'Aishah said:
The Quraish used to fast on the day of 'Ashurah in pre Islamic days. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would fast on it in pre-Islamic period. When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to Medina, he fasted on it and commanded to fast on it. When the fast of Ramadan was prescribed, that became obligatory, and (fasting on) 'Ashurah was abandoned. He who wishes may fast on it and he who wishes may leave it.

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، - رضى الله عنها - قَالَتْ كَانَ يَوْمُ عَاشُورَاءَ يَوْمًا تَصُومُهُ قُرَيْشٌ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَصُومُهُ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَلَمَّا قَدِمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ الْمَدِينَةَ صَامَهُ وَأَمَرَ بِصِيَامِهِ فَلَمَّا فُرِضَ رَمَضَانُ كَانَ هُوَ الْفَرِيضَةَ وَتُرِكَ عَاشُورَاءُ فَمَنْ شَاءَ صَامَهُ وَمَنْ شَاءَ تَرَكَهُ .