Umm al-Mu’minin Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: In the days of ignorance, the Quraysh used to fast on the day of Ashura. Then when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) came to Madinah, he fasted on that day and ordered (the people) to fast. Then when the fasting of Ramadan was made obligatory, it became obligatory and Ashura was abandoned; whoever wished fasted and whoever wished left it.