Our Shaykh, we exerted ourselves and did our best to see the new moon at the beginning of Ramadan, but we were unable to do so, and then we followed one of the organizations working

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner: O Shaykh, there are a large number of questions, so we ask your eminence to be concise so that we can accommodate as many questions as possible, and may Allah preserve you. Now, there are two groups of people here in America regarding Ramadan. The first group asks and says: “We inform you, O our Shaykh, that we exerted ourselves and did our best to see the new moon at the beginning of Ramadan, but we were unable to do so, and then we followed one of the organizations working in the Islamic field in America, and we began fasting based on their decision. However, it later became clear that we had started fasting a full day late. Therefore, we ask you, O Shaykh, to give your opinion on this matter: is it obligatory for us to make up this day or not? May Allah reward you with good.”

The Shaykh: What I see, and Allah knows best, in this matter is that those who fasted based on astronomical calculations should look to the nearest Islamic country that entered into fasting based on the legitimate sighting. If they fasted with them and broke their fast with them, and it is found that they broke their fast a day or more early, then they must make up this day after the festival at the end of Ramadan, if Allah wills (Blessed and Exalted is He). This is because what is built upon a defective foundation is itself defective. And it has become clear from what I mentioned earlier that relying on astronomical calculations to prove the new moon is absolutely not prescribed.
Yes.