When is the 2026 Ashura Fast? Check the Schedule and Its Significance

The government has determined that 1 Muharram 1448 Hijriah falls on 16 June 2026. During this month of Muharram, Muslims typically observe the sunnah fast of Ashura on the 10th of Muharram. So, when is the Ashura fast in 2026? If following the government and Muhammadiyah schedule, which sets 1 Muharram 1448 H on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, then the Ashura fast will be observed on Thursday, 25 June 2026 (10 Muharram 1448 H). However, it will differ if you follow the NU schedule. The Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) announced that 1 Muharram 1448 H falls on Wednesday, 17 June 2026. According to the official NU website and the official Instagram account of the PBNU Falakiyah Institute, the announcement was conveyed via letter number 146/PB.08/A.II.11.13/13/06/2026. In the letter, the PBNU Falakiyah Institute stated that it had conducted a hilal sighting on Monday, 29 Zulhijah 1447 H, or 15 June 2026. All monitoring points reported not seeing the hilal. “As a follow-up, the beginning of the month of Muharram 1448 H coincides with Wednesday Kliwon, 17 June 2026 AD (starting Wednesday night) on the basis of istikmal,” the letter stated. Thus, if you follow the NU determination, the 2026 Ashura fast will be observed on Friday, 26 June 2026 (10 Muharram 1448 H). The Meaning of the Ashura Fast Citing the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) website, historically, the day of Ashura is a historic day when Allah saved Prophet Moses (A.S.) and his people, and drowned Pharaoh and his army, making it a day of gratitude and the victory of truth over falsehood. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “I have more right to emulate Moses than you” (H.R. Bukhari), and he then fasted and instructed his ummah to observe it as a form of gratitude and example. Ibn Kathir wrote in his tafsir, “The great event on this day serves as an eternal lesson that Allah’s help will surely come for His patient and pious servants, and falsehood will surely be destroyed in its time.” This story teaches us that severe trials will end in victory if we remain steadfast, and fasting on this day becomes a moment to remember Allah’s promise that He does not abandon His faithful servants. From a spiritual perspective, the Ashura fast has extraordinary virtues as a means of self-purification and expiation of sins. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) affirmed, “For fasting the day of Ashura, I hope that Allah will accept it as expiation for the sins of the previous year” (H.R. Muslim). Sheikh Abdul Qadir Al-Jailani reminded, “The reward of expiation of sins is not merely a free gift, but the result of fear, hope, and a change of heart that is born when we fast, reflect, and return to Allah.” This is in line with Allah’s decree in Q.S. Al-Baqarah verse 183, “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous.” The main purpose of fasting is not merely to endure hunger and thirst, but to cultivate piety, self-awareness, and sensitivity of the heart to avoid repeating past mistakes.