باب النهي عن تقدم رمضان بصوم بعد نصف شعبان إلا لمن وصله بما قبله، أو وافق عادة كان عادته صوم الاثنين والخميس فوافقه
This chapter sets a boundary around the days just before Ramadan, teaching believers not to anticipate the month with their own fasting. The aim is to keep Ramadan distinct and to begin it by the proper sign, the sighting of the moon.
The hadith caution against fasting a day or two right before Ramadan and against fasting on a doubtful day when it is unclear whether the month has begun. An exception is made for someone whose regular fasting habit happens to fall on those days. The lesson is to follow the Prophet's guidance rather than add unasked-for practice.
Hadith 1224
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "لا يتقدمن أحدكم رمضان بصوم يوم أو يومين، إلا أن يكون رجل كان يصوم صومه، فليصم ذلك اليوم" . ((متفق عليه))
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Do not observe Saum (fasting) for a day or two days preceding Ramadan. However, if a person is in the habit of observing Saum on a particular day (which may fall on these dates), he may fast on that day." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Do not fast the day or two right before Ramadan as a way of getting ahead, though someone may continue a fast they normally keep if it happens to land there.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1224 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 234
Hadith 1225
Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم " لا تصوموا قبل رمضان صوموا لرؤيته وأفطروا لرؤيته، فإن حالت دونه فأكملوا ثلاثين يومًا" ((رواه الترمذي وقال حديث حسن صحيح.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Do not observe Saum (fasting) before the advent of Ramadan. Observe Saum at sighting of the crescent of Ramadan and terminate it at sighting the crescent (of Shawwal). If the sky is overcast, complete (the month as) thirty (days)." [At- Tirmidhi].
In plain words
Begin Ramadan only at the sighting of its new moon and end it at the next, and if clouds hide the moon, complete thirty days. Avoid fasting in anticipation of the month.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1225 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 235
Hadith 1226
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "إذا بقي نصف من شعبان فلا تصوموا" ((رواه الترمذي وقال حديث حسن صحيح)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When there comes the middle of Sha'ban, don't observe Saum (fasting)." [At-Tirmidhi].
In plain words
Guidance not to begin fasting once the middle of the month before Ramadan has passed, keeping the believer fresh for the month itself.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1226 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 236
Hadith 1227
'Ammar bin Yasir (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعن أبي اليقظان عمار بن ياسر، رضي الله عنهما قال: "من صام اليوم الذي يشك فيه فقد عصي أبا القاسم، صلى الله عليه وسلم" ((رواه أبو داود والترمذي وقال: حديث حسن صحيح)).
He who observes the fast on a doubtful day, has in fact disobeyed Abul-Qasim, (i.e., Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)). [Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi].
In plain words
Fasting on a doubtful day, when it is unclear whether Ramadan has begun, goes against the Prophet's guidance. Better to wait for certainty.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1227 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 237