Sighting of the New Moon

[Naqshbandi]

Sighting of the New Moon

Islam has given great credance for sighting of the new moon which should be proven without any shadow of a doubt, or related by witnesses satisfying religious conditions for it. The testimony of sighting the new moon should be presented to the Muslim Judge (Qadi) or if it is not a Muslim ruled country then to the authoritative Alim (learned person) of the town. If the moon is not sighted on the 29th of Sha'baan then 30 days of Sha'baan should be completed. Likewise, if the new moon is not visible on the 29th of Ramadan, and no religiously reliable news about it is obtained, 30 days of Ramadan should be completed and then Eid al-Fitr should be celebrated. However, it is sinful to fast when in doubt.

[Naqshbandi]

The Beloved Rasool Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa sallam said, "See the moon and commence fasting and see the moon and end fasting (make Eid) and if the skies are overcast, then complete the counting of thirty (days)."


Hadrat Ibn Umar Radi Allahu anhu reported, I heard the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa sallam saying, "When you see the crescent (of the month of Ramadan), start fasting, and when you see the crescent (of the month of Shawwal), stop fasting; and if the sky is overcast (and you can't see It) then regard the crescent (month) of Ramadan (as of 30 days, in other words complete 30 days)". [Bukhari]


Hadrat Abdullah bin Umar Radi Allahu anhu reported that the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa sallam said, "The month (can be) 29 nights (i.e. days), and do not fast till you see the moon, and if the sky is overcast, then complete Sha'ban as thirty days." [Bukhari]


Hadrat Abu Hurayrah Radi Allahu anhu reported tha the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa sallam said, "Start fasting on seeing the crescent (of Ramadan), and give up fasting on seeing the crescent (of Shawwal), and if the sky is overcast (and you cannot see it), complete thirty days of Sha'ban." [Bukhari]


Hadrat Huzayfah Radi Allahu anhu reported that the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa sallam said, “Do not fast (for Ramadan) before the coming of the month until you sight the moon or complete the number (of thirty days); then fast until you sight the moon or complete the number (of thirty days). [Abu Dawood]