This excerpt is taken from Kitab al-Sawm, compiled by Sheikh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri, may Allah preserve him.
Question:
Is Ikhtilaf al-Matali (difference in moon sighting locations) valid in moon sighting?
Answer:
To understand the correct situation of the disagreement regarding moon sighting, it is necessary to consider a few premises.
➊ The distance of the moon from the earth is less compared to the sun.
➋ The moon’s light is derived from the sun.
❀ A famous saying is:
نور القمر مستفاد من نور الشمس.
“The moon’s light is derived from the sun.”
Therefore, the part of the moon that faces the sun will be illuminated. On the last dates of the month, such as the 27th, 28th, or 29th, the moon is not visible because on these days the moon is close to the sun, and its illuminated part faces the sun while the non-illuminated part faces the earth.
➌ The moon moves daily one degree behind the sun towards the east.
➍ The moon becomes visible when it is at least one degree (a little more than 12 degrees) away from the sun.
➎ If the moon is visible in eastern countries, it will certainly be visible in western countries as well. However, if there is a temporary obstruction, such as fog, dust, or the latitude’s remoteness, it might not be visible.
Now consider this in detail: the natural structure of the earth is such that in western countries, the moon and the sun set earlier than in eastern countries. Therefore, when the moon moves one degree behind the sun and becomes visible in eastern countries, it will necessarily be visible in western countries as well. In fact, the moon in western countries will be brighter and clearer because the sun will set there a little later, giving the moon more time to move further behind the sun. The more it moves behind the sun beyond one degree (12 degrees), the more certain the sighting becomes.
However, if the moon is visible in western countries, it is not necessary that it will be visible in eastern countries. Sometimes it becomes impossible, especially in countries located one degree (12 degrees) away from the western countries. It is not possible for the moon to move one degree behind and still be visible in those eastern countries that are one degree (12 degrees) away from the sighting location.
It is appropriate to accept one degree (12 degrees) of the moon’s elongation as the standard for proximity and distance in moon sighting. Remember that the distance between every two degrees is 69 miles, so the distance of twelve degrees is approximately 828 miles.
Now the situation has become clearer: since the standard for a single sky (horizon) is 828 miles, if the moon is visible in a western country, then all countries within 828 miles to its east will accept the sighting of that western country. Those beyond this distance will have a different horizon.
But if the moon is visible in eastern countries, it will be valid for all western countries, whether the horizon is the same or different, because the more different the eastern horizon is, the brighter and higher the moon will appear there.
For those living north or south of the equator, the standard of sighting will be the same as for those living on the equator. For example, the ruling for those living at longitude 70 on the equator will be the same for those living north or south of that longitude, even if they live near the North or South Pole. Here, the possibility of seeing the moon in winter is also low. And Allah knows best!
Reference: (Information from Pir Muhammad Yaqub Qureshi Noor Allah Marqadah)
In this matter, the study of Maulana Abdur Rahman Kilani’s book "Lateef: The Islamic System of Astronomy" and the book "Mustatab: Moon Sighting and Disagreement of Moon Sighting" by the Ahl-e-Hadith Indian scholar Maulana Abul As Waheedi will be beneficial.
Question:
If the news of moon sighting is received at twelve noon, what should be done?
Answer:
When a reliable and trustworthy news of moon sighting is received, immediately end the fast, even if it is known a little before sunset.
Question:
How many people's testimony is necessary for moon sighting?
Answer:
If a trustworthy and just Muslim also testifies, then his testimony will be accepted. Remember that the testimony for Eid and fasting is the same.
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنهما narrates:
تراني الناس الهلال فأخبرت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أني رأيته فصامه وأمر الناس بصيامه
"When the people saw the crescent, I informed the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم that I had seen the moon, so he صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم fasted (Ramadan) and also ordered the people to fast."
Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 2342, Sunan al-Daraqutni: 2156, and its chain is authentic)
Imam Ibn Hibban رحمه الله (3447) declared this hadith authentic, Imam Hakim رحمه الله (1/324) said it is authentic according to Imam Muslim's condition, and Hafiz Dhahabi رحمه الله agreed with this.
❀ Hafiz Khattabi رحمه الله
Reference: (388 AH)
states:"The fact that the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم accepted the testimony of only one person regarding fasting is evidence that acting upon solitary reports is obligatory, and whether the informant is a single person or a group of people, it makes no difference."
Reference: (Ma'alim al-Sunan: 2/102)
❀ The uncle of Abu Umair bin Anas رضي الله عنه, who is a companion of the Prophet, narrates:
"When we did not see the crescent of Shawwal, we fasted in the morning, then in the afternoon a caravan came and they testified before the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم that they had seen the moon the previous day, so the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ordered them to break their fast that day and go to the Eid gathering the next day."
Reference: (Musnad al-Imam Ahmad: 5/86, Sunan Abi Dawood: 1157, Sunan al-Nasa'i: 1558, Sunan Ibn Majah: 1653, and its chain is authentic)
Imam Ibn al-Jarud رحمه الله (266) declared this hadith authentic.
