Question:
We are a few board members of our Islamic center. Our question is, if we follow the international sighting stance to commence lunar months, is it permissible to declare and announce the beginning of the month as soon as we receive reliable verified information of moon sighting from the east or is it required to wait for sunset in our city, especially if it is the crescent for Ramaḍān or ʿEīd?
Answer:
In the Name of God, Most Merciful, Most Kind
Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for contacting us for your question.
Once the reliable information of moon sighting is obtained, there is no objection to announce the month’s beginning. In fact, the early announcement, for Ramaḍān and or ʿEīd is encouraged, especially in our North American context for the following reasons:
- Ease (an objective of the dīn) and avoiding unnecessary delays and suspense
- Tarāwīḥ (vigil prayers) preparation
- Arrangements and scheduling for sleep and suḥūr (pre-dawn meals)
- Booking halls, spaces and logistics for ʿEīd congregations
- Informing employers for time off
“Make things easy, do not make matters difficult.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
A group of islamic jurists from the Dār Al-Iftā of Dār Al-Ulūm Karachi, including Muftī Rafī’ Usmānī, have signed a fatwā wherein it is stated,
“If Canadian Muslims receive reliable moon sighting information from South Africa, Torontonians may declare the announcement any time prior to sunset.”
Our dear mentor and teacher, Muftī Riḍa Al-Ḥaq, the grand Muftī of South Africa says,
“Once the sunset and confirmed positive moon sighting occurs in those countries that are located in a time zone, 6 hours [or so] ahead of Canada [and America], you can immediately announce Ramaḍān or ʿEīd for the next day. Accordingly, if it is the Eīd Al-Fiṭr announcement, the fast of the entire day [up to sunset] must be completed.”
“When the crescent for Eīd Al-Fiṭr is seen during the day, complete the fast of that day.” (Al-Fatāwa Al-Sirājiyyah)
Muftī Khālid Saifullāh Al-Raḥmānī, the great jurist, has documented the following,
“Based on the reliable opinion of the Ḥanafī school, regarding global sighting, Canadian Muslims can accept the sighting of [for example,] South Africa and [immediately] declare the next month.”
Muftī Niyāz Aḥmad Al-Nadwī from the Dār Al-Iftā of Nadwat Al-ʿUlamā writes,
“If the decision is being made from the verified news of such a country that is, for example, six hour ahead of your time zone, you will declare Ramaḍān or ʿEīd Al-Fiṭr for the next day in your country. [If it is Ramaḍān,] the fast of that day must be completed [up to sunset, despite the early news of moon sighting]. This stance is supported in the books of fiqh (jurisprudence) and fatāwa (religious verdicts).”
And Allāh Knows Best