Fasting the day of Ashura is called by our Imams as (The Fast of Ibn Marjana) according to the narrations. Ibn Marjana was the commander of the army of Yazeed who killed Imam Husain (AS).
It is Makrouh (Disliked) to fast that day. Ibn Marjana and his people wanted to celebrate the day of Ashura to make Muslims forget their crime, that it why they paid lot of money to false narrators to fabricate narrations encouraging people to fast and celebrate that day. We have evidence that narrations encouraging fasting on the day of Ashura are fabricated by enemies of Ahlul Bayt (AS).
The recommended on the day of Ashura is to remember the tragedy of Karbala and weep and cry on it and refrain from eating and drinking till after noon. This is called Faqa.
It is permissible but it is strongly disapproved of (makruh) by the Imams. However, it is recommended to eat or drink simply towards the end of the day such that one is not considered fasting, rather than indulging.
It is good to keep in mind that the custom of fasting on Ashura relates to celebrations by the Umayyads over their victory and also false narrations claiming that the day of Ashura was significant for other reasons (apart from the martyrdom of Imam Husayn) which were attempts to deflect attention away from Imam Husayn.
It is not obligatory but it is recommended. It is considered to be an appropriate form of expression on Ashura, and a means of attracting divine blessings and linking the followers of the Ahl al-Bayt to the Ahl al-Bayt.
Sh'is do not accept the hadith saying to fast on Ashura as valid. They are considered fabrications which came about in/after the time of Yazid to promote Ashura as a day of celebration. (Indeed, in some areas, Ashura is still celebrated as a holiday.)
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