´It was narrated that Hafsah said:` "There are four things which the Prophet never gave up: Fasting 'Ashura', (fasting during) the ten days, (fasting) three days of each month, and praying two Rak'ahs before Al-Ghadah (Fajr)."
Hadith Referenceسنن نسائي / كتاب الصيام / 2418
Hadith Gradingالألبانی:ضعيف | زبیر علی زئی:ضعيف، إسناده ضعيف، أبو إسحاق الأشجعي: لم أجد من وثقه،والحديث الآتي (2419) يغني عن حديثه. انوار الصحيفه، صفحه نمبر 339
1؎: What is meant are the first nine days of Dhu al-Hijjah; the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah is excluded from this, because it is not permissible to fast on the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahr).
Explanation & Benefits
Hafiz Muhammad Ameen
Urdu footnote: "The fasts of Dhul-Hijjah." In the hadith, ten days are mentioned, but what is meant are nine days, because the tenth day is the day of Eid. And it is absolutely prohibited to fast on the day of Eid. By way of predominance, the nine are referred to as ten days. In the following hadith, only nine are mentioned.
Source: Sunan Nasa'i: Translation and Benefits by Shaykh Hafiz Muhammad Amin Hafizullah, Page: 2418