Thekabarnews.com – Muslims should use the month of Sha’ban to get ready for Ramadan. Islamic law says that the start of the month is based on the moon’s orbit. A month can be anywhere from twenty-nine to thirty days long. Therefore, the obligation to fast throughout Ramadan begins when the crescent moon is sighted.

If clouds or other obstacles obscure the crescent moon, Muslims complete Sha’ban as thirty days. Allah—Glorified and Exalted—created the heavens, the earth, and the moon as a means for measuring time. This measurement is so that people can figure out how many years and months have passed. Thus, a month cannot last more than thirty days.

The narration of hadiths

A hadith from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) confirms that the prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) said:

“Begin your fast upon sighting the crescent moon and conclude it upon observing the crescent moon. If you cannot see it because of clouds, then finish the month of Sha’ban in thirty days.” (Hadith Ahmad).

Abdullah bin Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, also told a similar hadith. The prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him): “Do not fast until you see the new moon. Count the month of Sha’ban if clouds stop you.” (Hadith Bukhari and Muslim).

Furthermore, the prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) said to Adi bin Hatim radhiyallahu ‘anhu, “When the month of Ramadan starts, fast for thirty days, unless you see the crescent moon before the thirtieth day.” (Hadith Ahmad (4;/377).

According to this advice, it is not a good idea for a muslim to fast for one or two days before the month of Ramadan. This is meant as a precaution. People who regularly choose to fast, like those who fast on Mondays and Thursdays, are not affected by this rule. The same applies to those who follow the prophet Daud’s fast.

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) told that the prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) said, “Do not fast one or two days before Ramadan, except for someone who usually fasts; then let him fast.” (Hadith Muslim no. 573).

The companions made it apparent that fasting on a day that is still unclear is a detrimental thing to do. For example, when people cannot determine whether Ramadan has begun or Sha’ban is still ongoing, they consider fasting on that day blameworthy.

To identification of Ramadan

The original identification of Ramadan through the observation of the new moon is deemed genuine if there are two credible witnesses. The prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) said:

“Fast when you see the crescent moon, stop fasting when you see it, and go on Hajj when you see it. If you cannot see it because of clouds, finish counting the month of Sha’ban to thirty days.” If there are two witnesses, then fast and break your fast.” (Hadith An Nasa’I (4/133), Ahmad (4/321)

Fasting for Ramadan requires physical preparation and knowledge of Sharia law to follow the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ guidance.