It was narrated from Abu Qataadah that the Messenger of Allaah was asked about fasting on the day of ‘Arafah and he said: “It expiates for the past and coming years.” Narrated by Muslim (1162)
Fasting on the day of ‘Ashoora’ or ‘Arafah only expiates minor sins; as for major sins, they require sincere repentance.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: It is narrated in saheeh reports from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) that fasting the day of ‘Arafah expiates (the sins of) two years and fasting the day of ‘Ashoora’ expiates (the sins of) one year. But saying that it expiates does not mean that major sins can be expiated without repentance. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said that from one Jumu‘ah to the next and from one Ramadan to the next “expiate what comes between them so long as one avoids major sins.” It is well known that prayer is better than fasting, and fasting Ramadan is better than fasting the day of ‘Arafah, and fasting on these occasions does not expiate bad deeds unless one avoids major sins, as stipulated by the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). So how can anyone think that observing a voluntary fast of one or two days will expiate for zina, stealing, drinking alcohol, gambling, witchcraft and the like? This cannot be the case.
End quote from Mukhtasar al-Fataawa al-Masriyyah, 1/254.
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: One of them said that the day of ‘Ashoora’ expiates for the sins of the entire year and fasting ‘Arafah adds to the reward. This deluded person does not realise that fasting Ramadan and offering the five daily prayers is greater and better than fasting the day of ‘Arafah and the day of ‘Ashoora’, and they only expiate for the time between them if major sins are avoided.
From one Ramadan to the next, from one Jumu‘ah to the next, is not enough to expiate minor sins unless that is accompanied by avoidance of major sins, then the two things referred to will be able to expiate minor sins.
How can observing a voluntary fast for one day expiate for all major sins a person commits and persists in, when he does not repent from them? That is impossible.
However there is nothing to suggest that fasting the day of ‘Arafah and the day of ‘Ashoora’ cannot expiate for all the sins of the year in general; in that case the hadeeth should be interpreted as one of the texts that promise reward provided that the conditions are met and the impediments avoided, and persisting in major sins is an impediment to expiation. So if one does not persist in major sin, fasting and not persisting (in sin) together will be able to achieve expiation in a general sense, just as Ramadan and the five daily prayers, along with avoidance of major sins, are able together to bring about expiation of minor sins, even though (only one condition is mentioned in the verse in which) Allah, may He be glorified, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“If you avoid the great sins which you are forbidden to do, We shall remit from you your (small) sins, and admit you to a Noble Entrance (i.e. Paradise)” [an-Nisa’ 4:31].
Thus we learn that the fact that one thing is made a cause for expiation does not rule out the fact that it could be supported by another cause; expiation when two causes are combined is more likely and better than that for which there is only one cause. The stronger the means of expiation, the more likely it is and the more perfect and comprehensive it will be.
End quote from al-Jawaab al-Kaafi, p. 13
Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Fasting the day of ‘Arafaah expiates for all minor sins, in othr words this brings forgiveness for all sins except for major sins.
Then he said: Fasting the day of ‘Arafaah is an expiation for two years, and the day of ‘Ashoora is an expiation for one year, and if a person’s Ameen coincides with the Ameen of the angels, his previous sins will be forgiven… Each of the things mentioned may bring expiation. If he does something that expiates for minor sins he will be expiated, and if there are no minor or major sins, it will be recorded for him as good deeds and he will rise in status thereby… If there is one or more major sins and no minor sins, we hope that it will reduce his major sins.
Al-Majmoo’ Sharh al-Muhadhdhab, part 6.
With regard to the reason why the Prophet fasted on the day of ‘Ashoora’ and urged the people to do likewise is mentioned in the hadeeth narrated by al-Bukhaari (1865) from Ibn ‘Abbaas, who said: The Prophet came to Madeenah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Ashoora’. He said, “What is this?” They said, “This is a good day, this is the day when Allaah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy and Moosa fasted on this day.” He said, “We are closer to Moosa than you.” So he fasted on this day and told the people to fast.
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