Sighting the Moon:
The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) said:
“When Ramadaan comes to you, fast thirty (days) unless you see the new moon before that.”
Authenticated by At-Tahaawee (Sharh Ma`aaniy-il-Aathaar, 1/437), Al-Albaanee (As-Saheehah, 1308; Saheeh-ul-Jaami`, 472), Shu`aib Al-Arna’oot (Musnad Ahmad, 19394) and others.
The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) said:
“Fast when it (the new moon) is seen, and cease fasting when it is seen and perform the rites of Hajj base upon that and if it is hidden by clouds then complete thirty (days), and if two reliable Muslim witnesses testify then fast and cease fasting.”
Authenticated by Ash-Shaukaanee (Nayl-ul-Autaar, 4/261), Al-Albaanee (Al-Irwaa`, 909; Saheeh-ul-Jaami`, 3811), Shu`aib Al-Arna’oot (Musnad Ahmad, 18915) and others.
`Abdullaah ibn `Umar (radiyallaahu `anhumaa) said: “The people looked out for the new moon, so I informed the Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) that I had seen it, so he fasted and ordered the people to fast.”
Authenticated by Ibn Hazm (Al-Muhallaa, 6/236), An-Nawawee (Al-Majmoo`, 6/275), Ibn-ul-Mulaqqin (Al-Badr-ul-Muneer, 5/647; Tuhfat-ul-Muhtaaj, 2/78), Al-Albaanee (Al-Irwaa’, 908; At-Ta`leeqaat-ur-Radeeyah, 2/7; Al-Mishkaah, 1920), Al-Waadi`ee (As-Saheeh-ul-Musnad, 756) and others.
`Ammaar ibn Yaasir (radiyallaahu `anhu) said: “Whoever fasts the day about which there is doubt has disobeyed Abul-Qaasim (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam).”
Authenticated by At-Tirmidhee (686), Ad-Daaraqutnee (As-Sunan, 2/355), Ibn-ul-Mulaqqin (Al-Badr-ul-Muneer, 5/691; Tuhfat-ul-Muhtaaj, 2/88), Ibn Hajar (Taghleeq-ut-Ta`leeq, 3/140), Al-Albaanee (Al-Irwaa’, 961; Saheeh Ibn Khuzaimah, 1914) and others.
Kurayb said: “While I was in Shaam the month of Ramadan commenced. We saw the new moon on the night of Jumu`ah. I then returned to Madeenah at the end of the month. `Abdullaah ibn `Abbaas (radiyallaahu `anhumaa) asked me:
“When did you see the new moon?” I said:
“We saw it on the night of Friday.” He said:
“Did you see it yourself?” I said:
“Yes, and the people also saw it and they fasted and so did Mu`aawiyah (radiyallaahu `anhu). He said:
“But we saw it on the night of Saturday. So we shall continue fasting until we complete thirty days or we see it (the new moon of Shawwal).” I said:
“Does not Mu`aawiyah’s sighting suffice you?” He replied:
“No; this is how the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) commanded us.””
Reported by Muslim (1087).
