Islamic Verdicts - Volume III

The Book Of fasting

Rulings pertaining to the entry of the month

and its exit and sighting the new moon

Sighting the new Moon of Ramadhan and the new Moon of Shawwal

Q: What is the method that confirms every lunar month?

A: The authentic Hadiths from the Prophet (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) prove that the new crescent moon is whenever a reliable person sees it after sunset on the night of the 30th of Sha'ban or two reliable persons see it on the 30th night of Ramadhan, then the sighting is considered. By this, the first of the month is known without any need of considering the period of how long the moon remained (visible) after sunset. It makes no difference whether it lasted for twenty minutes or more or less, because there is no authentic Hadiths that prove a specification for the number of minutes for the moon's vanishing after sunset.

The Permanent Committee

It is not permissible to rely on Calculations in confirming the new Moons

Q: In some lands of the Muslims the people go about fasting without relying on the sighting of the new moon. Rather, they think it is sufficient to only rely on calendars. So, what is the ruling on this?

A: The Prophet (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) ordered the Muslims that they should: “Fast according to the sighting of the new moon and break the fast according to its sighting. And if it is hidden from them (due to cloudiness) complete the number as 30 (days)” (Al-Bukhari no. 1909 and Muslim no. 1081).

This Hadith is agreed upon (i.e., in Al-Bukhari and Muslim). He (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) also said: “Verily, we are an illiterate nation. We do not write nor do we calculate. The month is like this and this and this," and he withdrew his thumb with the third. Then he said: "The month is like this and this and this, " and he held up all of his fingers, meaning that the month is 29 and 30” (Al-Bukhari no. 1913 and Muslim no. 1080).

It is confirmed in Sahih Al-Bukhari from Abu Hurairah the Prophet (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) said: “Fast according to its (i.e., the new moon's) sighting and break your fast according to its sighting. If it is hidden from you by clouds, complete the number of (days of) Sha'ban as 30” (Al-Bukhari no. 1909 and Muslim no. 1081).

And he (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) said: “Do not fast until you see the new moon or you complete the number (of 30 days in Sha'ban), and do not break your fast until you see the new moon or you complete the number (of 30 days in Ramadhan)” (Al-Bukhari no.  1080).

The Hadiths concerning this matter are numerous and all of them prove that it is obligatory to act according to the sighting or completion of the number of days (in the month as 30) when there is no sighting. Likewise they prove that it is not permissible to rely on calculations for this. Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taimiyyah mentioned that it is the consensus of the people of knowledge that it is not permissible to rely upon calculations to confirm the new moons. This is the truth concerning which there is no doubt. And Allah is the Giver of success.

Ash-Shaykh Ibn Baz