Is Sighting the Moon of Ramadan A Communal Obligation (Wajib-e-Kifaya)?
By Kaniz Fatma, New
Age Islam
13 April
2021
What Is The Opinion Of The Muslim Jurists And
Scholars About The Sighting The New Moon Of Ramadan
Main Points:
1.
It is Wajib Kifaya to see the new moon to
witness the Month of Ramadan
2.
Opinion of the Muslim jurists and
scholars about the sighting the new moon of Ramadan?
3.
If all the people dismiss this
obligation, then they will be declared sinful
4.
Transmitted proof (Naqali dalil) is
needed to declare the sighting of the new moon
----
Is it a
communal obligation (Wajib Kifaya) to
see the new moon to witness the Month of Ramadan?
Yes, it is
a communal obligation to see the new moon to witness the month of Ramadan. The
Muslims must try to sight the moon on the twenty-ninth day of Sha’ban. If they
see the moon, they should begin fasting from the next day. If the moon is not
visible to them on the twenty-ninth day of Sha’ban, they are to complete the
thirty days of Sha’ban and then begin fasting.
What is the
opinion of the Muslim jurists and scholars about the sighting the new moon of
Ramadan?
The
majority of scholars and jurists including Imam Abu Hanifa hold the view that
sighting the new moon on the evening of the twenty-ninth of Sha’ban or Ramadan
is a communal obligation (Wajib-e-Kifaya).
Wajib-e-Kifaya means, if all the
people dismiss this obligation, then they will be declared sinful, and if some
people do it, the rest will be relieved from it. They state that If the people
see the new moon, they are obligated to begin fasting, otherwise, they must
complete the month (as thirty days) and then start fasting. The rational reason
is given that something essential to the performance of an obligatory duty also
becomes obligatory. (See for details, Hidaya by Allama Marghinani)
What is the
transmitted proof (Naqali dalil) to
declare the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan a communal obligation?
The
transmitted basis of this obligation is the words of the Prophet (peace be upon
him),
“Commence fasting on seeing it (the moon) and
end fasting on seeing it. If the moon is not visible to you, complete the
period of Sha’ban of thirty days.”
Another
hadith reported by Hazrat Ibn Umar reads that Allah's Messenger (may peace be
upon him) made a mention of Ramadan and he with the gesture of his hand said:
The month is thus and thus. (He then withdrew
his thumb for the third time). He then said: Fast when you see it (the moon),
and break your fast when you see it, and if the weather is cloudy calculate it
(the months of Sha'ban and Shawwal) as thirty days. (Sahih Muslim Book 6,
Number 2364:)
Hazrat Abu
Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah
(peace be upon him) has said,
“Commence the fast when you see it (the moon)
and cease fasting (perform Eid) when you see it. But if the weather is cloudy,
complete thirty days of Sha’ban.” [Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 1, Page 256]
Conclusion
It is
hereby proved that sighting the new moon of Ramadan is a communal obligation on
Muslims. This means if some Muslims manage to see the new moon of Ramadan, the
rest will be relieved from this responsibility and will not be declared sinful.
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-q-a/is-sighting-moon-ramadan-communal/d/124688
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