Ramadan Questions 2007

Moon Sighting

Q1: Is it considered to be a moon sighting if the moon is seen by these newly invented
instruments or does it have to be seen by the naked eye? And does the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia use the calendar, or a viewing instrument (telescope) or the naked eye to sight the
moon?

A: (Sheik bin Baz) The calendar is not relied upon when it comes to sighting the moon
for the month of Ramadan, nor for other than the month of Ramadan when it comes to the
rules of the Shariah according to the agreement from the people of knowledge. Sheik of
Islam Abu Abbas Ahmad bin Abdul Haleem bin Taimiya may Allah have mercy upon
him; spoke about the consensus concerning this.

And the argument for this is from what has been established from the authentic hadiths
from the Prophet peace and blessings are upon him when he said, ‘Fast when you see it
(the moon) and break you fast when you see it and if you are prevented from seeing it
then complete thirty days.’

As for using instruments (such as a telescope) then what is apparent from the proofs of
the Shariah is that the people should not be burdened seeking the moon with theses
instruments, rather the naked eye is sufficient.

But whoever sees the moon and he is sure he saw it with an instrument after the sun has
set and he is a trustworthy Muslim, then I don’t know of anything that prevents working
by this sighting because it is still a sighting by the eye and not by a calendar.

As for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia then it depends upon the eye sighting for all of the
rules of the Shariah, such as the entrance of Ramadan and its exit; and specifying the
days of Hajj and other than that from the Shariah.

May Allah give us all success to obtain Fiqh in the religion and make us firm, verily He is
the Generous the Noble.

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