Rulings of Moon Sighting and Difference of Horizons
This excerpt is taken from the book Ru’yat al-Hilal by Fadhilat al-Shaykh Maqsood al-Hasan Faizi.◈ Moon Sighting and Difference of Horizons
Every year, at the time of the crescent of Eid and Ramadan, the issue of Ikhtilāf al-Maṭāliʿ (difference of horizons) arises. A brief clarification is presented below: Sighting of the Crescent for Ramadan and Eid
The beginning of any Islamic month is established in only two ways:① Sighting of the crescent (Ru’yat al-Hilal)
② Completion of thirty days of the current month
For example:
- If the crescent of Ramadan is sighted, fasting will begin the next day, even if only twenty-nine (29) days of Sha‘ban have passed.
- If on the 29th of Sha‘ban the sky is cloudy or for any reason the moon is not sighted, then thirty (30) days of Sha‘ban will be completed, and fasting will begin thereafter, whether the moon is seen or not.
- Likewise, if on the 29th of Ramadan the crescent is not sighted due to clouds or any other reason, thirty (30) days of Ramadan will be completed, and Eid will be celebrated the following day regardless.
- If the crescent is seen on the evening of the 29th of Ramadan, the next day will be 1st Shawwal – Eid al-Fitr.
◈ Evidence from Hadith
The basis of this principle is the statement of the Prophet ﷺ recorded in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, al-Nasā’i and Musnad Aḥmad:لا تصوموا حتى تروا الهلال ولا تفطروا حتى تروه، فإن غم عليكم فاقدروا له (وفي رواية) فأكملوا العدة ثلاثين
Reference: Mishkāt: 1/615; al-Fatḥ al-Rabbānī 9/247
“Do not begin fasting until you see the crescent, and do not end fasting until you see it. If it is obscured from you, then calculate it (and in another narration
complete the number to thirty.” Testimony for Sighting the Crescent of Ramadan
It should be remembered that it is not required for every individual to see the crescent personally.For beginning Ramadan, the testimony of one sane, adult, upright and trustworthy Muslim who claims to have seen the moon is sufficient.
◈ Evidence
Sayyidunā ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما reported:تراءى الناس الهلال فأخبرت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إني رأيته فصام وأمر الناس بصيامه
Reference: Abu Dawud; Ibn Ḥibbān; al-Mustadrak; al-Dārimī; al-Bayhaqī – Mishkāt 1/617
“The people tried to sight the crescent. I informed the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that I had seen it. So he fasted and ordered the people to fast.”
The majority of scholars, including Imām al-Shāfi‘ī, Imām Aḥmad and the Ḥanafīs, hold that one witness is sufficient for establishing Ramadan.
Reference: Bulūgh al-Amānī 9/268; Nayl al-Awṭār 4/187
Testimony for the Crescent of Eid
In the case of Eid, however:- For beginning Ramadan → One witness is sufficient
- For ending Ramadan (Eid crescent) → Two witnesses are required
◈ Evidence
It is reported that during the Prophetic era, when the crescent was not seen on the 29th of Ramadan, the people fasted the 30th day. Later, two Bedouins testified that they had seen the moon the previous night, so the Prophet ﷺ ordered the people to break their fast.
Reference: al-Fatḥ al-Rabbānī 9/665
The four Imams also hold that two witnesses are required for Eid.
Reference: Bulūgh al-Amānī 9/269
Decisive Conclusion
Reconciling the various narrations:✔ For fasting (Ramadan) → One witness
✔ For Eid (ending Ramadan) → Two witnesses
This is more appropriate because:
- Fasting involves hardship; false testimony is unlikely.
- Eid brings joy; the possibility of error is greater, hence two witnesses are required.
Reference: Fatāwā ‘Ulamā’ Ḥadīth 6/193
A Rare Situation
If the moon is not sighted and no valid testimony exists, thirty (30) days must be completed.If someone sees the moon but his testimony is not accepted legally, he should remain with the community.
◈ Evidence
الصوم يوم تصومون والفطر يوم تفطرون والأضحى يوم تضحون
Reference: Abu Dawud; Tirmidhi; Ibn Majah – al-Irwā’ 4/11-14
“Fasting is the day you all fast; breaking the fast is the day you all break it; and sacrifice is the day you all sacrifice.”
Sighting in Another Location
If one region cannot see the moon due to clouds, but another region sees it and informs through reliable means (telephone, etc.), the report can be accepted provided certainty is established.The Prophet ﷺ instructed:
يا بلال أذن فى الناس فليصوموا غدا
“O Bilal! Announce to the people that they should fast tomorrow.”
This indicates the legitimacy of official public announcements.
Difference of Horizons (Ikhtilāf al-Maṭāliʿ)
An important question arises:If the moon is sighted in one country and the news spreads worldwide instantly, does it become obligatory for all to fast or celebrate Eid?
The summary of scholarly discussions:
✔ The horizons of different countries vary.
✔ The moon may be visible in one region but not another on the same day.
✔ Therefore, difference of horizons is معتبر (considered).
Thus:
- It is not necessary that when Saudi Arabia celebrates Eid, Pakistan or India must do so the same day.
- Each country has its own sighting.
Reference: Jadīd Fiqhī Masā’il p.29
Distance Affecting Difference of Horizons
Scholars differed regarding the distance that causes difference of horizons.Some stated that regions separated by a journey of approximately one month’s travel have independent horizons.
Sayyidunā ‘Ikrimah رحمه الله said:
الكل أهل بلد رؤيتهم
“Each land has its own sighting.”
Reference: al-Mughnī 4/328
Astronomical experts also affirm that visibility varies by geographical position.
Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله stated:
“If the moon is sighted in the east, it must be sighted in the west; but if sighted in the west, it is not necessary that it be sighted in the east.”
Reference: al-I‘tiṣām Lahore, 16 Jan 1987
Ḥanafī Scholars on Difference of Horizons
Prominent Ḥanafī scholar Mawlānā ‘Abd al-Ḥayy Lucknawī رحمه الله concluded:“The most correct opinion, rationally and textually, is that if the distance between two lands causes difference of horizons (estimated as a month’s journey), the sighting of one is not binding upon the other. For nearer lands, it is binding.”
Reference: Majmū‘at al-Fatāwā 1/255
Scholars of the Indian subcontinent have generally acted upon this principle.
✈ If a Person Travels Between Countries
If someone begins fasting in one country and travels to another where Ramadan started a day earlier or later:① If his total fasts become 28 → He must complete one qada’ fast later.
② If they become 31 → He may fast with the people (preferably), even if it exceeds 30.
Scholars mention:
Ramadan cannot be less than 29 days nor more than 30 by consensus.
Reference: Bidāyat al-Mujtahid 1/283
Some scholars, including Shaykh Ibn Bāz رحمه الله, considered fasting with the local community obligatory in certain cases.
Reference: Fatāwā Islāmiyyah 2/133
Supplication
This valuable work is authored by the distinguished scholar Abu Kaleem Fadhilat al-Shaykh Maqsood al-Hasan Faizi (al-Ghāṭ – al-Qaṣīm, Saudi Arabia).May Allah reward him with goodness in this world and the Hereafter.
فجزاه الله خيرا فى الدنيا والآخرة
May Allah include it in the scale of good deeds of the author, presenter, publishers, and supporters.
آمين يا رب العالمين
والسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
Abu ‘Adnān Muḥammad Munīr Qamar
Translator, General Court (Shar‘i Court), al-Khobar
Saudi Arabia
