The day of ‘Arafaah and the fasting that goes with it should be observed in each
country according to the local times of fajr and maghrib. Fasting on this day expiates
the sins of two years, as the Prophet
(Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) said: "Fasting the day of ‘Arafaah, I hope, will
expiate the sins of the year before it and the year to come, and fasting the day of
‘Aashooraa’ (the tenth day of Muharram), I hope, will expiate the sins of the year
before it." (Reported by Muslim, 1976).