This year, Asyura falls around June 25, 2026 (10 Muharram 1448 H). It's one of the most special optional fasts in Islam — strongly recommended, wipes a year of sins, and has a story children love.
The history: Prophet Musa and the Children of Israel
When the Prophet ﷺ migrated to Madinah, he saw Jews fasting on 10 Muharram. He asked why. They said: "This is the day Allah saved Prophet Musa and the Children of Israel from Pharaoh. Musa fasted in gratitude."
The Prophet ﷺ said: "I have more right to Musa than you" — and fasted, and instructed the Muslims to fast too. (Bukhari 2004, Muslim 1130)
This is a story children love. About Musa, Pharaoh, a sea splitting, struggle, then gratitude to Allah.
The ruling on Asyura fast
- Strongly recommended (sunnah mu'akkadah) for every able adult Muslim.
- Wipes the sins of the past year (Muslim 1162) — minor sins, conditional on staying away from major ones.
- Extra recommendation: also fast on 9 Muharram (Tasu'a) — to differ from the Jewish practice of fasting only on 10.
- Or: fast 10 and 11 Muharram. Or all three: 9, 10, 11.
The ruling for children
Children who are not yet baligh are not obligated for any fast — not even Ramadan, let alone Asyura. But training from ages 5–7 is sunnah. The companions in Madinah trained their children to fast Asyura by giving them wool toys — when the child got hungry, they played.
The lesson: train, don't force. Give experience, not burden.
How to teach, by age
Ages 3–5: just observe
Suhoor together, even though the child won't fast. Mention: "Today mom is fasting. It's called Asyura, the 10th day of Muharram." When you break, the child watches. That's enough.
Ages 6–8: half-day, if interested
If they're curious, try a half-day — from suhoor until noon. Plan distractions (books, morning walks). Break at noon with a favorite food. Even half a day is a big experience.
Details: Your Child's First Fast.
Ages 9+: full day, if used to it
A child who already does half-day or more of Ramadan can try a full Asyura. But consider: school that day? Heavy physical activity? Adjust.
Story as the opener
A few days before 10 Muharram, tell the child the story of Musa and Pharaoh — as emotional preparation. By the time Asyura arrives, the child already has emotional context for why this day is special.
Deeper: How to Tell Prophet Stories.
What to avoid
- Don't force a full fast on an unready child. Fasting trauma at 6 can make them refuse at 16.
- Don't promise material rewards. "If you fast the whole day I'll buy you a toy." That teaches transaction, not worship.
- Don't mix with non-Islamic culture. Asyura's meaning is complete on its own — no need to borrow from Shia Ashura culture or other observances.
What to build
- Suhoor together, even if only 1–2 family members are fasting.
- Iftar together, with dates + water, like Ramadan.
- The break-fast dua for a child who just did a half-day. See Dua When Breaking Fast.
- Reflection: "How did that feel? Want to try again next year?"
Closing
Asyura is one of the days the Prophet ﷺ kept most consistently after Ramadan. Introducing it to your child plants the seed of a lifelong relationship with this worship.
Doesn't need to be perfect this year. Just start. Next year will be better.