SIGHITNG THE MOON AND
GIVING TESTIMONY FOR IT
Q. How is it to try to sight the moon for
the month of Ramadhan?
Trying to sight the moon for the month of
Ramadhan and scanning the horizon for it on the 29th of Sha’ban
is ordained. It is, likewise, desirable to try to sight the moon for the month
of Sha’ban on the 29th of Rajab so that correct estimate of
the 29th of Sha’ban later is made possible. If on the 29th
of Sha’ban the Ramadhan moon is sighted, fast must be kept the next
morning. If no moon has been sighted although the horizon was clear, no fast
should be kept in the morning. If, however, the horizon was under cloud or
dust, eating and drinking should be avoided until ten or eleven o’clock in the
morning. If in the meantime word about the sighting of moon is received through
some reliable source, we must intend for the fast. If not, we should resume
eating and drinking. But intending for the fast on the day following the 29th
of Sha’ban under the assumption that if Ramadhan has not commented it
will be counted as a Nafl fast is undesirable.
Q. What testimony is dependable for the
Ramadhan moon?
If the sky is not clear because of cloud
or dust, the testimony of one truthful and god-fearing person shall be good for
the opening of Ramadhan whether such a person is a man or woman, free or slave.
Similarly, testimony of a person who is not known to be a transgressor and who
looks god-fearing on the face of it, is also reliable.
Q. What testimony is acceptable for the ‘Id
moon?
In the event of the horizon being not
clear, the testimony of two pious and truthful men or of one man and two women
shall be good.
Q. How many people must testify to having
sighted the moon in the event of the horizon being clear?
If the horizon is clear, people in such a
large number must be there to the sighting of the moon that their version
becomes beyond the suspicion of concoction and falsehood. The number should be
large enough to inspire confidence and trust in the minds of the people.
Q. Will the word about the sighting of the
moon in a distant city or town be acceptable to the people of another locality?
The news from whatever distant a place it
comes could be acceptable. For instance, the people in Burma have not sighted
the moon, but still they will have to observe the missed fast at a later should
a person from Delhi testify to having sighted the moon before them. Provided
always that the testimony comes from a source cognizable in Shariah.
Telegraphic message is not acceptable in Islam.
Q. If a lone person sights the Ramadhan moon
whose testimony is not accepted by scholars of the Shariah for purposes
of fasting, is he duty bound to start fasting as an individual?
Yes, he is ordained to fast. But if he
has counted thirty days of fasting on the basis of his own testimony, but still
the ‘Id moon has not been sighted, he shall have to fast even on the 31th day along with others.
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