This hadith warns against fasting on “the Day of Doubt”, which refers to a after 29th day of Sha’ban because it can either be 30th day of Sha’ban or 1st day of Ramadan when it is unclear whether Ramadan has begun. This happens when the sky is cloudy, preventing the sighting of the new moon.
Arabic text
وَعَنْ عَمَّارِ بْنِ يَاسِرٍ - رضى الله عنه - قَالَ: { مَنْ صَامَ اَلْيَوْمَ اَلَّذِي يُشَكُّ فِيهِ فَقَدْ عَصَى أَبَا اَلْقَاسِمِ - صلى الله عليه وسلم -} وَذَكَرَهُ اَلْبُخَارِيُّ تَعْلِيقًا, وَوَصَلَهُ اَلْخَمْسَةُ, وَصَحَّحَهُ اِبْنُ خُزَيْمَةَ, وَابْنُ حِبَّانَ
Translation(Meaning)
’Ammar bin Yasir (RAA) narrated, ‘Whoever fasts the day of doubt he has then disobeyed Abu al-Qasim (the Prophet (ﷺ).’ Related by the five Imams, and Ibn Khuzaimah and Ibn Hibban graded it as Sahih
What is the “Day of Doubt”?
The 30th of Sha’ban when the new moon is not seen, making it uncertain whether Ramadan has started.If the moon is sighted, Ramadan begins, and fasting is obligatory. If the moon is not sighted, Sha’ban continues, and fasting remains voluntary.
Why is Fasting on This Day Prohibited?
- Obeying the Prophet ﷺ: He forbade fasting on the Day of Doubt, making it haram or disliked.
- Avoiding Innovation (Bid’ah): Fasting on this day without confirmation of Ramadan introduces unnecessary doubt in religion.
- Preserving the Distinction of Ramadan: The Prophet ﷺ emphasized clear moon sighting to determine Ramadan’s beginning.
Evidence from Other Hadiths
- The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Fast when you see it (the crescent of Ramadan) and break your fast when you see it (the crescent of Shawwal). If it is cloudy, then complete Sha’ban as thirty days.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 1909, Sahih Muslim 1081)
This shows that fasting should not be based on speculation but on clear moon sighting or completing 30 days of Sha’ban.
- The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Do not precede Ramadan by fasting a day or two before it, except for a person who is in the habit of fasting (on those days).” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1914, Sahih Muslim 1082)
This reinforces that fasting before Ramadan is not allowed unless it aligns with habitual voluntary fasting.
Qur’anic verse
Although the Qur’an does not directly mention the Day of Doubt, it emphasizes clear rules for fasting:
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185): “So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it.”
This verse indicates that fasting begins only after seeing the crescent, not based on assumptions.
Some Wisdoms Behind This Prohibition
- Islam promotes clarity and certainty in acts of worship. Fasting on a doubtful day can lead to confusion about when Ramadan starts.
- If fasting starts before Ramadan is confirmed, it may lead to extra fasting days beyond what Allah has commanded.
- The Prophet (ﷺ) clearly commanded fasting only when the moon is sighted. Disobeying this rule means introducing personal interpretation into religious matters.
Summary
The hadith of Ammar ibn Yasir (RAA) strongly prohibits fasting on the Day of Doubt. This is to ensure that Ramadan begins with certainty, as established by the Prophet ﷺ. Supporting hadiths and Qur’anic verses emphasize the importance of moon sighting and avoiding confusion in religious practices. Following this guidance preserves the purity of Ramadan, ensuring that fasting is performed correctly according to Islamic teachings.
Allah(SWT) knows best!