Question:
Is it permissible to fast or celebrate Eid according to a calendar prepared for the entire year?
Answer:
It is not permissible to fast or celebrate Eid according to such a calendar. It is necessary to sight the moon for fasting or Eid. Until visual sighting is obtained, it is not correct to fast or celebrate Eid. Remember, the creation of the moon is not considered, but the sighting is considered.
Question:
What is the ruling on the testimony of a hidden person regarding the crescent of Eid?
Answer:
The testimony of a hidden person is not accepted.
Question:
Is it necessary for the witness to be just (Adil)?
Answer:
It is necessary.
Question:
If the moon is not sighted even on the thirtieth of Ramadan, what should be done?
Answer:
The next day is Eid. The order to sight the moon is on the 29th, and when thirty days are already complete, then moon sighting is not necessary afterward.
❀ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
"Fast upon sighting the moon and break the fast upon sighting the moon, and if the sky is cloudy, then complete thirty days."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1909, Sahih Muslim: 1081)
❀ Abdullah bin Abi Qais رحمه الله says:
I was sent to Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها to ask her about fasting Ramadan and performing (Nafl) prayer after Asr in case the moon was not sighted. So I went to her and said: So-and-so sends you greetings and has sent me to ask you about performing (Nafl) prayer after Asr, breaking fasts, and fasting in the month of Ramadan. She narrated part of a hadith and said: "You did not count the days of the other months as much as you counted the days of Sha'ban. Then upon sighting the moon of Ramadan, you fasted; if the moon was not sighted, you counted thirty days of Sha'ban and then fasted."
Reference: (Musnad Imam Ahmad: 6/149, Sunan Abi Dawood: 2325, and its chain is authentic)
This hadith was declared authentic by Imam Ibn al-Jarood رحمه الله (377), Imam Ibn Khuzaymah رحمه الله (1910), and Imam Ibn Hibban رحمه الله (3444). Imam Hakim رحمه الله (1/423) declared it authentic according to the conditions of Bukhari and Muslim, and Hafiz Dhahabi رحمه الله agreed with him. Imam Darqutni رحمه الله
Reference: (Al-Sunan: 2/157)
graded its chain as Hasan Sahih.Question:
It became famous in an area that the moon has been sighted, but no just witness is found who has seen the moon himself. What is the ruling?
Answer:
Until a trustworthy and just witness testifies, fasting or Eid will not be observed, no matter how famous the news becomes.
Question:
Is telephone testimony valid in the testimony of moon sighting?
Answer:
If the informant is just and trustworthy, then the testimony is valid.
Question:
If the sky is clear, how many people's testimony is necessary?
Answer:
Even if one trustworthy and just person testifies, it is valid.
Question:
If someone coming from outside the settlement testifies to the moon sighting, will that testimony be valid or not?
Answer:
If they are just, then it will be reliable.
❀ Abu Umair bin Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, the uncle of the Prophet's companion, narrates:
"When we did not see the Shawwal moon, we fasted in the morning, then in the afternoon a caravan came and they presented themselves before the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and testified that they had seen the moon yesterday. Accordingly, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, ordered them to break their fast that day and to go to the Eidgah the next day."
Reference: (Musnad Imam Ahmad: 5/86, Sunan Abi Dawood: 1157, Sunan an-Nasa'i: 1558, Sunan Ibn Majah: 1653, and its chain is authentic)
Question:
If the moon is sighted after twenty-eight fasts, what is the ruling?
Answer:
Eid should be celebrated the next day, and after Eid, one fast should be made up.
Question:
If a large group of sinners testifies to seeing the moon, what is the ruling?
Answer:
The testimony of sinners is not accepted, no matter how many they are; however, if a just person testifies against them, the testimony is reliable.
Question:
If the moon is sighted after noon on the 29th of Ramadan, what is the ruling?
Answer:
If the fast is broken, the next day Eid is celebrated, and after Eid, one fast is made up, so that the 29 fasts of the month are completed.
❀ Abu Umair bin Anas رضي الله عنه's uncle, who is a companion of the Prophet, narrates:
"When we did not see the Shawwal moon, we fasted in the morning, then in the afternoon a caravan came and they presented themselves before the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and testified that they had seen the moon yesterday. Accordingly, the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ordered them to break the fast that day and go to the Eid gathering the next day."
Reference: (Musnad Imam Ahmad: 5/86, Sunan Abi Dawood: 1157, Sunan an-Nasa'i: 1558, Sunan Ibn Majah: 1653, and its chain is authentic)
Question:
Does the testimony of two just witnesses establish the sighting?
Answer:
Yes. The sighting is established even by the testimony of one just witness.
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنهما narrates:
تراني الناس الهلال فأخبرت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أني رأيته فصامه وأمر الناس بصيامه
"When the people saw the crescent, I informed the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم that I had seen the moon, so he صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم fasted (Ramadan) and also ordered the people to fast."
Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 2342, Sunan al-Daraqutni: 2156, and its chain is authentic)
Imam Ibn Hibban رحمه الله (3447) declared this hadith authentic, Imam Hakim رحمه الله (1/324) declared it authentic according to Imam Muslim’s condition, and Hafiz Dhahabi رحمه الله agreed with this.
