Ibn'Abbas (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported that the Messenger of Allah ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) arrived in Medina and found the Jews observing fast on the day of 'Ashura. The Messenger of Allah ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) said to them:
What is the (significance) of this day that you observe fast on it? They said: It is the day of great (significance) when Allah delivered Moses and his people, and drowned the Pharaoh and his people, and Moses observed fast out of gratitude and we also observe it. Upon this the Messenger of Allah ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) said: We have more right, and we have a closer connection with Moses than you have; so Allah's Messenger ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) observed fast (on the day of 'Ashura), and gave orders that it should be observed.