from ‘Ā’ishah and Asmā’, the two daughters of Abū Bakr. I know of no one other than them who adopted Ibn ‘Umar’s view (1).”
He said (2): “Those reported to have disapproved of fasting (3) on the day of doubt include ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb, ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib, Ibn Mas‘ūd, Hudhayfah, Ibn ‘Abbās, Abū Hurayrah, and Anas ibn Mālik (4).”
I say: What is transmitted from ‘Umar, ‘Alī, ‘Ammār, Hudhayfah, and Ibn Mas‘ūd is the prohibition of fasting the last day of Sha‘bān as a voluntary fast. It is concerning this that ‘Ammār said: “Whoever fasts the day about which there is doubt has disobeyed Abū al-Qāsim” (5).
As for fasting the day when the crescent is obscured by clouds as a precaution, on the understanding that if it is a day of Ramadan, the fast is obligatory (6), and otherwise voluntary, the reports transmitted from the Companions indicate that this is permissible. This is what Ibn ‘Umar and ‘Ā’ishah used to do. This is so even though ‘Ā’ishah reported
(1) All their views have already been mentioned.
(2) That is, Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr in al-Istidhkār (3:369).
(3) ص, ج, ع read “siyām” (fasting).
(4) The report from ‘Alī and ‘Umar is recorded by Ibn Abī Shayba (9582); its chain of transmission includes Mujālid. Ibn Abī Shayba also records the reports from Ibn Mas‘ūd (9583), Hudhayfa (9493, 9497), and Anas (9494). Ibn ‘Abbās’s statement is recorded by al-Nasā’ī (2125), Ahmad (1931), and al-Bayhaqī (4:207). Abū Hurayra’s statement, “Do not join any fasting to Ramadan; keep them separate,” is transmitted by ‘Abd al-Razzāq (7313).
(5) Al-Bukhārī cites it as a mu‘allaq report (with the beginning of its chain omitted), using affirmative wording (3:27). Abū Dāwūd (2334), al-Tirmidhī (686), and al-Nasā’ī (2188) transmit it with a connected chain. It was authenticated by al-Tirmidhī, Ibn Khuzayma (1914), Ibn Hibbān (3585), and al-Hākim (1:423). Al-Dāraqutnī (2150) said: “This chain is hasan sahīh (sound and authentic), and all its narrators are trustworthy.”
(6) ق, مب read “farduhu” (his obligatory fast). The adopted reading follows the remaining manuscripts.