No consideration is given to the completion of Jumada al-Akhirah and Rajab in the shortening of Sha'ban

Question: If the months of Jumada al-Akhirah and Rajab are complete, and on the twenty-ninth day of Sha'ban the sighting of the moon becomes difficult, should we rely on the general rule, which is that the third month, Sha'ban, is not complete?


Answer: It is not permissible to fast until it is known that the month has entered, either by completing Sha'ban with thirty days or by sighting the new moon. One should not pay attention to the clouds or the issue of whether a month may be completed or shortened in some months; because the basis is the sighting or completing the count.