13/2. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1080a — Ramadan Moon Sighting
The obligation to fast Ramadan when the crescent is sighted, and to break the fast when the crescent is sighted, and that if it is cloudy at the beginning or end of the month, then the month should be completed as thirty days.
Hadith About Ramadan Moon Sighting
Sahih Muslim : 1080a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1080a
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، - رضى الله عنهما - عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ ذَكَرَ رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ " لاَ تَصُومُوا حَتَّى تَرَوُا الْهِلاَلَ وَلاَ تُفْطِرُوا حَتَّى تَرَوْهُ فَإِنْ أُغْمِيَ عَلَيْكُمْ فَاقْدِرُوا لَهُ " .
Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying in connection with Ramadan: Do not fast till you see the new moon, and do not break fast till you see it; but if the weather is cloudy calculate about it.
[1] The Arabic words are: (عليهما) which lit. Means may Allâh be pleased with both of them; Meaning In Arabic language plural form are of two kinds (1) when they are (2) and more than two. Here the expression is used for both 'Umar and his son both of them being Companions.Reference : Sahih Muslim 1080aIn-book reference : Book 13, Hadith 4USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 6, Hadith 2363
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1080a
This Hadith about Ramadan moon sighting gives a clear rule connected with starting and ending the fast. Ibn Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم mentioned Ramadan and said not to fast until the new moon is seen, and not to break the fast until it is seen. If the weather is cloudy, then people should calculate about it. The Hadith focuses on sighting the crescent. It connects the start of Ramadan and the end of Ramadan with the new moon. The text does not go into modern calendars or other methods. Its direct wording is about seeing the crescent and calculating when clouds prevent sighting.
What we learn from this hadith
- Ramadan fasting is linked to sighting the new moon.
- Ending Ramadan is also linked to sighting the new moon.
- Cloudy weather is treated as a special case in the Hadith.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم gave a clear instruction about when to fast and when to stop.
