Abu Dawud

Benefits and Issues:
➊ This hadith apparently contradicts the previous hadith in which it is stated that one should not fast a day or two before the start of Ramadan. However, the reconciliation between them is that this concession and emphasis is for the person who has made a vow (nadhar) to fast, or who is accustomed to fasting on specific days from before; such a person should continue to fast as usual. But if someone, without any prior habit or vow, wishes to fast voluntarily as a way of welcoming Ramadan, then it is not permitted.

➋ The person whom the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam instructed to fast one or two days after Ramadan was someone who used to fast at the end of the month, but he had left off fasting at the end of Sha'ban out of fear that it might fall under the category of welcoming Ramadan, which is prohibited.

➌ The various meanings of the word (sarara) are mentioned after the following narration.

Hadith Commentary:
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has mentioned in the chapter heading, in an absolute sense, the fasting at the end of the month, whereas in the hadith, the mention is specifically of the end of the month of Sha'ban. From this, it is understood that according to Imam Bukhari rahimahullah, fasting at the end of any month in general is legislated, so that a person becomes accustomed to it.

Whereas, in another hadith, it is stated that fasting one or two days before Ramadan is prohibited.

This applies in the case when the fasts are observed with the intention of welcoming (istiqbal) Ramadan. If there is no such intention, but rather it is a person's habit, then there is no objection to fasting at the end of Sha'ban.

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: According to the majority of linguists and scholars of hadith, (sararu) refers to the last days of the month, because during these days the moon becomes hidden. According to some, it refers to the initial days of the month, and according to others, it is derived from (surrat al-shahr) (its middle and center), and the "white days" (ayyam al-beed) are meant.