FASTING CHAPTER · 8 – FASTING BEFORE RAMADAN
Imran ibn Husayn, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated:
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said to a man: “Did you fast in the month of Shaban?” The man replied, "No."
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Then fast one day after you finish Ramadan and break your fast.” One of the narrators reported that he said, “Two days.” [252]
It is narrated from Abu al-Ahwal Mughira ibn Farwa that:
Mu'awiya stood up near the monastery of Mishal by the gate of Hims and addressed the people, saying: “O people, we saw the crescent on such and such a day, and we are beginning Ramadan with fasting. Whoever wishes to fast it, let him.”
Then Malik ibn Hubayra al-Subai stood up and said, "O Mu'awiya, did you hear this from the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, or is it something you have decided on your own?"
Mu'awiya replied: “I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, say, ‘Fast the month [of Ramadan] and observe its end.’”
Walīd said: I heard Abū ‘Amr, that is, Awzā‘ī, say: “The beginning of the month is its *sirrah*.”
[It is stated in a marginal note: "Ramazan’s *sirrah* is Ramazan."]
Abu Dawud said: Some of the narrators stated that *sirrah* is the middle of the month. Others stated it is the end of the month.