Written by: Shaykh Hafiz Abdul Sattar Al-Hammad (حفظ اللہ)
Arabic Text:
صُومُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ وَأَفْطِرُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ
“Fast upon sighting the moon and break your fast (celebrate Eid) upon sighting it.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Sawm: 1909]
Arabic Text:
صُومُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ وَأَفْطِرُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ
“Fast upon sighting the moon and break your fast (celebrate Eid) upon sighting it.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Sawm: 1909]
Key Points:
- The Blessing of Fasting:
- Fasting is a great act of devotion for Muslims, instilling a longing for the Hereafter and curbing worldly desires.
- It nurtures empathy for the less fortunate and fosters a sense of solidarity and compassion.
- The Beginning of Ramadan:
- The obligation to fast begins with the confirmed start of Ramadan. There are three ways to establish the start of Ramadan:
- ① Sighting the Crescent Moon:
- Ramadan begins when the new moon is sighted. This is emphasized in the Hadith mentioned above and supported by the Quran:
“Whoever witnesses the month, let him fast.”
[Al-Baqarah: 185] - ② Testimony of a Trustworthy Witness:
- If an individual does not personally sight the moon but receives credible testimony from a trustworthy, mature, and rational witness, they must begin fasting.
- Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما)reported:
“People tried to sight the Ramadan moon. I saw it and informed the Prophet (ﷺ), and he fasted and ordered the people to fast.”
[Sunan Abu Dawood, Kitab al-Siyam: 2342] - ③ Completion of 30 Days of Sha'ban:
- If the moon is not sighted, nor is any testimony received, Ramadan begins after completing 30 days of Sha'ban.
- The Prophet (ﷺ) instructed:
“If the sky is cloudy, complete 30 days of Sha'ban.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Sawm: 1909]
- The Obligation of Fasting:
- Once Ramadan is confirmed through any of the above methods, fasting becomes obligatory for all eligible Muslims.