Fast Of ‘Arafah
عن أبي قتادة أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم سئل عن صوم يوم عرفة فقال كفارة سنتين
Narrated from Abū Qatādah al-Anṣārī Raḍi-Allāhu ‘Anhu that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ was asked about fasting of the day of ‘Arafah so he said: “It is an expiation for *TWO YEARS* (of minor sins).”
● [رواه أحمد ٢٢٠١١]
سئل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن صيام يوم عرفة فقال: يكفر الله به السنة التي قبلها والتي بعدها
In another narration; The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ was asked regarding fasting of the day of ‘Arafah so he said: “Through it Allāh expiates (sins) of the year which was before it and the year which is after it.”
● [صحيح الجامع ، رقم الحديث : ٣٨٥٣ ، صححه الألباني]
⚠ IMPORTANT NOTE ⚠
Imām an-Nawawī Raḥimahullāh mentioned in the Sharḥ of Ḥadeeth regarding fasting of the ‘Arafah: “And what is meant by sins in here are the *MINOR SINS*.”
As for the major sins, they require sincere Tawbah,
قالت عائشة رضي الله عنها: ما من السنة يومًا أصومه أحبُّ إلي من أن أصومَ يوم عرفة.
‘Ā`ishah رضي الله عنها: “There is no day of the year that I love to fast *MORE* than the day of ‘Arafah.”
● [صحيح ، ابن الجعد ٥١٢]
The Prophet [ﷺ] said about fasting on the day of ’Arafah for those not performing the Haj:
❝It expiates sins of the previous year as well as the following year.❞
● [Reported By Muslim, (No. 1250)]