Is it permissible to fast, with Saudi Arabia having sighted the crescent moon of Shawwal, while I am in Oman?
The majority of jurists hold that the differences in moonrise locations are not to be considered. Thus, if the sighting of the crescent is confirmed in any country, fasting becomes obligatory for all Muslims, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Fast when you see it (the crescent) and break your fast when you see it. If it is obscured from you, then complete the number of Sha'ban as thirty days." The Shafi'is and some Hanafis differed, allowing for variations in sighting between countries. The correct view is that of the majority, as long as the distances are not so vast that the two countries do not share any part of the night. As for Arab countries, especially the Gulf states, their moonrise locations are unified or very close; therefore, residents in these countries must fast based on the sighting by Muslims in any of these countries.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Original fatwa ID
- 44299
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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