'Abdullah bin 'Umar (RA) reported that the day of 'Ashura was mentioned before the Messenger of Allah ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) and he said: It is a day when the people in the pre-Islamic days need to observe fast, so he who wishes to observe fast should do so, and he who wishes to abandon it should do so.

Abdul Rahman bin Yazid said: When al-Ash'ath bin Qais entered the house of 'Abdullah he was having his breakfast. He ('Abdullah bin 'Umar (RA) said: Abu Muhammad (al-Asha'th), came near to the breakfast. Thereupon he said: Is not today the Day of 'Ashura? He ('Abdul Rahman) said: Do you know what the Day of 'Ashura is? He said: What is it? He said: It is a day on which the Messenger of Allah ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) used To observe fast before the (fasting) in the month of Ramadan became obligatory. But when it became obligatory the (fasting of 'Ashura) was abandoned (as compulsory). Abu Kuraib said: He (the Holy Prophet ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) abandoned it.

This hadith has been narrated from Jarir on the authority of A'mash with the same chain of transmitters and he said (these words with a little bit of variation from the previous hadith): When (fasting) in Ramadan was (made) obligatory, he abandoned it (the practice of observing fast on Ashura).

Qais b. Sakan reported that al-Ash'ath bin Qais went to 'Abdullah on the day of 'Ashura while he was eating. He said: Abu Muhammad, come near and dine. Upon this he said: I am fasting. Thereupon he said: We used to observe fast and then (this practice) was abandoned.

'Alqama reported that Ash'ath bin Qais went to Ibn Mas'udd while he was eating on the day of Ashura. Thereupon he said: Abu Abdul Rahman, it is the day of 'Ashura (and you are eating). Upon this he said: Fast was observed on (this day) before the (fasting) in Ramadan was made obligatory, but when it was made obligatory, (fasting on the day of 'Ashura) was abandoned. So if you are not fasting, then take food.

Jabir b. ahadeeth reported that the Messenger of Allah ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) commanded us to observe fast on the day of Ashura and exhorted us to do it and was particular about it But when (fasting) in Ramadan was made obligatory, he hence forth neither commanded us nor forbade us, nor was he so particular about it.

Abdul Rahman reported that he heard Mu'awiyahh bin Abu Sufyan (RA) delivering a sermon in Madinah. i. e. when he came there (for Hajj). He delivered a sermon on the day of 'Ashura and said: People of Madinah, where are your scholars? I heard the Messenger of Allah ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) say on this very day: It is the day of 'Ashura. Allah has not made fasting on This day obligatory for you but I am fasting. He who likes to observe fast among you should do so, and he who likes not to observe it may not observe it.

A hadith like this has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Shihab through the same chain of transmitters.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Zuhri with the same chain of transmitters that be heard Allah's Apostle ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) as saying on a similar day: I am fasting today, so he who wishes to observe fast should do so; but he did not make mention of the rest of the hadith.

Ibn Abbas (RA) (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported that when Allah's Messenger ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) came to Madinah, he found the Jews observing the fast on the day of Ashura. They (the Jews) were asked about it and they said: It is the day on which Allah granted victory to Moses (ؑ) and (his people) Bani Isra'il over the Pharaoh and we observe fast out of gratitude to Him. Upon this the Apostle of Allah ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) said: We have a closer connection with Moses (ؑ) than you have, and he commanded to observe fast on this day.