47:43 if that is difficult…48:00 the day of Ashura…
The Islamic calendarFrom the masjid's own video, Jun 19, 2026.

Why Muslims should fast Ashura

Abu Bakr El Seddique

“The day of Ashura, brothers and sisters, is the day of victory for the people of Tawheed.”

The khateeb, at 48:00

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Ashura is a significant optional fast and day of gratitude that Muslims should observe, ideally alongside Tasu'a, while prioritizing obligatory worship and avoiding religious innovations.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Explains Ashura's early place in Islamic fasting and its optional status after Ramadan became obligatory.
  2. Establishes that obligatory acts and their attached sunnahs take precedence over unrestricted voluntary worship.
  3. Connects Ashura to Musa, gratitude, and the Prophet's desire to distinguish Muslim practice from others.
  4. Highlights Ashura's reward and recommends fasting Tasu'a and Ashura, or Ashura alone if necessary.
  5. Presents Ashura as a celebration of tawhid, rejects self-harm innovations, and closes with repentance, prayer, and announcements.
Try this week
Fast Tasu'a, the ninth of Muharram, and Ashura, the tenth.
If fasting both days is difficult, fast Ashura rather than missing it.
Use the new Islamic year for repentance, seeking forgiveness, fasting, and night prayer.
Prioritize obligatory worship and its attached sunnahs before unrestricted voluntary acts.
Avoid self-harm practices and other religious innovations.
Sources the khateeb cited
Sahih MuslimProvides hope that fasting Ashura expiates the previous year's sins.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“if that is difficult brothers and sisters then at least fast Thursday and do not miss it brothers and sisters”
Abu Bakr El Seddique · Kensington, NY
Play from 47:43
“the day of Ashura brothers and sisters is the day of victory for the people of Tawheed pure monotheism Allah saved Musa and those who believed with him and drowned Firaun and his followers among disbelievers”
Abu Bakr El Seddique · Kensington, NY
Play from 48:00
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

This khutbah explained that Ashura, the tenth day of Muharram, is a special day of fasting and gratitude because Allah saved Musa and the believers from Pharaoh. The speaker taught that fasting Ashura is hoped to expiate the previous year's sins and encouraged fasting Tasu'a and Ashura together, or at least Ashura if both are difficult. We were reminded to keep worship rooted in the Prophet's guidance, prioritize obligatory deeds and their accompanying sunnahs, and avoid invented practices such as self-harm. As a family, we can welcome the new Islamic year with obedience, repentance, forgiveness, fasting, and prayer.

  1. What is one act of worship you want to prioritize this Islamic year?
  2. Why do you think the speaker encouraged fasting two connected days?
  3. How can we make worship welcoming and manageable for younger children?
Where it was given

The masjid

Masjid Abu Bakr El Seddique115 Foster Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11230ArchiveAll khutbahs at Abu Bakr El Seddique29 khutbahs
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