Narrated Abu Umayr ibn Anas: Abu Umayr reported on the authority of some of his paternal uncles who were Companions of the Prophet ﷺ: Some men came riding to the Prophet ﷺ and testified that they had sighted the new moon the previous day. He (the Holy Prophet), therefore, commanded the people to break the fast and to go out to their place of prayer in the morning.
Hadith Referenceسنن ابي داود / تفرح أبواب الجمعة / 1157
´It was narrated that ‘Umair bin Anas bin Malik said:` “My paternal uncles among the Ansar who were among the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) told me: ‘The new crescent of Shawwal was covered with clouds, so we fasted the next day. Then some riders came at the end of the day and testified to the Prophet (ﷺ) that they had seen the new crescent the night before. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commanded them to break their fast and to go out to offer the ‘Eid prayer the following morning.’”
Maulana Ataullah Sajid
Benefits and Issues: ➊ For the crescent moon of Shawwal, the testimony of at least two trustworthy Muslims is necessary. It is narrated from Harith bin Hatib radi Allahu anhu that he said: The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam commanded us to worship (i.e., to fast and to celebrate Eid) upon sighting the moon. If we do not see the moon and two trustworthy witnesses give testimony, then we will worship based on their testimony. (Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab al-Siyam, Chapter: The Testimony of Two Men Regarding the Sighting of the Crescent of Shawwal, Hadith: 2338) Imam Daraqutni has declared this hadith to be authentic.
➋ If the news of the crescent moon is received after midday, then the Eid prayer will be performed the next day. However, the fast will be broken at that very time.
➌ The sighting of the moon in a nearby city is acceptable. The caravan had reached Madinah in the evening after traveling the whole day. Based on the sighting of the moon at such a distance, the fast was broken in Madinah.
Source: Commentary on Sunan Ibn Mājah by Mawlānā ‘Atā’ullāh Sājid, Page: 1653
Narrated Abu 'Umair bin Anas bin Malik (RA) on the authority of some of his paternal uncles who were among the Companions, that some riders came and testified that they had seen the new moon the previous day. The Prophet (ﷺ) therefore commanded the people to break the fast and go out to their place of prayer in the morning. [Reported by Ahmad and Abu Dawud. This is Abu Dawud's wording and its Isnad is Sahih (authentic)].