Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … It is now understood that the crescent moon was sighted on Friday evening in Shaam (Greater Syria) and on Saturday evening in Madinah, while at that time—and for a long period—Shaam and Saudi Arabia have been in agreement regarding the lunar calendar. The second point is: what is meant by the statement of Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas radi Allahu anhuma, “This is not the case; in reality, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam commanded us to do it in this manner”? Although various explanations have been given regarding this, the most appropriate is that he was referring to this hadith of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam: ((Do not fast until you see the crescent, and do not break your fast until you see it.)) “Do not begin fasting until you see the crescent, and likewise, do not end the fast until you see it.” From this hadith, Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas radi Allahu anhuma deduced that we will decide based on our own sighting of the crescent. Now, the issue is: how should the decision of crescent sighting (ru’yat al-hilal) be made? What we mean is: if the Muslims of one country sight the crescent, what should the people of those countries do where, despite efforts, the crescent was not sighted?

First, it is necessary to present two cautions:

(a) The ahadith in which the sighting of the crescent has been made the criterion for the beginning and end of Ramadan—as is evident from the hadiths in chapter number (3676) and the two chapters following it—this command has been given to the congregation of Muslims, not to the people of each country separately. If the people of one region sight the crescent, then it becomes obligatory upon others as well to accept the testimony of these Muslims and announce the sighting of the crescent.

(b) In the present era, the boundaries of different countries have no relation to the sighting of the crescent. It is not an issue that the Muslims of India will fast only when the crescent is sighted in India, or that the people of Pakistan will celebrate Eid only when the crescent is sighted in Pakistan, or that the people of Iran will perform the sacrifice on the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah only when the crescent is sighted in Iran. About fifteen or sixteen years ago, the crescent for Eid al-Fitr was sighted in India, but the people of Pakistan did not announce Eid al-Fitr because the crescent was not sighted there. Now it is 2012.

Now we come to the main issue: regarding the sighting of the crescent, at most, one can rely on one of the following two opinions:

(First) Taking into account the difference in horizons (ikhtilaf al-matali‘), the regions of the earth should be determined. For example, if the crescent is sighted in Saudi Arabia, then two things will be considered: in all countries to the west, the announcement of the crescent sighting should be made, even if it is not sighted there. However, the matter is somewhat different for the east. It should be seen how long after the crescent is sighted it sets. For example, if the crescent remains on the horizon for one hour, then in all countries to the east of Saudi Arabia whose time difference is less than one hour, the announcement of the crescent sighting should be made, because the crescent was present in those regions, but they were unable to see it.

This view also implies that there cannot be a two-day difference in the lunar calendar between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. For example, if it is the 28th of Ramadan in Pakistan and the 29th in Saudi Arabia, and the crescent is sighted in Saudi Arabia on that date, then the next day the people of Pakistan should announce the sighting of the crescent, because the sighting in Saudi Arabia means the crescent was present on the horizon, though it is not necessary that it will be sighted in Pakistan the next day.

(Second) When the Muslims of any one region give testimony of the sighting of the crescent, then all Islamic countries should announce the sighting of the crescent. As Shaykh al-Albani rahimahullah says: This discussion can solve a major difficulty for Muslims, which is the mutual disagreement regarding the sighting or non-sighting of the crescent of Ramadan due to different horizons. It is obvious that if the crescent is sighted in one region, it is not necessary that every region will be able to see it. For example, if the crescent is sighted in the west, it will be impossible for all those in the east to see it. Some scholars of Islam are of the opinion that the following hadith: ((… Fast upon its sighting and break your fast upon its sighting …)) (Sahihah: 565) … “Begin fasting upon sighting the crescent and break your fast upon sighting it,” remains upon its generality, and it is not correct to restrict it due to different horizons, because the horizons are unlimited and undefined. Both legally (shar‘an) and rationally (‘aqlan), this seems correct. Therefore, it is not correct to restrict this hadith, especially in the present era when, if the crescent is sighted in one country, all Islamic countries can be informed through the media. In this case, whoever receives the news of the crescent sighting will begin fasting, even if this news is received shortly before sunset on the first of Ramadan. There will be no need for making up (qada), because he has fulfilled this obligation to the best of his ability, and Allah’s principle is that He does not burden anyone beyond his capacity. In any case, our view is that all Islamic governments should unify and coordinate the day of fasting and Eid, just as is done for Hajj. We should not see that some people are fasting with their country and others with another country. It is Allah alone who grants success. (Sahihah: 2624) The latter view appears to be more correct; it is more convenient and a sign of unity among Muslims. This view is also supported by hadith number (3695), in that when the caravan people gave testimony in the latter part of the day that they had seen the crescent the previous evening, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam commanded the people to break their fast and to go for the Eid prayer the next day. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam did not ask the caravan for details about where they had seen the crescent, nor did he clarify the issue of differing horizons. And Allah knows best.

Hajj takes place in one location, and all Muslims go to Makkah to perform Hajj. This is clear, and there is no obstacle or confusion regarding the timing of Hajj. But how is it possible for all Muslims around the world to fast on the same day and break the fast on the same day, when the times of moonrise differ in various countries and a difference of one or two days is common? Therefore, unity in this matter is not possible, so, acting upon the apparent meaning of the hadith, the sighting of each region should be considered valid for that region. (Abdullah Rafiq)

The caravan people saw the crescent at night and, reaching Madinah the next day, informed of the moon’s rising. It is obvious that caravans usually traveled on camels and the like; their speed was not like that of airplanes. How much distance would they have covered from night until the next day? This was clear, and thus the issue of differing horizons did not arise. Therefore, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam did not feel the need to clarify. Now, to consider the sighting of the crescent at one time for the entire world is, rationally, extremely far-fetched, and in reality, it is impossible. Humanity has not been made responsible for all Muslims to fast on the same day and break the fast on the same day. Legally (shar‘an), there is no obligation for this, and in reality, it is not possible for the crescent to rise at the same time throughout the world. Therefore, there is no need to be overly concerned about this matter. (Abdullah Rafiq)