The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are the best ten days of the year and the month of Hajj. The Prophet (peace be on him) highly recommended that we should fast during the first 9 days. The 9th day is the Day of Arafah, and the Prophet (peace be on him) said: There is no day on which Allah frees people from the Fire more so than on the day of ’Arafah. He comes close to those (people standing on ’Arafah), and then He boasts before His angels saying, ‘What are these people seeking. (Muslim) Fasting on the day of Arafah deletes sins for two years One of the companions Abu Qatada, also known as al Harith bin Ribi’i (may Allah be pleased with him) asked about fasting on the day of Arafah and the Prophet (peace be on him) said: Fasting the day of ‘Arafah I hope Allah will expiate thereby for the year before it and the year after it. (Muslim) Fasting on Ashurah deletes sins of one year On the day of ‘Ashura the tenth of Muharram he said fasting deletes the sins of the previous year: He was asked about fasting on the day of ‘Ashura (10th of Muharram), whereupon be said: It expiates the sins of the preceding year Fasting on Mondays It is also recommended to fast on Mondays: He was then asked about fasting on Monday, whereupon he said: It was the day on which I was born. on which I was commissioned with prophet-hood or revelation was sent to me. (Muslim) Minor sins are deleted but not major sins When the narrations say that sins are deleted, these are minor sins. Major sins require tawbah (repentance) to be deleted, and require you to rectify your wrong. For instance, if you have … Continue reading Why you should fast on the Day of Arafah