What is the preferred practice regarding fasting before and after Ashura?

Question:
If one fasts the ninth, tenth, and eleventh, is it not prohibited to fast on the day of Eid?

Answer:
No, that applies to Ashura. One fasts the ninth, tenth, and eleventh, which is Ashura. As for Dhul-Hijjah, there is only the ninth and eighth; it is desired that one fast the eighth along with the ninth.
The day of Eid is not to be fasted, by the consensus of the Muslims. The Day of Sacrifice is not to be fasted, neither as an obligatory fast nor as a voluntary one.
This statement is regarding Ashura: one fasts a day before it or a day after it, and the best is the ninth. If one fasts both the tenth and eleventh, and the ninth, all of that is good.
Q: Is it more cautious to fast the ninth in order to ensure the tenth?
The Shaykh: There is no harm in fasting the ninth and tenth, or the tenth and eleventh. However, if one fasts the ninth, it is better, because the precaution in it is greater.
Q: It may have coincided with the tenth?
The Shaykh: It may coincide with the tenth... and be accompanied by the tenth and eleventh.
Q: Does not His saying, "and He commanded its fasting," indicate obligation?
The Shaykh: That was in the beginning of the matter, then the obligation was abrogated. Some of the scholars of knowledge said: Its fasting was not prescribed; it was only emphasized before the fasting of Ramadan. It was emphasized, then when Ramadan became obligatory, its fasting became recommended without emphasis.