By: Shaykh Muhammad Naasirud-Deen Al-Albaanee (may Allah have Mercy on him)
Source: Silsilatul-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah #224 (1/440-445)

[ In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, may His Salaah and Salaam be upon his final Messenger Muhammad, and upon all his family members and Companions, to proceed… ]

Regarding the hadeeth:

الصوم يوم تصومون والفطر يوم تفطرون

“Fasting begins on the day you all begin to fast, and Al-Fitr (the ‘Eed) is the day when you all have broken your fasts.” [1]

At-Tirmithee, after mentioning this hadeeth, said, “And some of the people of knowledge explained this hadeeth, saying that fasting and breaking the fast are both done along with the Jamaa’ah and the masses of the Muslims.”

And As-San’aanee said, “In it is evidence that proves that agreement of the people is needed for establishing the ‘Eed, and that the one who is alone in his knowledge of the moon sighting must go along with the others, and their decision regarding the prayer, the breaking of the fast, and the day of slaughtering is binding on him.” [2]

And Ibnul-Qayyim, may Allah have Mercy on him, explained this, saying, “And it has been said (by the people of knowledge) that there is a refutation in this for those who say that a person can fast and break his fast based on calculated estimations, without others having knowledge of this. And it has also been said that if a lone witness sights the moon, and the judge does not accept his sighting (for some reason), then he himself does not begin his fast based on it, nor do the people begin their fasts based on it.” [3]

And Abul-Hasan As-Sindee, after mentioning the hadeeth of Aboo Hurayrah found in At-Tirmithee’s Sunan, said, “And what is apparent from the hadeeth’s meaning is that these affairs are not for individuals, it is not for people to act alone in these affairs. Rather, the decision is to be made by the imaam and the main body of Muslims. It is obligatory for all individuals to follow the imaam and the main body of Muslims. So therefore, if one person sees the moon, and the imaam does not accept his testimony, then he has no right to go off on his own in these affairs, rather he must go along with the jamaa’ah.” [4]

I say (Al-Albaanee): This is what seems to be understood from the hadeeth. This understanding is supported by the way ‘Aa’ishah used it (the hadeeth) as a proof against Masrooq when he did not want to fast on the day of ‘Arafah, fearing that it may actually be the day of An-Nahr (the ‘Eed). She clarified to him that his opinion has no weight, and that he must follow the jamaa’ah. She said, “The Day of An-Nahr (‘Eed Al-Adh-haa, the day of slaughtering) is the day the people slaughter, and the Day of (‘Eed) Al-Fitr is the day the people break their fasts.”

I say (Al-Albaanee): And this is what is befitting to the gracious Sharee’ah that seeks to bring the people together and unite their ranks, keeping them away from individual opinions that split their unity. So the Sharee’ah does not give weight to the opinion of an individual regarding acts of community worship like fasting, establishing the day of the ‘Eed, and praying in congregation, even when the individual is correct as he sees it.

Don’t you see that the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, used to pray behind each other, while some of them held that touching a woman or bleeding nullifies one’s wudhoo‘, and others did not understand that? And some of them used to pray the entire prayer during their travels and others would shorten theirs? Their differing in these affairs and others did not prevent them from getting together to pray behind one imaam and being conscience of its importance. This is because they knew that division in the Religion is worse than differing over some opinions.

Some of them ignored opinions that contradicted the leader’s position in great gatherings like the one at Minaa, to the point that they would abandon their own position totally in such a large gathering, to escape the fitnah that might result in their actions based on their position. Aboo Daawood narrated that ‘Uthmaan, may Allaah be pleased with him, prayed four rak’ahs (not shortening his prayer) in Minaa. ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood detested his action, saying, “I prayed two rak’ahs behind the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam), two rak’ahs behind Aboo Bakr, two rak’ahs behind ‘Umar, and I used to pray two rak’ahs behind ‘Uthmaan in the beginning of his leadership, but then he began to complete the prayer (praying four rak’ahs), and thus the paths became divided. I only wish that I could have two of the four rak’ahs accepted from me.” Thereafter, Ibn Mas’ood prayed four rak’ahs! So it was said to him, “You blame ‘Uthmaan and then you yourself pray four rak’ahs?!” He replied, “Differing is evil.” [5]

And Ahmad narrated this exact account on the authority of Aboo Tharr [6], may Allah be pleased with all of them.

So let the Muslims reflect over what is found in this hadeeth and in the other narration mentioned, especially those who never cease to differ over their prayers, those who refuse to follow some imaams of some masjids, especially with regards to Witr Prayer in Ramadhaan, claiming that the imaam is not from their math-hab.

And some of those who have knowledge of astronomy even fast by themselves and break the fast by themselves, before or after the main body of Muslims. They give such great weight to their own opinions and knowledge, not paying any mind to their khurooj (rebellion) against the Muslims.

So let them all reflect over the knowledge that has proceeded, as they may find a cure to the ignorance and conceit within their selves. Let them join with the united ranks of their Muslim brothers, as the Hand of Allah is over the jamaa’ah.

Translated by: Moosaa Richardson (1423.1.28), from the Salafitalk archives (4.11.2002).

FOOTNOTES

[1] Saheeh Sunan At-Tirmithee #697

[2] Subulus-Salaam (2/72)

[3] Tah-theeb As-Sunan (3/214)

[4] Haashiyatus-Sindee ‘alaa Ibni Maajah (Al-Albaanee did not mention a page number)

[5] Sunan Abee Daawood (1/307) with an authentic chain

[6] Musnad Imaam Ahmad (5/155)

TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING

The one who sees the moon for the month of Ramadhaan, but his testimony is not accepted, does he begin fasting since he is sure that he saw the moon, even though the people have not yet begun their fast?

Why did Ibn Mas’ood pray four rak’ahs in Minaa when the Sunnah is to shorten the prayer to two rak’ahs?