Is it makruh to fast only on the Day of Ashura?
Is it makruh to fast only the 10th of Muharram? What does it mean “to differ the Jews while fasting Ashura?
It is makruh to fast only on the Day of Ashura
It is makruh tanzihi to fast only on Friday or only on Saturday and especially only the 10th day of Muharram which is called “the Day of Ashura” (Great Islamic Jurisprudence)
Because, Ashura is a day which is venerated not only by Muslims but also by Jews and Christians. (Abu Dawud) the Jews also fasted on the 10th day of Muharram, so Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) ordered the Muslims to differ from them fasting on Ashura by not fasting only the 10th day.
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
“When the Prophet came to Medina, he found (the Jews) fasting on the day of 'ashura' (i.e. 10th of Muharram). They used to say: "This is a great day on which Allah saved Moses and drowned the folk of Pharaoh. Moses observed the fast on this day, as a sign of gratitude to Allah." The Prophet said, "I am closer to Moses than they." So, he observed the fast (on that day) and ordered the Muslims to fast on it.” (Bukhari; 55; 609)
Ibn 'Abbas reported that when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) fasted on the day of 'ashura and commanded that it should he observed as a fast, they (his Companions) said to him: Messenger of Allah, it is a day which the Jews and Christians hold in high esteem. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When the next year comes, God willing, we would observe fast on the 9th But the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) died before the advent of the next year. (Muslim, 6, 2528)
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) wanted to differ from the Jews and Christians
Narrated Aws ibn Thabit al-Ansari: The Apostle of Allah (pbuh) said: “Act differently from the jews.” (Abu Dawud; 2; 652)
Observe fasting on the day of `Ashura’, but differ from the Jews and fast one day before it and one day after it (Ahmad bin Hanbal, Baihaqi)
“Observe fasting on the day of Ashura , but differ from the Jews and fast the ninth and tenth days.” (Thirmidi)
“Observe fasting on the day of Ashura , but differ from the Jews and add the fasting of the ninth and eleventh days of Muharram.” (Baihaqi, Imam Suyuti)