The New Moons, the Difference in Sightings, and Astronomical Calculations
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The eighth question of the fatwa numbered ( 20308 )
Q8: Do we fast Ramadan for thirty days without any reduction?
A8: This practice is an error, indeed a reprehensible one, contrary to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and to the practice of his Companions from the people of the House and others, (may Allah be pleased with them all); for Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Baqarah 2:189], and He the Exalted said: [Al-Hashr 59:7], and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sunan an-Nasa'i 2124Sahih (Darussalam), and in another wording: , and in yet another wording: Sahih al-Bukhari 1909. These verses and hadiths indicate that the obligatory course is to follow the new moons. If the month is completed at thirty days, people fast for thirty; if it is shortened, people fast for twenty-nine. The hadiths from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) have been transmitted by mass transmission, indicating that the month is sometimes twenty-nine days and sometimes thirty. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded
to sight the new moon, and to complete the count if the new moon is not seen on the night of the thirtieth of Sha'ban or the night of the thirtieth of Ramadan. It is not permissible for anyone to rule by his own opinion and say that the month is always thirty days; because this statement contradicts and opposes the authentic, established hadiths from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). It is also contrary to the consensus of the Muslims, for the scholars have unanimously agreed that the month is sometimes twenty-nine days and sometimes thirty. Reality bears witness to this, and it is known to everyone who has an interest in this matter. And Allah the Exalted said in His great Book:[An-Nisa 4:59]. The scholars from among the people of exegesis and others said: referring to Allah means referring to His noble Book, and referring to the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) means referring to his person during his lifetime, and to his authentic Sunnah after his passing. We have clarified for you the evidence from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and the consensus of the scholars that the month is sometimes twenty-nine days and sometimes thirty. Therefore, no one among the people has the right to contradict this established principle. And Allah is the Helper, and He is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.
And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and his Companions.
Q8: Do we fast Ramadan for thirty days without any reduction?
A8: This practice is an error, indeed a reprehensible one, contrary to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and to the practice of his Companions from the people of the House and others, (may Allah be pleased with them all); for Allah the Exalted said:
They ask you, [O Muhammad], about the new moons. Say, "They are measurements of time for the people and for Hajj."
يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الأَهِلَّةِ قُلْ هِيَ مَوَاقِيتُ لِلنَّاسِ وَالْحَجِّAnd whatever the Messenger has given you - take; and what he has forbidden you - refrain from
وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُواFast when you see it and stop fasting when you see it, and if it is obscured from you (too cloudy), then complete thirty (days).
صوموا لرؤيته وأفطروا لرؤيته، فإن غم عليكم فأكملوا العدة ثلاثينSo fast for thirty days
فصوموا ثلاثينcomplete thirty days of Sha'ban
فأكملوا عدة شعبان ثلاثين يومًاto sight the new moon, and to complete the count if the new moon is not seen on the night of the thirtieth of Sha'ban or the night of the thirtieth of Ramadan. It is not permissible for anyone to rule by his own opinion and say that the month is always thirty days; because this statement contradicts and opposes the authentic, established hadiths from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). It is also contrary to the consensus of the Muslims, for the scholars have unanimously agreed that the month is sometimes twenty-nine days and sometimes thirty. Reality bears witness to this, and it is known to everyone who has an interest in this matter. And Allah the Exalted said in His great Book:
O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ فَإِنْ تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلاAnd success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.