Following Saudi moon-sighting announcements abroad

Question

السلامُ علیکم

I am Abdul Mustafa recently moved to Zahle, Lebanon. Hazrat basically i am from Bombay, just moved here five months ago, Ramzan Shareef is near and i am worrying about Moon Ruling because here also they are starting with Saudi. So what to do Hazrat

— Abdul Mustafa, Zahle, Lebanon

Answer

وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله

The announcement of the moon sighting made by the qāḍī in a city, is only upheld in the city the decision was made along with its suburbs. The announcement can only be applicable in another city if the testimony is transferred by proper shar`ī means. Muftī Sharīf al-Ḥaq, Allāh is pleased with him, writes:

مرکزی رویت ہلال کمیٹی یا قاضی القضاة کا اعلان جہاں سے وہ اعلان کر رہا ہے صرف اسی شہر اور اس کے ملحق دیہات کیلئے طریق موجب ہے۔ دوسرے شہر اور اس کے لواحق کیلئے نا کافی

“Whether it is the announcement of the national moon sighting committee or the chief Qādī, it is only enforceable in the city they are announcing from and its surrounding villages, it is insufficient for other cities or even bordering cities.”

[Barāhīn Ṣādiq]

The moon sighting announcement in Saudi Arabia is authorized and handled by the wahhābīyah, and therefore their testimony and announcement are invalid.

For such a region in which there is no ‘Islāmic governance, the most knowledgeable in Fiqh from the scholars of the region is to be appointed as the qāḍī (leader) of the community and is responsible of the affairs of that region such as the announcement of the new ‘Islāmic month. If there are no scholars, then the Muslims of that region will have to appoint someone who they believe is most deserving. ‘A`lā Ḥaḍrat ‘Imām ‘Aḥmad Riḍā Khān, Allāh is pleased with him, writes:

جہاں سلطنت اسلام نہیں وہاں امامتِ عامہ اس شہرکے اعلم علمائے دین کو ہے۔ جہاں یہ بھی نہ ہو وہاں بہ مجبوری عام مسلمان جسے مقرر کرلیں ...ان شہروں میں کہ سلطانِ اسلام موجود نہیں اور تمام ملك کا ایك عالم پر اتفاق دشوار ہے اعلم علمائے بلد کہ اس شہر کے سنّی عالموں میں سب سے زیادہ فقیہ ہو، نماز کے مثل مسلمانوں کے دینی کاموں میں ان کا امام عام ہے

“Wherever there is no ‘Islāmic governance, the general leadership will be for the most knowledgeable `Ālim (scholar) among the scholars of the religion. Where even this cannot be implemented, then out of necessity, whoever the general Muslim community has selected... in those cities where there is no ‘Islāmic leader and it is difficult for the entire country to agree upon one scholar, the most knowledgeable of the scholars in the city and the most expert in Fiqh among the Sunnī scholars will be their leader in all religious matters of the Muslims such as the affair of leading the ṣalāh.”

[Fatāwā Riḍawīyah, Vol. 6, Pg. 516, 517]

The appointed qāḍī must announce the start of Ramaḍān, as well as the other months, according to the principles of the Sharī`ah, and the people of the region must follow his announcement. No one besides the appointed leader has the authority to announce the commencement of the new month. However, if the majority has appointed a deviant or someone who makes decisions by means that are contrary to the sharī`ah, then his announcement is not implemented.

Hence, if someone sighted the moon in a region where there is no proper qāḍī, then he will act according to his sighting and gather the community to give them his testimony. Referring to Ramaḍān, it is stated in Bahār-e-Sharī`at:

گاؤں میں چاند دیکھا اور وہاں کوئی ایسا نہیں جس کے پاس گواہی دے تو گاؤں والوں کو جمع کر کے شہادت ادا کرے اور اگر یہ عادل ہے تو لوگوں پر روزہ رکھنا لازم ہے

“If one sighted the moon in a town, and there is no one there who he can testify in front of (a qāḍī), then he will gather the people of the town and give them his testimony, and if he is `ādil (trustworthy), then it is necessary for the people to fast.”

[Bahār-e-Sharī`at, Chānd Dekhne ka Bayān]

Therefore, if the one who sighted the moon is trustworthy, then the people of the town must accept his testimony and fast. Otherwise, they may complete the thirty days of Sha`bān, and Allāh knows best.

Faqīr Salmān al-Nūrī · (May he be forgiven) · Ramaḍān 10, 1445 AH

Verified by Muftī Zāhid Ḥussain al-Qādirī