Further evidence that they fasted it only as a recommended act and out of caution is that they are reported to have refrained from fasting it to demonstrate that doing so is permissible. Regarding Ibn ‘Umar, Hanbal said in his Masā’il (Questions) (1): Ahmad ibn Hanbal narrated to us, from Wakī‘, from Sufyān, from ‘Abd al-‘Azīz ibn Hakīm al-Hadramī, who said: “I heard Ibn ‘Umar say: ‘If I were to fast the entire year, I would refrain from fasting on the day of doubt’” (2).

Hanbal said: Ahmad ibn Hanbal also narrated to us, from ‘Abīda ibn Humayd, who said: ‘Abd al-‘Azīz ibn Hakīm informed me, saying: “They asked Ibn ‘Umar: ‘Should we begin fasting before Ramadan so that we do not miss any of it?’ He replied: ‘Fie! Fie! Fast with the community’” (3).

It is authentically reported that ‘Umar (4) said: “None of you should anticipate the month by fasting beforehand.” It is also authentically reported that he (5) said: “Begin fasting when you sight the crescent (6), and end the fast when you sight it. If it is obscured from you, count thirty days” (7).

Likewise, ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib said: “When you sight the crescent, begin fasting, and when you sight it, end the fast. If it is obscured from you, complete the count” (8).