Question:
Asalamo aliakum, I know this question has been asked multiple times but I couldn’t find one answer related to my question. We have five masjids here. All of them celebrated Eid based on either calculations or global moon sighting fatwa. We follow the Sunnah and only celebrate Eid when there is moon sighting. My question is what should we do as there is no masjid as close as 70 miles of our house who Follow CHC or moon sighting? We know that roza is farz and eid namaaz is wajib? Should we celebrate Eid with them here or fast and don’t pray Eid salah? Jzk
Answer:
In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
The commencement of the month should be based on the sighting of the crescent. This is understood from the following hadith:
عن أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضى الله عنه أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: “صُومُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ وَأَفْطِرُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ فَإِنْ غُمِّيَ عَلَيْكُمْ فَأَكْمِلُوا الْعَدَدَ” (مسلم: 1081)
Translation: Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) as saying:“Observe fast on sighting it (the new moon) and break (fast) on sighting it (the new moon), but if the sky is cloudy for you, then complete the number (of thirty).” (Muslim :1081)
Attached is the opinion of Hadhrat Mufti Taqi Uthmani Saheb Madda Zilluhu who also adopts the principle position of local moonsighting. However, he also states that in view of the issue being Ijtihadi(having a scope for academic differences), if there is fear of confusion and disunity, then there is a leeway (Gunjaish) to follow Saudi moonsighting if the general public follows Saudi moonsighting.
Accordingly, if in your situation, the general public follow global moonsighting, you may follow that. It is also advisable to exercise precaution and make up for one days fast if Ramadhan is 29 days and elsewhere is 30 days based on local moonsighting.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Hammad Ibn Ismail Jogiat
Student - Darul Iftaa
Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
I have consulted some senior and leading Muftis on the issue in reference before adopting this position.
