The Sharʿī Scope of Moon Sighting in a Country and Reliable Reports
Reference: Ahkam wa Masail, Fasting Issues, Vol. 1, Page 279
❖ Question:
Up to what distance is the moon sighting valid in a way that leaves no doubt? It is heard that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever fasts in doubt has disobeyed me.”
Therefore, please explain the situation in which there is no scope for doubt but certainty is established.
Some regions in our country are so remote that even radio service is unavailable. Their condition is almost similar to the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. In such circumstances, what method should they adopt?
Also, up to what distance is a radio announcement about moon sighting considered valid?
❖ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
◈ Sharʿī Principle Regarding Moon Sighting
✿ The saying of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is recorded in Ṣaḥīḥayn and other books of ḥadīth:
"Fast when you see the crescent, and end the fast when you see it, and if it is obscured from you (by clouds, etc.), then complete thirty days.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb aṣ-Ṣawm, Bāb Qawl an-Nabī ﷺ Idhā Raʾaytum al-Hilāl fa-Ṣūmū wa Idhā Raʾaytumūhu fa-Afṭirū)
◈ Is It Necessary for Everyone to See the Moon Themselves?
◈ It is not necessary for each individual to see the crescent personally.
◈ If a reliable (thiqah) person testifies to sighting the crescent, it is permissible to act upon it.
◈ Evidence: The Prophet ﷺ commanded fasting in Ramadan based on the testimony of a single companion who had sighted the crescent.
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb aṣ-Ṣiyām, Bāb fī Shahādat al-Wāḥid ʿalā Ruʾyat Hilāl Ramaḍān)
◈ Timing of the First Crescent
◈ On the first night, the crescent remains visible for about 45 minutes on the horizon.
◈ If the time difference between sunset and moonset is 45 minutes or more, there can be a variation in the horizon (maṭlaʿ).
◈ This may also cause variation in moon sighting dates.
◈ Validity of Moon Sighting for the Whole Country
◈ If the moon is sighted at any place within Pakistan, that sighting is valid for the entire country.
◈ The condition is that:
✔ The moon sighting must be authentically established.
✔ The news should be conveyed to the public through reliable sources.
Hādhā mā ʿindī, wallāhu aʿlam biṣ-ṣawāb.
