What is the ruling on the difference between countries regarding fasting and the Festival of Breaking the Fast?
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The questioner : Regarding the difference between countries in fasting, we find, for example, that in one country people are still fasting, while in another country it is the Festival of Breaking the Fast on the same day. What is the ruling on that?
The Shaykh : The ruling on this is that the scholars have differed on this issue: if the beginning of the month is established in one country, does its ruling apply to all Islamic countries, or is the ruling specific to that country, or is the ruling specific to that country and those that share its horizon for sighting the crescent?
There is scholarly disagreement on this issue, with approximately six opinions. Some said: It is established beyond doubt that the horizons for sighting the crescent differ. If they differ, then it is obligatory that the ruling on the entry or exit of the month be tied to the difference in horizons. If the horizons agree between countries, then the ruling on the entry of the month is established for those countries if it is sighted in one of them. If the horizons differ, then each country has its own ruling. This is the choice of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him), and it is what the texts indicate:
Among that is the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Baqarah 2:185] And those whose horizons differ from the country of sighting did not witness the month.
And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 1080g And those among whom the horizons for sighting the crescent differ did not see it. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) tied the ruling to the sighting.
Just as this is the implication of the indication of the Book and the Sunnah, it is also the implication of analogical reasoning. People differ in ruling regarding the rising and setting of the sun. You will find a country where the dawn has risen, so they abstained from fasting, and another country where it is still night, so they are eating and drinking. You will find a country where the sun has set, so eating and drinking are permissible for them, and another country where the sun has not set, so they are still fasting. If countries differ according to the rising and setting of the sun, which is a daily timing, then likewise countries must differ according to the rising and setting of the moon, which is a monthly timing.
However, the practice today is based on one of the six opinions I mentioned, which is that the ruling is tied to the authority. If these countries are under one authority, then the ruling of the crescent is established for all of them, even if they are far apart.
Some scholars hold that whenever the sighting of the crescent is established in any Islamic country, the ruling applies to the entire Muslim community.
The questioner : Thank you, esteemed Shaykh, for your generosity.
The Shaykh : The ruling on this is that the scholars have differed on this issue: if the beginning of the month is established in one country, does its ruling apply to all Islamic countries, or is the ruling specific to that country, or is the ruling specific to that country and those that share its horizon for sighting the crescent?
There is scholarly disagreement on this issue, with approximately six opinions. Some said: It is established beyond doubt that the horizons for sighting the crescent differ. If they differ, then it is obligatory that the ruling on the entry or exit of the month be tied to the difference in horizons. If the horizons agree between countries, then the ruling on the entry of the month is established for those countries if it is sighted in one of them. If the horizons differ, then each country has its own ruling. This is the choice of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him), and it is what the texts indicate:
Among that is the saying of Allah the Exalted:
So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it
فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُAnd the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
When you see the new moon, observe fast, and when you see it (again) then break it
إذا رأيتموه فصوموا، وإذا رأيتموه فأفطرواJust as this is the implication of the indication of the Book and the Sunnah, it is also the implication of analogical reasoning. People differ in ruling regarding the rising and setting of the sun. You will find a country where the dawn has risen, so they abstained from fasting, and another country where it is still night, so they are eating and drinking. You will find a country where the sun has set, so eating and drinking are permissible for them, and another country where the sun has not set, so they are still fasting. If countries differ according to the rising and setting of the sun, which is a daily timing, then likewise countries must differ according to the rising and setting of the moon, which is a monthly timing.
However, the practice today is based on one of the six opinions I mentioned, which is that the ruling is tied to the authority. If these countries are under one authority, then the ruling of the crescent is established for all of them, even if they are far apart.
Some scholars hold that whenever the sighting of the crescent is established in any Islamic country, the ruling applies to the entire Muslim community.
The questioner : Thank you, esteemed Shaykh, for your generosity.