Which is better: Sawm on the 10th with the 9th or the 10th with the 11th of Muharram?

Fatwa of Ibn Baaz رحمه الله

(Source: Alifta.net)

Observing Sawm on the 9th and 10th of Muharram is better than on the 10th and 11^th.

Question: What is the ruling on observing Sawm (Fast) on the Day of ‘Ashura’ (10th of Muharram)? Is it better to observe Sawm on the day that precedes it, the day that succeeds it, all the three days, or on the Day of ‘Ashura’ only? Please clarify the matter. May Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى reward you with the best! 

Answer: It is a Sunnah (supererogatory act of worship following the example of the Prophet) to observe Sawm on the Day of ‘Ashura’ for the authentic Hadiths in which the Prophet (صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم) stated so. The Prophet (صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم) mentioned that the Jews used to observe Sawm on that Day because it was the day on which Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى rescued Prophet Musa (عليه السلام) and his people and destroyed Pharaoh and his people. Our Prophet Muhammad (صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم) thus, observed Sawm on the Day of ‘Ashura’ to express his gratitude to Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى, advised Muslims to do so, and directed us as well to observe Sawm on the day preceding or succeeding it. However, observing Sawm on the ninth and tenth of Muharram is better than doing so on the tenth and eleventh. The latter form is also sufficient for it contradicts the practice of the Jews as well. 

One may also observe Sawm on all three days, i.e. the ninth, the tenth, and the eleventh of Muharram as is reported in some narrations: Fast a day before (the Day of ‘Ashura’) and a day after it. But, it is Makruh (reprehensible) to observe Sawm on the Day of ‘Ashura’ only, i.e. without accompanying it by the preceding or the succeeding day. May Allaah grant us success!