The sighting of the Moon signifies the start & the end of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims across the world will soon begin scanning the night sky for the first glimpse of a crescent moon, heralding the start of Ramadan.
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In the Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan is preceded by the month of Shaban. The month of fasting & spirituality begins when Moon-sighting committees meet after sunset on Shaban 29, to look for a crescent moon.
A tradition that has run for thousands of years...
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Abu Hurayra reported Prophet Muhammed (ﷺ) as saying:
صُومُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ وَأَفْطِرُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ
“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).” (Muslim)
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Islam follows the lunar or Hijri calendar which is based on the phases of the moon cycle and has 354 days unlike the solar or Georgian calendar that the rest of the world follows. Hence, Ramadan is 10 or 11 days earlier every year.
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Prophet Muhammed ﷺ taught that when the new moon is observed we should say:
“O Allah, make the new moon shine on us with security, belief, safety and Islam! My Lord and your Lord is Allah. It is a new moon of guidance and good.” (Tirmidhi)
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The Muslim world typically looks to Saudi Arabia to decide the days on which major religious events fall, including the start of Ramadan. However, each country is required to independently verify these dates, through a committee of astronomers & Islamic advisers.
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Islam follows the lunar or Hijri calendar which is based on the phases of the moon cycle and has 354 days unlike the solar or Georgian calendar that the rest of the world follows. Hence, Ramadan is 10 or 11 days earlier every year.
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Prophet Muhammed ﷺ taught that when the new moon is observed we should say: