Tirmidhi

Commentary:
Note:
There is considerable inconsistency (idtirab) in the narration from Ikrimah through Simak, and moreover, most of Simak’s students have narrated it as “from Ikrimah, from the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)... mursal (with a missing link).”

(1) It is understood that sighting the moon and receiving the news of it are equivalent, provided that the horizon is the same, as has been explained in the benefits of the previous hadith.

(2) Regarding the crescent of the blessed month of Ramadan, the opinion of the majority of the scholars is that the testimony of one Muslim is sufficient, as is clear from the hadith, and this is the correct view. However, some jurists, considering the matter of testimony, deem it necessary for there to be two Muslims. But regarding Eid, there is consensus among the four Imams that the testimony of two Muslims is necessary, because in Eid people have their own interests involved. Therefore, just as in matters of the rights of people (huquq al-‘ibad), there should be two witnesses, whereas in fasting there is no personal interest for people, so there the report of one Muslim is sufficient, because this is information (khabar), not testimony (shahadah), and for information, one trustworthy person is sufficient.

(3) “So do you bear witness?”—this implies that being a Muslim is necessary, and he should also be trustworthy, i.e., not known for lying and should be observant of the obligatory duties of the Shari‘ah, and should not make a mockery of the religion.

(4) This and the next three narrations are weak, but in Abu Dawud (Hadith: 2342) there is an authentic hadith from Ibn ‘Umar radi Allahu anhu with the same meaning, therefore the issue mentioned in the hadith and other derived rulings are correct. And Allah knows best.

Benefits and Issues:

➊
The mentioned narration is weak in its chain of transmission.
However, in Sunan Abu Dawud, it is narrated from Abdullah bin Umar radi Allahu anhu that he said: People were trying to sight the moon.
I informed the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam that I had seen the moon.
The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, based on this report, himself fasted,
and ordered the people to fast as well. (Sunan Abu Dawud, Kitab al-Siyam, Chapter: The Testimony of One Person Regarding the Sighting of the Crescent of Ramadan, Hadith: 2342)
The scholars have declared this hadith to be authentic.
Therefore, it is understood that the testimony of a single Muslim is sufficient to establish certainty for the beginning of Ramadan.

➋
There is a difference of opinion among the scholars regarding the issue of moon sighting.
Some scholars are of the view
that if the sighting of the Ramadan crescent is established in any place according to the Shariah method, then it becomes obligatory for all Muslims to fast.
Similarly, if the sighting of the Shawwal crescent is established in any place, then it becomes obligatory for all Muslims to break the fast (i.e., celebrate Eid).
This is the position of Imam Ahmad rahimahullah.
Some scholars are of the opinion that the rulings of fasting in Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr in Shawwal are obligatory only for those
who themselves sight the moon,
or for those whose horizon (matla‘) is the same as those who sighted it, because the experts in astronomy agree that the horizons for the crescent differ.
Therefore, it is necessary that each country acts according to its own sighting,
and acting upon this sighting is obligatory for those countries whose horizon matches it, and those countries whose horizon does not match are not bound by it.
This is the opinion of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullah.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymin rahimahullah, regarding the position of Shaykh al-Islam, writes
that in the case of differing horizons, the rulings of the crescent are not established merely due to generality.
Undoubtedly, from the perspective of evidence, the opinion and position of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullah is strong, and analogy also supports it.
See: Fatawa Islamiyyah (Urdu: 2/161, published by Darussalam)
Nowadays, even among us, some people observe the fasts, Eids, and other acts of worship related to the moon according to the moon sighting of Saudi Arabia,
and consider that sighting as binding for themselves.
Regarding this issue, the scholars and muftis of Saudi Arabia were also consulted.
Thus, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Shaykh Ibn Baz rahimahullah, writes regarding this:
When this issue was presented before the Council of Senior Scholars of Saudi Arabia, their opinion was that the preferred view in this matter is that there is ample scope in it.
If one acts according to the opinion of the scholars of his own country, it is permissible.
Shaykh Ibn Baz rahimahullah states:
In my view, this is a moderate opinion,
and it reconciles the various statements and evidences of the scholars.
He further addressed the scholars, saying:
It is obligatory upon the scholars
that at the beginning and end of the month, they pay special attention to this issue,
and agree upon one matter which, according to their ijtihad, is closest to the truth.
Then they should act accordingly,
and convey their decision to the people.
Their rulers and the general Muslims should also follow their scholars in this matter,
and should not differ in this issue, because this will lead to division into different groups
and much unnecessary debate.
See: Fatawa Islamiyyah (Urdu) 2/158-159, published by Darussalam
From the fatwas of the Saudi muftis and other evidences, it is clear that every country should perform its fasts, Eids, and other acts of worship according to its own sighting and the consensus decision of its own scholars.
Insha’Allah, there is goodness in this.
And Allah knows best what is correct.

Lexical Explanation 531:
فَأَذِّنْ is the imperative form derived from تَأذِین. What is meant by it is a general proclamation and announcement. This hadith supports the view of the majority (jumhur) that the testimony of a single upright (adil) Muslim is sufficient for the sighting of the Ramadan crescent. And this is the correct position.

Benefit 531:
The mentioned narration is weak in its chain, as the esteemed researcher has indicated. However, the previous hadith, which is narrated in Sunan Abi Dawud from Abdullah ibn Umar radi Allahu anhu, has been declared authentic by the scholars of hadith. That hadith is as follows: Ibn Umar radi Allahu anhu reports that the people were trying to sight the crescent. I informed the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam that I had seen the crescent. The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, in accordance with this report, himself fasted and ordered the people to fast as well. [ سنن ابي داؤد ، الصيام ، باب فى شهادة الواحد على رؤية هلال رمضان ، حديث : 2342]
Therefore, it is established that the testimony of a single Muslim is sufficient to confirm the beginning of Ramadan. «والله اعلم»