Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates from the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he was asked: "Which prayer is the best after the obligatory prayers? And which fasts are the best after the fasts of Ramadan?" So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the prayer in the middle of the night (Tahajjud). And the best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are the fasts of Allah’s month, Muharram."

Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) loved to fast in the month of Sha'ban more than in any other month, then he (peace be upon him) would join it with Ramadan.

Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did not fast in any month of the year more than he fasted in the month of Sha'ban; he (peace be upon him) used to fast the entire month.

A narration similar to the above is reported from Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her). In it, there is this addition that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Do as much as you are able, for Allah does not tire (of giving reward) until you tire (of performing deeds)." And the (supererogatory) prayer most beloved to him was that which was performed regularly, even if it was little. And his blessed practice was that whenever he performed a prayer, he would always continue to perform it.

Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Quraish used to fast on the day of Ashura during the days of ignorance, and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) also used to fast on this day. Then when he migrated to Madinah, he (peace be upon him) fasted on this day and ordered his companions to fast as well. Then, when the fasting of Ramadan was made obligatory, only the fasting of Ramadan remained obligatory and the fasting of Ashura was abandoned. Therefore, whoever wished would fast on this day, and whoever wished would not fast.

Abdur Rahman bin Yazid narrates that Ash'ath bin Qais came to Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) on the day of Ashura while he was eating lunch. Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "O Abu Muhammad, come closer and eat food." He replied, "I am fasting." Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Do you know what Ashura was?" He asked, "What was Ashura?" He replied, "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to fast on this day before the obligation of fasting in Ramadan was revealed, then he (peace be upon him) left it." In the narration of Ali bin Khushram and Yusuf, it is mentioned: "Then when the obligation of Ramadan was revealed, the Prophet (peace be upon him) left the fast of Ashura."

Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the people of the Age of Ignorance used to fast on the day of Ashura. Then, when the obligation of Ramadan was revealed, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about it. He said: "It is one of the days of Allah, so whoever wishes may fast, and whoever wishes may leave it."