In some years, it happens that the crescent is seen on the morning of the twenty-ninth day of Ramadan, and at the end of the day, the governments announce that the Shawwal crescent has appeared and that tomorrow is the festival.

The questioner : In some years, it happens that the crescent is seen on the morning of the twenty-ninth day of Ramadan, and at the end of the day, the governments announce that the Shawwal crescent has appeared and that tomorrow is the festival. Some people say, "It is not possible for the crescent to be seen in the morning and then for the crescent to be seen at the end of the day?"

The Shaykh : This statement has no value, because the Shari'ah linked the establishment of the month, whether its entry or its exit, to the sighting of the crescent. No report has come regarding the issue of seeing the crescent in the morning having a negative value, meaning, as it is said. And peace be upon you and Allah's mercy. In my opinion, this has no value from the Shari'ah perspective. Then, if we were to philosophize a little about geography or astronomy, the matter differs depending on the length of the day and the shortness of the night, and vice versa. Therefore, it is not permissible to adopt the rule that if it is seen, it will not be seen. It is possible that it can be seen, and it is possible that it cannot be seen.

The questioner : Some people cited as evidence His saying, the Exalted: ; is this evidence in its proper place?

The Shaykh : Absolutely not; it has no relation to that. The intended meaning of the verse is very clear: there is no meeting, there is no collision; each moves in its own orbit. So it has no relation to this topic at all.