The Commencement of Ramadan

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]

Key Points:

  1. 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.
  2. 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]
  3. The Obligation of Fasting:
    • Once Ramadan is confirmed through any of the above methods, fasting becomes obligatory for all eligible Muslims.

Conclusion:

The start of Ramadan is determined through the sighting of the crescent moon, testimony from a trustworthy individual, or completing 30 days of Sha'ban. It is a month filled with blessings and an opportunity to strengthen one's faith, practice self-discipline, and show compassion for others. Muslims should ensure to follow these prescribed methods to accurately determine the commencement of Ramadan.
 
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