Ibn ‘Abbās would not fast that day, citing the Prophet’s words (peace and blessings be upon him): “Do not begin fasting until you see the crescent, and do not end your fast until you see it. If it is obscured from you, complete the count of thirty days.” Mālik mentioned this report from him in his Muwatta’ (1), after mentioning Ibn ‘Umar’s hadith, seemingly treating it as an explanation of Ibn ‘Umar’s hadith and the words: “Reckon its duration.”
Ibn ‘Abbās would say: “I am astonished at those who anticipate the month by a day or two, when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘Do not anticipate Ramadan by a day or two’ (2).” It appears that he was objecting to Ibn ‘Umar’s practice.
Such was the approach of these two Companions, both leading authorities: one inclined towards strictness, the other towards leniency, and this was so on several issues. ‘Abd Allāh ibn ‘Umar adopted certain strict practices in which the other Companions did not agree with him. He would wash the insides of his eyes during ablution until he became blind as a result (3). When wiping his head, he would use fresh water separately for his ears (4). He would refrain from entering the bathhouse (5), and whenever he did enter it, he would perform a full bath afterward (6),