-Tirmidhi)

The following is the intention of fasting Ayyamul Bidh:  "Nawaitu shauma ayyaamil bidh sunnatan lillahi ta'ala." Which means: "I intend to fast Ayyamul Bidh, as a Sunnah for the sake of Allah Ta'ala."