Qutaybah ibn Sa'id and Muhammad ibn Rumh narrated to us, both from al-Layth ibn Sa'd — Ibn Rumh said: al-Layth informed us — from Yazid ibn Abi Habib, that 'Irak informed him that 'Urwah informed him that 'A'ishah informed him that the Quraysh used to fast on 'Ashura' during the pre-Islamic period. Then the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, commanded fasting on it until Ramadan was made obligatory. Then the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever wishes, let him fast it, and whoever wishes, let him break his fast on it."