The criterion for the beginning and end of the month of Ramadan is the sighting of the crescent moon
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The second question of Fatwa No. ( 2036 )
Q2: There is a major disagreement among Muslim scholars regarding determining the start of fasting in Ramadan and the blessed 'Id al-Fitr. Some act based on the hadithSahih Muslim 1081b, while other scholars rely on the opinions of astronomers, stating that astronomers have reached the pinnacle of astronomical science such that they can determine the beginning of lunar months, and thus they follow the calendar.
A2: First: The correct opinion that must be acted upon is what is indicated by
the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sunan an-Nasa'i 2124Sahih (Darussalam), which is that the criterion for the beginning and end of the month of Ramadan is the sighting of the crescent moon. The Shari'ah of Islam, with which Allah sent our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), is general, eternal, and continuous until the Day of Resurrection. Second: Allah the Exalted knows what has been and what will be, including the advancement of astronomy and other sciences, and yet He said: [Al-Baqarah 2:185], and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) clarified this by saying: Sahih Muslim 1081b. Thus, he tied the fasting of Ramadan and breaking the fast to the sighting of the crescent moon, and did not tie it to the knowledge of the month by calculating the stars, despite His knowledge (Glorified and Exalted is He) that astronomers would advance in their knowledge of calculating the stars and estimating their movement. Therefore, it is obligatory for Muslims to resort to what Allah prescribed for them through the tongue of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), which is to rely on the sighting of the crescent moon for fasting and breaking the fast. This is like a consensus among the scholars, and whoever disagrees with this and relies on the calculation of the stars, his opinion is anomalous and not to be relied upon. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q2: There is a major disagreement among Muslim scholars regarding determining the start of fasting in Ramadan and the blessed 'Id al-Fitr. Some act based on the hadith
Observe fast on sighting it (the new moon) and break (fast) on sighting it (the new moon)
صوموا لرؤيته وأفطروا لرؤيتهA2: First: The correct opinion that must be acted upon is what is indicated by
the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
Fast when you see it and stop fasting when you see it, and if it is obscured from you (too cloudy), then complete thirty
صوموا لرؤيته وأفطروا لرؤيته فإن غم عليكم فأكملوا العدةSo whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it
فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُObserve fast on sighting it (the new moon) and break (fast) on sighting it (the new moon)
صوموا لرؤيته وأفطروا لرؤيته
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.