❀ Hafiz Khattabi رحمه الله
Reference: (388 AH)
states:"The fact that the Noble Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم accepted the testimony of only one person regarding fasting is evidence that acting upon solitary reports is obligatory, and whether the informant is only one person or a group of people, it makes no difference."
Reference: (Ma'alim al-Sunan: 2/102)
Question:
If a person with weak eyesight testifies to seeing the moon, what is the ruling?
Answer:
A person who is unable to see far will not have reliable testimony, even if he is just.
Question:
Is it necessary to take an oath in testimony?
Answer:
It is not necessary.
Question:
How is it to celebrate Eid based on the testimony of a trustworthy person's letter?
Answer:
Testimony through a letter is also valid, provided the letter writer is just.
Question:
If Eid is celebrated after 29 fasts based on the testimony of just witnesses, but later it is found that Ramadan was 30 days, what is the ruling?
Answer:
After Eid, one day of fasting as Qaza (make-up) is obligatory.
Question:
What is the ruling on the testimony of a sinful and wicked person in the sighting of the crescent?
Answer:
The testimony of a sinful and wicked person is not accepted until he repents.
Question:
Is the testimony of crescent sighting through a letter valid or not?
Answer:
The testimony of a just witness is valid in every way, provided it is verified that the letter is indeed from a just witness.
Question:
If a person comes from another country after fasting Ramadan, how will he complete it?
Answer:
The sighting of the country he has come to will be considered valid.
Question:
What prayer should be recited upon sighting the new moon?
Answer:
There is no prayer for sighting the crescent proven from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, however, some supplications are established in certain narrations:
❀ When Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas رضي الله عنهما used to see the moon, he would recite this prayer:
الله أكبر الحمد لله الذي أذهب هلال كذا وكذا وجاء بهلال كذا وكذا
"Allah is the Greatest, all praise is for Allah, who took away the moon of such and such month and brought the moon of such and such month."
Reference: (Musannif Ibn Abi Shaybah: 29748, and its chain is authentic)
❀ Abdul Rahman bin Harmalah رحمه الله narrates:
انصرفت مع سعيد بن المسيب فقلنا هذا الهلال يا أبا محمد فلما أبصره قال آمنت بالذي خلقك فسواك فعدلك
"I went out with Saeed bin Musayyib رحمه الله, we said: Abu Muhammad! Look! The moon. When he رحمه الله looked at the moon, he said: آمنت بالذي خلقك فسواك فعدلك I believe in the Being who created you, perfected you, then made you equal."
Reference: (Musannif Ibn Abi Shaybah: 29745, and its chain is authentic)
Question:
Some say that an expert in astronomy can calculate the phases of the moon and fast accordingly, without the need to sight the moon with the eye. What is said about this?
Answer:
The Shariah has based the arrival and conclusion of Ramadan on the sighting of the crescent moon, and this sighting is valid only when done with the eye. No matter how expert one is in astronomy, the sighting will not be valid unless the moon is seen with the eye. One should benefit from modern technology, but the valid sighting is the one that is visual, meaning modern tools can be used to aid the eye in seeing the moon.
Similarly, it is not permissible to fast or celebrate Eid according to the calendar alone. It is necessary to see the moon for fasting or Eid. Until a visual sighting is obtained, it is not correct to fast or celebrate Eid. Remember, the creation of the moon is not the basis of validity, but the sighting is.
All the Ahadith mention visual sighting.
❀ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
صوموا لرؤيته وأفطروا لرؤيته فإن غبي عليكم فأكملوا عدة شعبان ثلاثين
“Fast when you see the moon and break your fast when you see it, and if the sky is cloudy, then complete thirty days of Sha’ban.”
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1909, Sahih Muslim: 1081)
❀ Abdullah bin Abi Qais (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
I was sent to Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) to ask her about fasting Ramadan and performing the (Nafl) prayer after Asr in case the moon was not sighted. So I went to her and said: So-and-so sends you greetings and has sent me to ask you about performing the (Nafl) prayer after Asr, breaking fasts, and fasting in Ramadan. She narrated part of a Hadith and said:
“You did not count the days of other months as much as you counted the days of Sha’ban. Then when you saw the moon of Ramadan, you fasted; if the moon was not sighted, you completed thirty days of Sha’ban and then fasted.”
Reference: (Musnad Imam Ahmad: 6/149, Sunan Abi Dawood: 2325, and its chain is authentic)
Imam Ibn al-Jarood (may Allah have mercy on him) (377 AH), Imam Ibn Khuzaymah (1910 AH), and Imam Ibn Hibban (3444 AH) have declared this Hadith authentic. Imam Hakim (1/423) said it is authentic according to the conditions of Bukhari and Muslim, and Hafiz Dhahabi (may Allah have mercy on him) agreed with him. Imam Darqutni (may Allah have mercy on him)
Reference: (Al-Sunan: 2/157)
graded its chain as Hasan Sahih.
