Isolating the Day of Ashura with Fasting

The questioner:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, if one fasts only the day of 'Ashura, the tenth of Muharram, should he be wary of that act?

The Shaykh:
Yes.

The questioner:
If one fasts the Day of 'Ashura, the tenth of Muharram, alone, should he be wary of that action?

The Shaykh:
I understood the question, so what is it?

The questioner:
Did you fast only the day of 'Ashura?

The Shaykh:
It is disliked, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded fasting the day before it, so it is disliked to fast it alone. However, it suffices, and one obtains the reward despite the dislike. Yes.

The questioner:
Honorable Shaykh! May Allah grant you success, what is the ruling for one who has remaining days to make up from last Ramadan? Is it permissible for him to...

The Shaykh:
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) says in *Zad al-Ma'ad* that fasting the day of 'Ashura is of three types. The most complete is to fast three days: the day of 'Ashura, the day before it, and the day after it. This is the most complete. Next is to fast two days: the day of 'Ashura and the day before it, or the day after it. The third is to fast the day of 'Ashura alone. If he fasts it, he obtains the sunnah, but it is disliked for him to fast it alone. Yes.