A wife of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to fast the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, the Day of Ashura, and three days in every month.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Fasting on the Day of Arafah, that is, the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, becomes an expiation for the sins of the previous and the coming two years, and fasting on the Day of Ashura is an expiation for the sins of the previous year.

. Sayyiduna Abdur Rahman bin Abi Bakr went to Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with them both) on the day of Arafah while she was fasting, and (due to the intensity of the heat) water was being poured over her. Sayyiduna Abdur Rahman (may Allah be pleased with him) said to her: "You should break your fast," but she replied: "How can I break my fast, when I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: 'The fast of Arafah is an expiation for the sins of the previous year.'"