5. Imam Qurtubi quotes:
"I said: Tabari in his Ahkamul Qur'an
says: Followers of Abu Haneefa
have agreed on that when the people of a country fasted 30 days based on their
observation and the people of another country fasted 29 days based on their
observation. Then the latter that fasted 29 days, must compensate for one day.
But the followers of Shafiy do not see this, as the Mathla’h of two countries
could be different. Proof of the followers of Imam Abu Haneefa (RA) is the
divine
command, "You shall complete the
number." Since the
observation of a country confirmed the term to be of 30 days, completing the
term became compulsory on them." (Tafsir Qurtubi 2:295).
Imam Shafiy has recognized the Mathla'h' (Date
Line), but the followers were at a loss to understand what the Imam was
actually referring to. That is why there is some controversy.