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ArticlesQuestion:
Which is better, fasting the Day of ‘Arafah or fasting the tenth of Muharram, and what is the proof of this?
Fatwa:
All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His Slave and Messenger.
is His Slave and Messenger.Fasting the Day of ‘Arafah is better than fasting the tenth of Muharram as fasting the Day of ‘Arafah atones for the sins of two years - the one that has preceded it and the one that follows it.
Fasting the tenth of Muharram atones for the sins of two years, on the other hand, only atones for the sins of one year. This is proved by the Hadeeth on the authority of Abu Qataadah, may Allah be pleased with him, where the Prophet said: "I seek from Allah that fasting the Day of ‘Arafah would atone for the sins of the preceding and the coming year, and I seek from Allah that fasting the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ (Tenth of Muharram) would atone for the sins of the preceding year." Ibn Hajar 
said,"It is clear that fasting the Day of ‘Arafah is better than fasting the tenth of Muharram. It was said that the wisdom behind this is that the tenth of Muharram is related to Prophet Moosa (Moses), may Allah exalt his mention, while the Day of ‘Arafah is related to Prophet Muhammad and this is why it is better."
said: "I seek from Allah that fasting the Day of ‘Arafah would atone for the sins of the preceding and the coming year, and I seek from Allah that fasting the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ (Tenth of Muharram) would atone for the sins of the preceding year." Ibn Hajar said,"It is clear that fasting the Day of ‘Arafah is better than fasting the tenth of Muharram. It was said that the wisdom behind this is that the tenth of Muharram is related to Prophet Moosa (Moses), may Allah exalt his mention, while the Day of ‘Arafah is related to Prophet Muhammad and this is why it is better."Allah Knows best.
