The Day of Ashura and the Importance of Freedom

  Hazrat Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) arrived in Madinah, he observed that the Jews were fasting on the day of Ashura (the tenth of Muharram). The Prophet (peace be upon him) inquired about the significance of that day, and they informed him that it was the day when Hazrat Musa (peace be upon him) achieved victory over Pharaoh. The Prophet (peace be upon him) responded by saying, "We have more right to Hazrat Musa (peace be upon him) than them, so we should fast on this day as well."

In this hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) highlighted the importance of fasting on the day of Ashura and also emphasized another significant aspect. He noted that the Israelites celebrated Ashura as a day of freedom from the bondage of Pharaoh and expressed their gratitude through fasting. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, "I am the true successor of Hazrat Musa (peace be upon him), so I have a greater right to express my gratitude to Allah for the true blessing of freedom."

Throughout history, slavery has been considered the greatest curse for nations, and the liberation of nations has always been a crucial mission of the Prophets. An important event described in the Holy Qur'an is the liberation of the Israelites by Hazrat Musa (peace be upon him) from the Pharaoh of their time. After receiving the prophethood, Hazrat Musa (peace be upon him) said to the Pharaoh, "Set the Children of Israel free and let them accompany me." (Quran 7:105) The same responsibility was also bestowed upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Describing various qualities of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the Holy Qur'an states, "The Prophet loosens the shackles of slavery on his people." (Quran 7:105) The Prophet's (peace be upon him) struggle was based on this principle. He established guiding principles and set practical examples for the liberation not only of the Arab nation but also of the entire world.

In the light of the Qur'an and the life of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), we need to reflect on why our nation and other nations around the world are deprived of true freedom today. What forms of slavery do they endure, and how can they break free from these chains? After fulfilling our religious obligations, the most significant duty is to attain national independence. Without true freedom, it becomes challenging for individuals to adhere to various Sharia laws and religious practices. In other words, such practices remain ineffective and fruitless in society. All the prophets have experienced this struggle to break free from slavery and achieve genuine freedom.

(Translation: Shahid Kiani, China)