Moon Sighting to Start / End Ramadhan from Islamic Evidences

Part 1

The discussion below aims at explaining the subject of Moon Sighting from Islamic evidences to remove some of the confusion & clarify some important relevant matters. Please mention any errors or improvements if any as only Allah knows the Best.

MOON Sighting: We Muslims greet the beginning & end of every Ramadan with chaos & confusion; hardly an appropriate way to welcome the blessed month of Ramadan, a month we should welcome and depart with Unity, Dignity & Confidence, not confusion and ignorance. After all we are not the only one, Jews also follow the moon calendar & their practices of moonsighting is almost exactly the same as ours.

Acknowledge the Genuine Differences: There are well known differences of opinion on the matter of moon sighting. Having a valid but differing Islamic opinion is healthy. we should acknowledge & accept these with open heart.

Quran & Sunnah should be the Reference: Fundamentally, our actions should be based on the Shari’ah (Islamic Laws). The primary sources of the Shari’ah must only be the Quran & Sunnah, and what is derived thereof. Our emotions, public opinion, common practices,  and the view of the majority do not determine the Shari’ah Rules. We must be careful not to unknowingly make these things as basis for our actions.

The Evidences for Moon Sighting:

Allah (SWT) says;

“Whoever witnesses the (Crescent of the) month among you, let him fast it.” [al-Baqarah:185]

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said:

1- “Do not fast till you see the Crescent (Hilal), and do not break the fast till you see it; but if the weather is cloudy, complete the period as thirty (days).” (Bukhari and Muslim)

2- “Fast when you see it (the Hilal), and break your fast when you see it, and if the weather is cloudy, determine it (as thirty days).“ (Muslim)

The Common Opinions:

There are two distinct matters in terms of the difference of opinion:

1. Physical Moon Sighting vs Calculation
2. Local Sighting vs Global Sighting

1- Sighting vs Calculation: A Weak Opinion

Some people advocate just following the calculations. This method uses astronomical knowledge to calculate when the new moon will be born, or (for some) when it will first be visible. This is an extremely weak opinion which should not be followed because the ahadith presented above are quite clear in their command that Muslims should begin & end Ramadan by physically sighting the moon.

The reason for this is not that Islam is not progressive or that it resists technology. On the contrary, the use of new technology and knowledge is encouraged to be used to implement divine rulings, but not to change them. The calculations can be used to determine the best time and place to sight the moon, but not to replace the ruling of Physically sighting altogether.

One may argue, don’t we use calculation in determining the times of prayer?

Yes we do, and this is a good example of the adoption of new technology such as watches to assist in the implementation of an Islamic rule. The difference however is that the Islamic ruling with respect to the prayer times is that maghrib, for instance, begins when the sun sets, not when you See the sun set. So we dont need to see the sun set.

However Ramadan begins when we See the moon, not when it is born. In other words, to use more technical (usooli, fiqhi) terminology, the sabab of maghrib is the sunset, not sighting the sunset, but the sabab of Ramadan is seeing the moon, not its being born.

Majority Famous Scholars Agree on Seeing: Majority of the respected & well-known scholars had an opinion that calculation is an invalid way to begin Ramadan. It is highlighted in Imam Malik’s statement, related by Imam al-Qurtubi in his tafsir, in which he spoke about the Imam who fasts and breaks fast by calculation instead of sighting, “He should not be followed in prayer nor emulated.” (Jami’ li-Ahkam al-Qur’an, 2:285)

All classical scholars including Imam-e-Azam Abu Hanifa, Malik, Shafai, Hanbal RA held the opinion that calculation can not be used as a substitute for physical sighting altogether. This was rejected outright. Some did allow the conditional use, but this is not advocated by anyone today so need not be discussed.

Local vs Global Sighting

Having established that the moon must be sighted, the next issue of disagreement is whether one global sighting is sufficient for all the Muslims around the world or should different lands/regions have their own local sightings.

The position of single global sighting (seeing moon anywhere in the world) is the stronger opinion, and indeed is the opinion of the majority of classical scholars. The Encyclopaedia of Fiqh (Kuwait) states,

“The Hanafees, Malikees & Hanbalees held – and it is one saying in the Shafai’i school also – that no consideration is given to the diversity of horizons [ikhtilaf al-matali’] in regards to confirming the month of Ramadan.

Thus, if the sighting of the crescent of Ramadan is established in one land, fasting becomes obligatory on all the Muslims in all the lands.  This is because of the saying of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), “Fast at its Sighting”, which is an address to the entire Ummah.” (Vol 23, p.142)

Most scholars state, the command of fasting & breaking fast in the Prophet’s saying is general. The verb ‘sumoo’ (Do fast) is in the plural form thus including all Muslims. Further, the word ‘ru’yatih’ (its sighting) has also come in a general form. So it covers sighting moon anywhere by any Muslim and is applicable on all Muslims.

However some scholars (mainly of the Shafi’i school) held that each region (defined by natural distance, not artificial borders of  ‘countries’) should follow their own sighting, on the basis of a narration from Ibn Abbas (RA) where he did not go by the sighting of Mu’awiya in al-Sham. Nevertheless, this was the ijtihad of Ibn Abbas, and is not an equal evidence to a hadith of the Prophet (see Shawkani, Nayl ul- Awtar, 4:268). Further, Imam Kasani in

Further, Imam Kasani in Bada’i al-Sana’i says that following other than one sighting for the whole Ummah is an innovation (biddah).

