Sharʿī Ruling on Moon Sighting and Fasting
Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, Vol. 1, Page 581
Is it correct that one should not begin fasting until the moon is sighted in one’s own city or region, even if it has been sighted elsewhere? What is the Sharʿī ruling on this issue in light of the Qur’an and Hadith?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
◈ The majority of scholars do not recognize the difference of horizons (Ikhtilāf al-Maṭāliʿ) as valid.
◈ According to them, if the moon is sighted in one city or region, fasting (for Ramaḍān) and breaking the fast (for ʿĪd) become obligatory for all Muslims within the same country or territory.
◈ Their evidence is the Hadith of Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه, in which the Prophet ﷺ said:
صُومُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ، وَأَفْطِرُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ
“Fast when you see the moon and break your fast when you see the moon.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī & Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim; Nayl al-Awṭār, Vol. 4, p. 214)
This command is general and applies to the entire Ummah.
Thus, the sighting of the moon by some is considered binding for all, since the Prophet ﷺ did not restrict it to a specific region or horizon.
◈ Scholars such as ʿIkrimah, Ibn al-Mundhir, Sālim, and Imām Isḥāq hold the view that the moon sighting of one region is not binding upon another if their horizons (maṭāliʿ) differ.
◈ This is also the stronger opinion among the Ḥanafī scholars, and the preferred view within the Shāfiʿī school.
◈ Their evidence is the well-known Ḥadīth of Kurayb, which relates that:
When Kuraib reported that the people of Shām (under Amīr al-Muʾminīn Muʿāwiyah رضي الله عنه) had sighted the moon on Friday night, ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما said:
لَا، هَكَذَا أَمَرَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ
“No, this is not how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded us.”
(Narrated by the major compilers except al-Bukhārī and Ibn Mājah; Nayl al-Awṭār, Vol. 4, p. 194)
This shows that Ibn ʿAbbās considered each region’s sighting independent, depending on its own horizon.
After weighing the evidences, the stronger and more correct view is that:
✔ Ikhtilāf al-Maṭāliʿ (difference of horizons) is valid and must be considered.
✔ Therefore, each region should rely on its own moon sighting, based on visibility and geographical conditions.
✔ The practice of the Companions, particularly that of Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما, supports this understanding.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
This is what I hold to be correct, and Allah knows best what is right.
Source:
Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, Vol. 1, Page 581
Question:
Is it correct that one should not begin fasting until the moon is sighted in one’s own city or region, even if it has been sighted elsewhere? What is the Sharʿī ruling on this issue in light of the Qur’an and Hadith?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
Position of the Majority of Scholars (al-Jumhūr)
◈ The majority of scholars do not recognize the difference of horizons (Ikhtilāf al-Maṭāliʿ) as valid.
◈ According to them, if the moon is sighted in one city or region, fasting (for Ramaḍān) and breaking the fast (for ʿĪd) become obligatory for all Muslims within the same country or territory.
◈ Their evidence is the Hadith of Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه, in which the Prophet ﷺ said:
صُومُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ، وَأَفْطِرُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ
“Fast when you see the moon and break your fast when you see the moon.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī & Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim; Nayl al-Awṭār, Vol. 4, p. 214)
This command is general and applies to the entire Ummah.
Thus, the sighting of the moon by some is considered binding for all, since the Prophet ﷺ did not restrict it to a specific region or horizon.
Position of Opposing Scholars
◈ Scholars such as ʿIkrimah, Ibn al-Mundhir, Sālim, and Imām Isḥāq hold the view that the moon sighting of one region is not binding upon another if their horizons (maṭāliʿ) differ.
◈ This is also the stronger opinion among the Ḥanafī scholars, and the preferred view within the Shāfiʿī school.
◈ Their evidence is the well-known Ḥadīth of Kurayb, which relates that:
When Kuraib reported that the people of Shām (under Amīr al-Muʾminīn Muʿāwiyah رضي الله عنه) had sighted the moon on Friday night, ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما said:
لَا، هَكَذَا أَمَرَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ
“No, this is not how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded us.”
(Narrated by the major compilers except al-Bukhārī and Ibn Mājah; Nayl al-Awṭār, Vol. 4, p. 194)
This shows that Ibn ʿAbbās considered each region’s sighting independent, depending on its own horizon.
Preferred Opinion (Rājiḥ View)
After weighing the evidences, the stronger and more correct view is that:
✔ Ikhtilāf al-Maṭāliʿ (difference of horizons) is valid and must be considered.
✔ Therefore, each region should rely on its own moon sighting, based on visibility and geographical conditions.
✔ The practice of the Companions, particularly that of Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما, supports this understanding.
Conclusion
- The majority view: One global or national sighting is sufficient for all.
- The stronger view (according to hadith evidence): Each region’s sighting is independent, as horizons differ.
- Hence, if the moon is not visible in one’s area, fasting should not begin until it is sighted locally or confirmed through valid Sharʿī testimony.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
This is what I hold to be correct, and Allah knows best what is right.
