The Fasting Section · 13 – Accounts of Two Men Witnessing the Shawwal Crescent
From Hüseyin ibn Hāris al-Judalī, of the tribe of Kays, from its Judail branch: The governor of Mecca addressed the people and said, “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, advised us to observe worship based on sighting the new moon, and if we do not see it, then with the testimony of two just witnesses regarding its sighting.”
The narrator, Abū Mālīk, asked Hüseyin ibn Hāris, “Who is the governor of Mecca?” He replied, “I do not know.” Immediately thereafter, he encountered him. He said, "He is Hāris ibn Hatīb, brother of Muḥammad ibn Ḥatīb, the governor of Mecca." Then the governor said, “Indeed, among you are those who know Allah and His Messenger better than I do.” And he pointed his hand towards a man, saying, “This person is a witness to the words of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.” Hüseyin said, "I asked an elderly man standing beside me, 'Who is this person whom the governor has indicated?' The elder replied, ‘This is Abdullah ibn ʿUmar.’”
The governor spoke truthfully. Abdullah ibn ʿUmar knew the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, better than the governor did. Abdullah ibn ʿUmar said, “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, commanded us to do this (accept the testimony of two just witnesses).”
It is narrated from one of the companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him: That they disputed in the last days of Ramadhan. Two bedouins came and swore that they had seen the new moon the previous evening. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, ordered the people to break their fasts. In the narration of Ḥaléf, he added: “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, commanded the people to gather in the prayer places at midday.”