13/2. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1080f — Fast When You See the Moon
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.
Fast When You See the New Moon Hadith
Sahih Muslim : 1080f
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1080f
وَحَدَّثَنِي حُمَيْدُ بْنُ مَسْعَدَةَ الْبَاهِلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا بِشْرُ بْنُ الْمُفَضَّلِ، حَدَّثَنَا سَلَمَةُ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ عَلْقَمَةَ - عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ، - رضى الله عنهما - قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " الشَّهْرُ تِسْعٌ وَعِشْرُونَ فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمُ الْهِلاَلَ فَصُومُوا وَإِذَا رَأَيْتُمُوهُ فَأَفْطِرُوا فَإِنْ غُمَّ عَلَيْكُمْ فَاقْدِرُوا لَهُ " .
Abdullah b. 'Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: The month (of Ramadan) may consist of twenty nine days; so when you see the new moon observe fast and when you see (the new moon again at the commencement of the month of Shawwal) then break It, and if the sky is cloudy for you, then calculate it (and complete thirty days).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1080fIn-book reference : Book 13, Hadith 9USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 6, Hadith 2368
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1080f
This fast when you see the new moon Hadith gives a direct instruction from the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم. Abdullah b. Umar reported that the month may consist of twenty-nine days. So when the new moon is seen, people should observe fast. When it is seen again at the beginning of Shawwal, they should break the fast. If the sky is cloudy, then they should calculate it and complete thirty days, as explained in the translation. The Hadith is clear about using the crescent as the sign. It also explains what to do when clouds stop the sighting. Its focus is the timing of Ramadan fasting and ending the fast.
What we learn from this hadith
- The month may be twenty-nine days.
- Fasting begins when the new moon is seen.
- The fast ends when the new moon is seen again.
- If the sky is cloudy, the narration mentions completing thirty days.
