# Ashura Meaning: The 9th and 10th of Muharram Learn the ashura meaning, why Sunnis fast and Shia Muslims remember Karbala, and how to find the 9th and 10th of Muharram each year. Ashura is the 10th of Muharram; Tasua is the 9th. Learn why Muslims mark these days and how to check their dates each year. Published: 2026-09-25 | Updated: 2026-09-25 Canonical: https://qiblafind.net/blog/ashura-and-tasua **Ashura** is the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. **Tasua** is the 9th. The *ashura meaning* differs in emphasis across Muslim communities: many Sunni Muslims fast in gratitude to God, while Shia Muslims mourn the killing of Imam Husayn at Karbala. These histories can be explained together without treating either as the whole story. ## Ashura meaning: What are the 9th and 10th of Muharram? The names come from Arabic words associated with ten and nine. *Ashura* names the 10th of Muharram; *Tasua* names the 9th. You may also see Ashura written **Achoura** in French. Muharram follows the **Hijri calendar**, the Islamic calendar based on lunar months. Ashura and Tasua therefore keep the same Hijri dates but fall on different dates in the Gregorian calendar each year. ## Why do Sunni Muslims fast on Ashura? In a report recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ learned that the Jews of Medina fasted on this day in remembrance of God saving Musa (Moses) and the Children of Israel. He said Muslims had a closer claim to Musa, then fasted and instructed others to fast (Sahih al-Bukhari 2004). For Sunni Muslims, the fast is an act of worship and gratitude to God. A separate report states that the Prophet hoped to fast the **9th** as well if he lived until the following year (Sahih Muslim 1134). This is why many Sunni Muslims fast on both Tasua and Ashura: the 9th and 10th of Muharram. Sunni guidance commonly describes the Ashura fast as voluntary, not obligatory. Practices can vary. If illness, travel, or another personal circumstance affects your fasting, ask a trusted local scholar or imam for advice suited to you. Check your local [prayer times](https://qiblafind.net/prayer-times) for the dawn and sunset times used for a fast where you live. ## Why do Shia Muslims commemorate Karbala? For Shia Muslims, Ashura is above all a day of grief for **Imam Husayn ibn Ali**, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson. Husayn and members of his small group were killed at Karbala in Iraq on the 10th of Muharram, **61 AH**. The tragedy holds a central place in Shia remembrance of injustice, sacrifice, and fidelity to faith. Shia communities may gather for mourning assemblies, hear accounts of Karbala, recite poetry, or take part in processions. Tasua, the day before Ashura, is also a significant day of remembrance. Customs differ between communities, as do views on particular practices. Sunni Muslims also respect and love Husayn and regard his killing as a tragedy. Their customary observance of Ashura, however, centers on the voluntary fast linked to Musa. Shia practice generally centers on mourning Karbala rather than treating Ashura as a celebratory day of fasting. For guidance on a particular observance, speak with a trusted scholar or imam from your community. ## When are Ashura and Tasua in 1449 AH? **Tasua, 9 Muharram 1449 AH, is expected around 14 June 2027; Ashura, 10 Muharram, around 15 June 2027.** These are approximate Gregorian dates, not a universal announcement. The start of Muharram can differ by location and by the calendar or moon-sighting method a community follows. To check the dates near you: 1. Look up 9 and 10 Muharram on the [Hijri calendar and date converter](https://qiblafind.net/hijri-calendar). 2. Confirm which dates your local mosque or community follows. 3. If you plan to fast, check local dawn and sunset times. Optional [prayer-time reminders](https://qiblafind.net/notifications) can help with your daily schedule. Because lunar months are shorter than Gregorian months, Tasua and Ashura generally arrive about 10 or 11 days earlier each Gregorian year. The exact shift varies. Always check the Hijri dates rather than relying on last year’s Gregorian dates. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does Ashura mean? Ashura is the name used for the **10th day of Muharram**. Muslims observe it in different ways: many Sunnis fast, while Shia communities primarily commemorate Imam Husayn and Karbala. ### What is the difference between Ashura and Tasua? Tasua is **9 Muharram**; Ashura is **10 Muharram**. Many Sunni Muslims fast on both days. Both days are also important in Shia remembrance leading up to and including the anniversary of Karbala. ### Do Muslims have to fast on Ashura? In Sunni practice, fasting on Ashura is voluntary, not obligatory. Shia observance generally has a different focus: mourning Husayn. Ask a trusted local scholar or imam about questions concerning your own practice. ### Why is Ashura connected to both Musa and Husayn? The connection to Musa comes from a prophetic report about fasting in gratitude for God’s rescue of him and the Children of Israel (Sahih al-Bukhari 2004). Husayn was killed at Karbala on the same Hijri date centuries later, in 61 AH. The two connections describe different events. ### Is Achoura the same as Ashura? Yes. **Achoura** is a common French spelling of Ashura. Both refer to the 10th of Muharram; **Tasua** refers to the 9th.