The reward of fasting on the days of Shawwal and the Day of Arafah in the light of authentic hadiths

This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Abu Hamza Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi's book Sahi Fazail-e-Amaal.

The Reward of Fasting in Shawwal​

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عن أبى أيوب رضي الله عنه، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: من صام رمضان، ثم أتبعه ستا من شوال، كان كصيام الدهر
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six (voluntary) fasts in Shawwal, it is as if he fasted for the entire year."

Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Fasting, Chapter on the recommendation of fasting six days of Shawwal following Ramadan, No: 1164.

The Reward of Fasting on the Day of Arafah​

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عن أبى قتادة رضى الله عنه قال: سئل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن صوم يوم عرفة؟ قال: يكفر السنة الماضية والباقية .
Sayyiduna Abu Qatadah رضي الله عنه reports that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was asked about the fast of Arafah, and he صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: "It expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year."

Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Fasting, Chapter on the recommendation of fasting three days of every month and fasting on the day of Arafah, No: 1162