Is Saudi Arabia’s Moon Sighting Sufficient for All Countries? Sharʿī Answer
Reference: Ahkam wa Masail, Fasting Issues, Vol. 1, Page 279
❖ Question:
What is your opinion regarding moon sighting? Is the moon sighting in Saudi Arabia sufficient for us as well, or does every country have its own sighting? Similarly, regarding the fast of Yawm ʿArafah, should it be observed in line with the pilgrims in Ḥaram (Makkah), or should it be kept according to the local moon sighting and calendar of Pakistan (or other countries)?
❖ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
◈ Principle Regarding Moon Sighting
◈ Countries that share the same mashriq/matlaʿ (horizon and sunrise timings) will have a common sighting.
◈ Countries with different horizons will have separate sightings.
Therefore:
✔ Every country has its own moon sighting,
✔ and its own Islamic calendar calculations.
This principle is not limited to Ramadan, but applies equally to:
◈ all Islamic months,
◈ both ʿĪds (ʿĪd al-Fiṭr and ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā),
◈ the fast of Yawm ʿĀshūrāʾ,
◈ and the fast of Yawm ʿArafah.
◈ Sharʿī Evidence
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ fasted on the 10th of Muḥarram according to the sighting in Ḥijāz, and said:
"لَئِن بَقِيتُ إِلٰی قَابِلٍ لَأَصُوْمَنَّ التَّاسِعَ”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb aṣ-Ṣiyām, Bāb Ṣawm Yawm ʿĀshūrāʾ)
It is noteworthy that the 10th of Muḥarram, according to the calendar of Ḥijāz, did not correspond with what would have been the 10th of Muḥarram in the homeland of Prophet Ibrāhīm (ʿalayhi as-salām) or in the land of Prophet Mūsā (ʿalayhi as-salām).
This proves that each region has its own moon sighting and calendar, whether for ʿĀshūrāʾ or for ʿArafah.
◈ Conclusion
✔ The moon sighting in Saudi Arabia is not binding on other countries.
✔ Every country must act according to its local moon sighting.
✔ The fast of Yawm ʿArafah must also be observed in line with the local moon sighting, not solely according to the pilgrims or Saudi Arabia’s sighting.
Hādhā mā ʿindī, wallāhu aʿlam biṣ-ṣawāb.
