When the crescent is sighted anywhere on earth by at least one trustworthy Muslim it means that the whole Ummah has sighted it. The Prophet (SAW) said:
"When you see the hilaal, fast: and when you see it again, stop fasting. And if it is obscure to you, then compelete thirty days." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Based on this all members of the Ummah are required to observe the new month as soon as the information reaches them. A person who learns about the sighting of the moon in good time to be able to untilize it for fasting, or for ending his fast, must do so. The texts and the reports about the early scholars point to this. To limit this to a certain distance or country would contradict both the reason and the Shar' (Islamic Law). [Al-Fataawee, vol.25, p.107]
The beginning of an Islamic month may be determined only through naked-eye sighting of the new crescent. Note that using binoculars, telescopes, hot air ballons, etc. are demonstrations of excessiveness, none of which was practiced by our pious predecessors, and their use contradicts the simplicity of Islam.
Astronomical evidence may not be used to estabish moon sighting or to verify or revoke the sighting of trustworthy Muslims. The Messenger (SAW) said:
"We are an illiterate nation. We do not use astronomical writing or computation [in our fasting]. A month is so and so and so [and He pointed with his hands three times, folding the thumb on the third time, meaning twenty nine days] or so and so and so [and He pointed with His hand meaning thirty days]." (Al-Bukhaari and Muslim)
He (SAW) also said:
"Beware of (going to the extreme of) excessiveness in deen. Indeed, those before you were destroyed because of their excessiveness in deen." (Authentic, An-Nasaa'ee)
It is well substantiated that if the crescent is witnessed by a trustworthy Muslim, then the Sunnah is to accept his witness. Abu 'Umair bin Anas (RA) said on the authority of his paternal uncles, who were companions of the Prophet (SAW),
"Some men came riding to the Prophet (SAW) and testified that they had sighted the hilaal the previous day. He therefore commanded the people to break the fast and to go out to their place of prayer in the morning." (Authentic, Abu Dawud)
The majority of scholars say it does not matter if the 'new moon' has been sighted in a different location. It becomes" Fard" (obligatory) for all Muslims to begin fasting after the new moon has been sighted anywhere in the world. We ask Allah (SWT) to show us the truth, and to enable us to follow the Sunnah always. And let us be of those who say Al-hamdu li 'Llaahi rabbil 'aalameen, Ameen!
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