The Committed Believer · Eid & Special Occasions

Eid Moon Sighting Guidance

Guidance for Muslims on moon sighting and fasting practices during Eid.

6 questions · Medium · about 4 minutes

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6 questions, about 4 minutes.

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1. If Muslims in a non-Muslim country have no Islamic organization for moon sighting, what may they do?

  • Follow a trustworthy country that uses shari‘ah moon sighting, not calculations. (correct answer)
  • Use astronomical calculations as the only proof.
  • Stop observing Ramadan until a local government decides.
  • Each person must choose a different country every year.

Why

If Muslims in a non-Muslim country have an Islamic organization or council that handles moon sighting, they should follow it. If they do not have such an organization, there is no sin on them if they follow a trusted country that determines Ramadan by shari‘ah moon sighting rather than astronomical calculations.

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2. If a trusted local Islamic body depends on moon sighting, what is better for Muslims living far from another sighting location?

  • Follow the trusted local body’s moon-sighting decision. (correct answer)
  • Always follow Makkah regardless of the local sighting process.
  • Choose whichever announcement is personally preferred.
  • Reject moon sighting and rely on calculations instead.

Why

There is a recognized scholarly difference on whether all lands must follow one sighting or whether far-apart lands may each have their own sighting. The source states that if the local European Islamic Society depends on moon sighting, it is better to follow it in starting and ending the fast. It also cites the view that when lands are far apart, each land may have its own sighting.

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3. If someone begins Ramadan in one country, then travels to another country where Ramadan began later, what should they do?

  • Continue fasting with the people of the second country. (correct answer)
  • Stop fasting because Ramadan has not begun there yet.
  • Fast exactly thirty days no matter what the second country does.
  • Ignore both countries and make a private calculation.

Why

If Ramadan begins while a person is in one country, fasting that day becomes obligatory for them, even if they travel that same day to another country where Ramadan has not yet been announced. After arriving, they should follow the ruling of the country they moved to. If that means fasting thirty-one days because the second country began later, they continue fasting with that country.

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4. What should be done if the new moon is not sighted on a clear or cloudy night?

  • Complete the previous month as thirty days. (correct answer)
  • Rely on astronomical data to begin Ramadan.
  • Begin Ramadan because the moon may exist astronomically.
  • Wait several extra days beyond thirty.

Why

The beginning and end of Ramadan are confirmed by sighting the new moon or completing the month as thirty days. Telescopes and similar tools may be used to help sight the moon, but astronomical calculations are not relied upon to confirm the start or end of Ramadan. If the moon is not sighted, the previous month is completed as thirty days.

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5. If someone sees the new moon during the day on the thirtieth day of Ramadan, what should they do?

  • Continue fasting until sunset. (correct answer)
  • Break the fast immediately.
  • Count that daytime sighting as proof that Eid already began.
  • Make up that day because the moon appeared during daylight.

Why

The majority of scholars and the established view of the four schools is that sighting the new moon during the day does not affect the rulings of fasting or ending the fast. What matters is sighting the new moon after sunset. Therefore, if a fasting person sees the moon during the thirtieth day of Ramadan, they continue fasting until sunset and do not break the fast because of that daytime sighting.

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6. What is the status of sighting the new moon of Ramadan according to the majority view cited?

  • It is a communal obligation. (correct answer)
  • It is forbidden for ordinary Muslims.
  • It is only a private recommendation with no community importance.
  • It is replaced by calculations whenever computers are available.

Why

The majority of scholars regarded sighting the new moon of Ramadan as a communal obligation, meaning that if enough Muslims do it, the duty is fulfilled for the community. Some jurists regarded it as recommended, but the source favours its strong communal importance because fasting, Hajj, and the dates of Eid are connected to moon sighting. Muslims should therefore strive to seek the new moon at the relevant times.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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