THE CHAPTER OF FASTING · 14 – WITNESSING A SINGLE PERSON SEEING THE CRESCENT MOON OF RAMADAN
It is narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said:
A bedouin came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) and said, “I saw the new moon.”
The hasan narration states, "He intended that he saw the new moon of Ramadan."
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said, “Do you bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah?” The bedouin said, “Yes.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said, “Do you bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah?” The bedouin said, “Yes.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) then said, "O Bilal, announce to the people that they should fast tomorrow."
Ikrimah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
The companions of the Prophet were doubtful during the month of Ramadan, and some of them held the opinion that they should not rise [for the night prayer] and should not fast. A bedouin from the tribe of Harra arrived, testifying that he had seen the new crescent moon of Ramadan. He was brought before the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), who said: “Do you bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that I am His messenger?” The bedouin replied, "I do," and testified that he had seen the crescent moon. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered Bilal to announce to the people that they should rise [for prayer] and fast. Abu Dawud said: Many people narrated this hadith through Simak from Ikrimah as a mursal hadith. No one, except Hammad ibn Salama, mentioned the word “qiyam” [rising].
Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him):
The people used to search for the crescent moon. I informed the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) that I had seen the moon. He began fasting, and commanded the people to fast.