<b>Guidance from the Hadith:</b><br> 1) It prohibits the fasting of the day of doubt, which precedes the confirmed start of Ramadan, based on prohibition reported from the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).<br> 2) Violation of the Sunnah and the prohibitions laid down by the Prophet leads to misguidance and disunity, even if the person thinks he is doing good. “How often a person intends good, yet he does not attain it!”<br> <br> <b>Benefit:</b><br> Fasting before Ramadan is of three types:<br> First: from mid-Sha‘bān to the 28th of it. This fasting is disliked, unless a person has a certain habit of fasting.<br> Second: one or two days before Ramadan. This fasting is prohibited, unless a person has a certain habit of fasting.<br> Third: Fasting on the day of doubt. One may not fast on it even on a voluntary basis. This is because worship should not be done except on the basis of certainty. Moreover, fasting on this day might confuse people and make them think this is Ramadan.