📖Sahih Muslim 1082 a
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Do not observe fast for a day, or two days ahead of Ramadan except a person who is in the habit of observing a particular fast; he may fast on that day.
This hadith provides guidance regarding voluntary fasting in the days immediately preceding the month of Ramadan. It advises Muslims not to fast specifically on the day or two days immediately prior to Ramadan, except for those individuals who regularly observe fasting on specific days throughout the year.
From this hadith, Muslims learn the following:
- Prohibition before Ramadan: Fasting is not recommended on the day or two days directly preceding the start of Ramadan. It is preferable to enter the month of Ramadan with a sense of eagerness and anticipation.
- Exception for habitual fasts: If someone has a habit of fasting on specific days throughout the year, they are allowed to continue observing those fasts even if they fall on the day or two days before Ramadan. This exception recognizes the importance of maintaining regular voluntary fasts and does not restrict individuals who are accustomed to fasting on certain days.
- Importance of intention: The hadith emphasizes the significance of intention in fasting. It implies that one should not fast solely due to the proximity of Ramadan, but rather for the sake of Allah and with the intention of fulfilling religious obligations.
Overall, this hadith guides Muslims to approach Ramadan with a specific focus on the obligatory fasting during the month itself, while acknowledging the permissibility of continuing habitual voluntary fasts that fall on the day or two before Ramadan.
