Is fasting Saturday valid despite the crescent moon of Ramadan not being sighted until Tuesday evening in Iraq?
Fasting depends on sighting the crescent moon or completing thirty days of Sha'ban, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Fast when you see it (the crescent) and break your fast when you see it. If it is obscured from you by clouds or darkness, then complete the number of Sha'ban."
Scholars have differed on two opinions regarding the necessity of fasting based on the sighting of the crescent moon in another country:
1. First Opinion: Fasting becomes obligatory upon the sighting of the crescent moon in any country. This is the of the Hanafis, Malikis, and Hanbalis, and one opinion among the Shafi'is.
2. Second Opinion (the preferred one): Fasting is only obligatory upon the sighting of the crescent moon in your own country or nearby countries that share the same moonrise horizons. This is the sound opinion among the Shafi'is and some Hanafis. They cite as evidence the of Kurayb, where Ibn Abbas did not act upon the sighting of the people of Sham (Syria).
Based on this, if the crescent moon was sighted in Iraq or nearby countries on Friday night, then your fasting is valid. Otherwise, it is obligatory to complete thirty days of Sha'ban before fasting.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy