Sayyiduna Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Regarding the day of Ashura, I hope from Allah Almighty that it will be an expiation for the sins of the previous year, and regarding the day of Arafah, I hope from Allah Almighty that it will be a cause for the forgiveness of the sins of the previous year and the coming year." Imam Abu Bakr (may Allah have mercy on him) says that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has informed that the fast of the day of Arafah becomes an expiation for the sins of the previous and coming year. This is evidence that a good deed can sometimes precede the action. In this way, a previous good deed becomes an expiation for the sins of the coming year.