13/2. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1081b — Complete Thirty When Cloudy
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 on Sighting the New Moon Hadith
Sahih Muslim : 1081b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1081b
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ سَلاَّمٍ الْجُمَحِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا الرَّبِيعُ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ مُسْلِمٍ - عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ زِيَادٍ - عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، - رضى الله عنه - أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " صُومُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ وَأَفْطِرُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ فَإِنْ غُمِّيَ عَلَيْكُمْ فَأَكْمِلُوا الْعَدَدَ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Observe fast on sighting it (the new moon) and break (fast) on sighting it (the new moon), but if the sky is cloudy for you, then complete the number (of thirty).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1081bIn-book reference : Book 13, Hadith 21USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 6, Hadith 2379
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1081b
This hadith says, “Observe fast on sighting it and break fast on sighting it.” The pronoun points to the new moon in the context of Ramadan and Shawwal. If the sky is cloudy, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said to complete the number of thirty. This Ramadan crescent sighting hadith is often searched by people who want to know what to do when the moon is not visible. The answer in the text is clear: do not leave the matter to guesswork when clouds cover the sky. Complete the count. The narration keeps the ruling simple, balanced, and easy for the community to follow.
What we learn from this hadith
- The new moon marks the start and end of the fast.
- Cloudy skies are handled by completing the number.
- The hadith gives a clear method instead of guesswork.