Other scholars have stated the same:

“To summarise: a person who finds out about the sighting of the moon in good time to be able to utilise it for fasting, for ending his fast, or for sacrifice, he must definitely do so. The texts and the reports about the salaf point to this. To limit this to a certain distance or country would contradict both the reason and the shara` (Islamic law).” [Ibn Taymiyya, Majmu’ al-Fatawa, 5: 111]

“Wherever the sighting is confirmed, however far off it may be, even if it were to be thousands of miles; the people of this place will have to abide by that.” [Fatawa Dar ul-Uloom Deoband (Urdu), 6:380]

Is Single Global Sighting Possible?

Some may think that global sighting is not feasible practically given the vast distances of different continents around the world. However in reality it is quite feasible, considering that:

1. The difference in the rise of the new moon between the farthest two points in the world does not exceed twelve hours.
2. Finding out late of the sighting due to time difference, which is quite possible, can be accounted for by making up a day if it is missed or, if the news of sighting of the Shawwal moon arrives late, breaking the fast and praying Eid the following morning.

Both situations are perfectly valid as these occurred with Prophet (SAW) and his Companions; the hadeeth states:

–  [Once] The Muslims did not begin fasting since they did not see the moon. Then a man from out of Madinah came and told the Prophet (SAW) that he had seen it (the moon). The Prophet (SAW) asked him if he was a Muslim to which the man answered in the affirmative. The Prophet (SAW) then said: “Allahu-Akbar! One is enough for all Muslims.” The Prophet (SAW) fasted and asked the people to stop eating and start fasting. (Abu Dawud & al-Sarakhsi in al-Masbut).

– Abu ‘Umayr ibn Anas reported from his paternal uncles among the Ansaar who said, “It was cloudy and we could not see the new moon of Shawwal, so we started the day fasting, then a caravan came at the end of the day and told the Messenger of Allah (SAW) that they had seen the new moon of Shawwal the day before, so He (SAW) told the people to stop fasting, and they went out to pray the Eid prayer the next day.” (Abu Dawud)

Local Sighting in Practice

Not withstanding the strength of the global sighting position, the local sighting opinion is still a valid Islamic opinion that can be followed by those who adopt it. However it should be followed according to the classical opinions and not on the basis of ulterior political factors as some do in modern times.

The most important consideration in this regard is that those who want to follow local sighting must be consistent with what are considered local regions. What distance separates one region from another? Shouldn’t Jordon, Syria and Lebanon be considered one region given the distance between them is shorter than the distance between Karachi and Islamabad in Pakistan (approx 1500 KM)? Such questions must be answered by a consistent definition of what defines one region from another.

What we find happening in modern times is that the local sighting position is adopted by some but implemented on the basis of false political basis (country borders) instead of correct Islamic injunction. The rulers in the Muslim lands are agents of the western powers. They want the Muslim lands to remain divided and for the Muslims to show no sign of unity based on Islam. This is why we have a farcical situation whereby all the countries in the Middle East go by their own sightings even though most of them would come under the same region. This sort of manipulation of fiqh on the basis of borders placed in the Muslim lands by the colonialists is to be rejected outright, and we must be careful not to follow those who perpetuate such false divisions.

We must reject these nationalistic borders introduced by the enemies and work to unite the Muslim lands, instead of recognising them and even changing our fiqh on their basis. We must remember that in Islam there is no obedience to any ruler or government which is in contradiction to Islam.

What about following the majority?

Some people argue that we must follow what the majority are practicing, on the basis of some Islamic texts about holding on to the Jama’at. This is a misrepresentation of the word ‘Jama’ah’ which in the Islamic terminology refers not to some ill-defined ‘majority’ but to the collective of Muslims under an Imam (Khaleefah). Prophet (SAW) advised Huthaifah (RA) to, “Adhere to the Jama’ah of Muslims and their Imam” when the time of great tribulation arrive (narrated in a long hadith by al-Bukhari).

It can also refer to those who adhere to the correct Islamic position even if it is a minority, as expressed in the narration of Ibn Mas’ud (RA) where he said, “The Jama’ah is the Truth (Haq) even if it is one person”. This shows that following the Jama’ah is not as simple as being a number game about following those who are in the majority.

Indeed, there is no principle of merely following the majority of people in Islam. Rather the Hukm of Allah (SWT) is to be followed. We are to follow the strongest opinion. Any valid opinion can however be followed by those who adopt such opinions. But this is different to following the majority.

What about Unity?

The true unity of the Muslims can only be achieved under the Khilafat (the true Islamic state). The adoption of the Khalifah is what removes the difference of opinion. Until the Khilafah is re-established, there will be no true unity in the matter of Ramadan, let alone other more important matters. Therefore any claims of unity have to be considered in light of this fact. We usually have two or three different beginnings for Ramadan and for Eid. You or I moving from one position to another will not achieve any unity. Nor will my following ‘the biggest mosque’ or the biggest community.

Further, to run after local unity in one city is a rather narrow approach. Even if the Muslims in one country followed one method, and those in the Middle East followed a few other methods, and those in the Subcontinent yet more, what sort of unity does this represent? The unity of the whole Ummah is the objective. The global sighting position, on top of being the strongest opinion, is most conducive to this.

We should make efforts to achieve the proper unity through the establishment of Khilafah, insha Allah.

Please read Part 2, Scientific Explaination on When & Where to Expect the New Moon