Using astronomical instruments in sighting the crescent moon
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The third question of Fatwa No. ( 319 )
Q3: It is not possible to see the crescent moon with the naked eye before it is thirty hours old, and after that, it is not possible to see it due to the weather conditions. Taking this situation into consideration, is it permissible for the residents of England to use the astronomical data of this country to calculate the probable date of the new moon and the start of the month of Ramadan, or is it obligatory for us to see the new moon before we begin fasting the blessed month of Ramadan?
Vol. 3: It is permissible to use observation instruments in sighting the crescent, but it is not permissible to rely on astronomical sciences to establish the beginning of the blessed month of Ramadan or the day of breaking the fast; for Allah has not prescribed that for us, neither in His Book nor in the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Rather, He has prescribed for us establishing the beginning of Ramadan and its end by sighting the crescent of Ramadan at the start of fasting, and sighting the crescent of Shawwal for breaking the fast and gathering for the prayer of 'Id al-Fitr. He has made the months as times for people and for Hajj, so it is not permissible for a Muslim to time any of the acts of worship, such as fasting Ramadan, the festivals, and Hajj to the House, or fasting for the expiation of accidental killing, the expiation of zihar, or similar matters, by anything other than the sighting. Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Baqarah 2:185] And He the Exalted said: [Al-Baqarah 2:189] And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sunan an-Nasa'i 2124Sahih (Darussalam). Accordingly, it is obligatory for those who do not see the crescent at their horizon, whether in clear weather or cloudy, to complete the count of thirty days if no one else sees it at another horizon. If the sighting of the crescent is established for them at a horizon other than their own, they must follow what the Muslim ruler in their land rules regarding fasting or breaking the fast; for his ruling in such a matter resolves the disagreement among jurists regarding the consideration of different horizons.
and the non-consideration thereof. If the ruler in their land is not Muslim, they act according to what the Islamic Center Council in their land rules, whether fasting following the sighting of the crescent at a different horizon or breaking the fast, in accordance with the consideration of different horizons. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q3: It is not possible to see the crescent moon with the naked eye before it is thirty hours old, and after that, it is not possible to see it due to the weather conditions. Taking this situation into consideration, is it permissible for the residents of England to use the astronomical data of this country to calculate the probable date of the new moon and the start of the month of Ramadan, or is it obligatory for us to see the new moon before we begin fasting the blessed month of Ramadan?
Vol. 3: It is permissible to use observation instruments in sighting the crescent, but it is not permissible to rely on astronomical sciences to establish the beginning of the blessed month of Ramadan or the day of breaking the fast; for Allah has not prescribed that for us, neither in His Book nor in the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Rather, He has prescribed for us establishing the beginning of Ramadan and its end by sighting the crescent of Ramadan at the start of fasting, and sighting the crescent of Shawwal for breaking the fast and gathering for the prayer of 'Id al-Fitr. He has made the months as times for people and for Hajj, so it is not permissible for a Muslim to time any of the acts of worship, such as fasting Ramadan, the festivals, and Hajj to the House, or fasting for the expiation of accidental killing, the expiation of zihar, or similar matters, by anything other than the sighting. Allah the Exalted said:
So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it
فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُThey ask you, [O Muhammad], about the new moons. Say, "They are measurements of time for the people and for Hajj."
يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الأَهِلَّةِ قُلْ هِيَ مَوَاقِيتُ لِلنَّاسِ وَالْحَجِّFast when you see it and stop fasting when you see it, and if it is obscured from you (too cloudy), then complete thirty (days).
صوموا لرؤيته وأفطروا لرؤيته فإن غم عليكم فأكملوا العدة ثلاثينand the non-consideration thereof. If the ruler in their land is not Muslim, they act according to what the Islamic Center Council in their land rules, whether fasting following the sighting of the crescent at a different horizon or breaking the fast, in accordance with the consideration of different horizons. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.