The Disagreement Regarding One Who Sees the Crescent Alone

Question: If I see the crescent of Ramadan and come forward to report it, but no one corroborates me, should I fast for thirty days if the people did not fast except for twenty-nine days?

Answer: If a person comes forward and informs the judge or the person in charge that he saw the crescent of Ramadan, but they do not accept it from him and do not act upon his sighting, there is a disagreement among the scholars regarding this. The majority held that he should fast, because the month has been established for him by his sighting; so he fasts and precedes the people by one day, and breaks his fast with them when they break it. Others among the scholars held that he should not fast if they do not act upon his sighting, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): . Since the Muslims did not fast on this day, he should not fast it either. This is the choice of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) and a group of scholars, and it is more apparent in the evidence, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): . Since the Muslims did not fast, his testimony becomes void regarding his own right and the right of others, so he does not fast. This is the stronger position, and success is from Allah.