It is not permissible to fast on the Day of Doubt, even if the sky is cloudy
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Question: If there are clouds or dust in the air, is it obligatory or prescribed to fast on the Day of Doubt as a precaution in case the month has entered?
Answer: It is not permissible to fast on the Day of Doubt, even if the sky is cloudy; this is the correct position. This is because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Mishkat al-Masabih 1970 And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sahih Muslim 1082a.
As for what is narrated from Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) that he used to fast on the thirtieth day if it was cloudy, that was his independent legal reasoning (ijtihad) (may Allah have mercy on him), and the correct position is the opposite: that it is obligatory to break the fast. Ibn 'Umar exercised independent legal reasoning in this matter, but his reasoning contradicted the Sunnah, may Allah forgive him. The correct position is that Muslims must break their fast on the thirtieth day if the crescent moon is not seen, even if it is cloudy; it is obligatory to break the fast, and it is not permissible to fast until the crescent moon is confirmed or people complete the count, the count of Sha'ban being thirty days. This is what is obligatory upon Muslims.
It is not permissible to contradict the explicit text based on the statement of any person, whether Ibn 'Umar or anyone else; because the explicit text takes precedence over everyone. This is due to the statement of Allah (Mighty and Majestic): [Al-Hashr: 7] and His statement (Exalted and Majestic is He): [An-Nur: 63].
Answer: It is not permissible to fast on the Day of Doubt, even if the sky is cloudy; this is the correct position. This is because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Fast when you see it and break your fast when you see it, and if the weather is cloudy treat Sha‘ban as having thirty days.
صوموا لرؤيته وأفطروا لرؤيته فإن غم عليكم فأكملوا عدة شعبان ثلاثين يومًاDo 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.
لا تقدموا رمضان بصوم يوم ولا يومين إلا رجل كان يصوم صومًا فليصمهAs for what is narrated from Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) that he used to fast on the thirtieth day if it was cloudy, that was his independent legal reasoning (ijtihad) (may Allah have mercy on him), and the correct position is the opposite: that it is obligatory to break the fast. Ibn 'Umar exercised independent legal reasoning in this matter, but his reasoning contradicted the Sunnah, may Allah forgive him. The correct position is that Muslims must break their fast on the thirtieth day if the crescent moon is not seen, even if it is cloudy; it is obligatory to break the fast, and it is not permissible to fast until the crescent moon is confirmed or people complete the count, the count of Sha'ban being thirty days. This is what is obligatory upon Muslims.
It is not permissible to contradict the explicit text based on the statement of any person, whether Ibn 'Umar or anyone else; because the explicit text takes precedence over everyone. This is due to the statement of Allah (Mighty and Majestic):
And whatever the Messenger has given you - take; and what he has forbidden you - refrain from
وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانتَهُواSo let those beware who dissent from the Prophet's order, lest fitnah strike them or a painful punishment.
فَلْيَحْذَرِ الَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِ أَن تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.