THE VISIBILITY OF THE MOON AND THE TESTIMONY OF ITS VISIBILITY

  1. According to the Shariah, there are two ways of establishing the visibility of the moon:

    1. by authentic (trustworthy) testimony

    2. by the expiration of 30 days of the current month.

In the event that no testimony is received or the testimony received is not accepted, the next month will automatically begin after the expiration of the 30th day of the current month.

  1. The testimony that is accepted concerning the visibility of the moon, especially that of Eid-ul-Fitr is that which emanates from persons worthy of faith. According to the Shariah, a person worthy of faith is one who does not commit major sins, unworthy deeds, and avoids minor sins. Therefore, the testimony of a person who is not "Deendaar" and one who neglects his Deen is not accepted. For example, a person who does not perform Salah, or who does not perform it regularly, does not fast, abandons Zakaat, consumes alcoholic beverages, presents himself in front of other people in shorts, does not keep a beard, spends his time playing dominoes, cards, watching television or listening to songs, among other things, is not trustworthy.

  2. When the weather is good and the sky is clear, the visibility of the moon will be established by a fairly considerable number of people. However, there are no specific numbers as to the validity of the testimony. It depends on the discretion of the person in charge, who could be a Qaazi, a Mufti or an Aa'lim.

There are times when, depending on certain criteria, the testimony of a small number is convincing. On the other hand, a relatively higher number may, in some cases, not be convincing. It is similar to the testimony - testimony that can be rejected - of only five or ten people about an event that took place in a place where there are normally thousands of people. On the other hand, the testimony of two or three people on an event that occurred in an isolated location may weigh heavier.

  1. Testimony from across the country regarding the visibility of the moon when the weather is clear will be accepted.

  2. When the weather is dark and cloudy, the testimony of a pious, reliable and trustworthy person, male or female, is sufficient to establish the visibility of the moon of Ramadhan.

As for the moon of Eid-ul-Fitr, the testimony of two pious and trustworthy men, or of at least one man and two women with the qualities mentioned above, is essential. On the other hand, the testimony of even four women without the presence of a man is not valid.

  1. A person who has seen the moon of Ramadhan and whose testimony has been rejected for some reason must begin the fast (Roza) of Ramadhan.

  2. A person should not celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr alone. A person whose testimony was rejected after seeing the moon begins fasting one day before the others. Finally, when this person reaches his 30th day of fasting, the others are on the 29th day of fasting. In this case, if the moon of Eid-ul-Fitr is not visible, that person should continue to fast like everyone else. This would actually be a 31st day of fasting for him.

  3. A person who has seen the moon of Eid-ul-Fitr and whose testimony was rejected is not entitled to break the fast. He must continue to fast like everyone else. 

  4. If it happens that the visibility of the moon of 'Eid-ul-Fitr is established after 28 days of fasting (Roza) in a place, the people concerned must necessarily replace a day of fasting after Eid-ul-Fitr because an Islamic month consists of 29 or 30 days.

  5.  If the visibility of the moon of Ramadhan has been established by the testimony of two reliable persons on a cloudy day, and the moon of Eid-ul-Fitr is not visible after 30 days of fasting, one has the right in this case to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr even if one has not seen the moon.

Note: Muslims should look for the moon of Ramadhan Sharif after the 29th Sha'baan.

It is narrated by Al-Ghifari (Radiyallahu anhu): "I heard the Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) say these words: If men knew what Ramadan is, my whole community would have wished that the whole year would be Ramadhan." (Hadith narrated by Ibn Khuzaimah)

[English version of "La visibilité de la lune et le témoignage de sa visibilité" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 6]