to Ibn ‘Umar. Al-Bayhaqī said (1): “It has also been narrated from Ibn ‘Umar as a report traced back to the Prophet, but it is not authentic.” He further said: “It has also been narrated from Ibn ‘Abbās as a report traced back to the Prophet, but it is not authentic” (2).

The point is that ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar followed a path of strictness and caution. Ma‘mar narrated from Ayyūb, from Nāfi‘, that when Ibn ‘Umar caught one rak‘ah with the imam, he would add another, then perform two prostrations of forgetfulness after completing his prayer. Al-Zuhrī said: “I know of no one else who did this” (3).

I say: It seems that these prostrations were on account of his having sat after one rak‘ah, whereas the proper place for that sitting is after an even number of rak‘ahs.

Evidence that the Companions did not fast this day as an obligation is their statement: “We would rather fast a day of Sha‘bān than fail to fast a day of Ramadan.” Had they regarded this day as definitely belonging to Ramadan, they would have said: “This is a day of Ramadan, so we may not refrain from fasting it.” And Allah knows best.