We are now in the Islamic month of Dhu’l-Hijjah one of the month when Muslims perform Hajj (pilgrimage). Fasting the first few days is generously rewarded especially the day of ’Arafah as mentioned in the following Hadith:

It was narrated from Abu Qatadah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah, I hope from Allah, expiates for the sins of the year before and the year after.”

‎حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عَبْدَةَ، أَنْبَأَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا غَيْلاَنُ بْنُ جَرِيرٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَعْبَدٍ الزِّمَّانِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ "‏ صِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ، إِنِّي أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِي قَبْلَهُ وَالَّتِي بَعْدَهُ ‏"‏ ‏.