7 June 2015: Fasting, Ramadhan and moonsighting

7 June 2015:

Fasting, Ramadhan and moonsighting

Summary: 

Sawm linguistically means refraining, silence, suspension Shariah terminology means refraining from those things that break the fast and they are: food, drink, sexual relations, excess water through mouth/nose and vomiting, with the intention of getting closer to Allah from Fajr of a day until its Maghrib. It is necessary to make the intention every night as fasting every day is an independent act of Ibadah Purpose of fasting is mainly for us to ‘learn piety and righteousness’
The rewards for fasting are huge and huge!
Whoever intentionally breaks a day of fasting in Ramadhan without a rukhsah (shariah permission) commits a major sin Fasting is not obliged on the young until they have become mature (buloogh). Parents can train them from any age. It is recommended to make Iftar with fresh dates or dry dates or to take mouthfuls of water. Maghrib Prayer is after the Iftar (breaking fast).
There is Qadaa (making up) of fasting for the Mareed (sick) and Musaafir (traveller) Fasting is broken by:
- Breaking of the Niyah of the fast
- Eating and drinking intentionally
- Vomiting intentionally 
- Menstruation and post Childbirth bleeding
- Sexual relations 
Eating and Drinking: the entering of something into the throat and its swallowing, i.e. its entering into the Gullet/Oesophagus breaks the fast without any stipulation that it reaches the stomach or lungs or has nutritional value
- Hence fast also broken by smoking or inhaling tobacco, purposely inhaling steam or smoke, taking inhalers or sniffing smelling salts, oral vaccines
- Some medical applications are allowed, such as: scope or surgical wound (as long as it avoids intestines and lungs), EEG, ECG, CT scan, X-rays, external examinations, skin vaccines, needles for blood, dialysis, bleeding, carefully using miswak or toothpaste

Fasting is related to food and water abstinence, but all Muslims should check all their actions (no lying, stealing, backbiting, swearing etc)
Ramadhan is a great opportunity for us to get closer to Allah and the Quran.

If a Muslim country announces that the sighting of a new moon has been confirmed according to the lawful way - for the beginning of Ramadhan or for the day of Eid – then you have to fast or celebrate It is forbidden to wait for a ruler or scholar in your part of the world to give you permission to fast or celebrate.


Fasting

* Sawm linguistically means refraining, silence, suspension. 
Shariah terminology means refraining from those things that break the fast and they are: food, drink, sexual relations, excess water through mouth/nose and vomiting, with the intention of getting closer to Allah from Fajr of a day until its Maghrib.
* Niyah (intention) needs to be made every night as fasting every day is an independent act of Ibadah. *Whoever intentionally breaks a day of fasting in Ramadhan without a rukhsah (shariah permission) commits a major sin. 
* Fasting is not obliged on the young until they have become mature (buloogh). Parents can train them from any age. 
* Maghrib Prayer is after the Iftar (breaking fast)
* It is obligatory upon the sick person (Mareed) and traveller (Musaafir) to make Qadaa for what he has missed of the obligatory fasting. “O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon” [Observing Saum (fasts)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskîn (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, is better for you if only you know. [TMQ 2:183-184] 
Fasting is broken by: 
- Breaking of the Niyah of the fast 
- Eating and drinking intentionally (see below) 
- Menstruation and post Childbirth bleeding
- Sexual relations 
- Vomiting intentionally - Ibn ‘Umar said: “Whoever is overcome by vomiting there is no Qadaa for him, and the one who makes himself sick must make Qadaa”. Ibn ‘Abbaas said that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “There are three which do not break the fast of the one fasting: Vomiting, cupping and wet dreams”.

Meaning of Fasting Sawm linguistically means refraining, silence, suspension and what is included in its meanings. Sawm has been mentioned with this meaning in Allah’s (swt) noble book. Allah (swt) says: “So eat and drink and be glad. And if you see any human being, say: ‘Verily, I have vowed a fast unto the Most Gracious so I shall not speak to any human being this day” (Surah Maryam Ayah 26) 

As for As Sawm in the shariah terminology, it is refraining from those things that break the fast and they are: food, drink, sexual relations, excess water through mouth/nose and vomiting, with the intention of getting closer to Allah (swt) from Fajr of a day until its Maghrib. This Shariah meaning of fasting has been mentioned in numerous noble ayaat and there is no need to bring them up here as they are well known amongst people who are knowledgeable of them.

The Intention of the Fast 
It is necessary to make the intention every night as fasting every day is an independent act of Ibadah from what was before or after it. The Iftar separates every fast from the other at night and as long as every day is an independent act of Ibadah then it is necessary to have an intention for each act to make it legitimate. This understanding is by way of understanding the reality (min baab tahqeeq al manaat).


Focusing on the purpose of Ramadhan 
Sometimes when asked about why Muslims fast we are presented with a whole range of reasons to explain the purpose of fasting. From we want to feel how the poor feel, this is equivalent to the Christian lent but more concentrated or it’s good to balance the diet for the body, none of these address the objective of Ramadhan. Allah says in the Qur’an: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn piety and righteousness” [TMQ 2:183]. Hence we need to achieve Taqwa in this month and ensure this is what we strive for.

In many ayaats of the Quran, Allah (swt) addresses mankind with remembering the meaning of life. “Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?” (Al-Mumenoon, Chapter 23, Verse 115) “And the life of this world is nothing but play and amusement. But far better is the house in the Hereafter for those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious). Will you not then understand?” (Al-Anaam, Chapter 6, Verse 32) Allah (swt) says: “Say: “Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds”                                

The Obligation of Fasting: 
"O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you…", (2:183) 

The Reward for Fasting: The only one who knows about the reward is Allah (swt). "Every act taken by the son of Adam is done for him except fasting, it is for me and I make the reward", (Bukhari) The Prophet* said “The reward of every good deed is multiplied ten up to seven-hundred times, except that of the Fasting; it is usually done in sincerity and will be multiplied by as many times as Allah wills.“ Abu Said al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allah, said: “No servant fasts on a day in the path of Allah except that Allah removes the hellfire seventy years further away from his face.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

Fasting stops the Muslim from Sinning: "Fasting is a shield. Thus while fasting you must not use foul language or act like those of ignorance (screaming, attacking others, etc), or speak loudly". (Bukhari) The Messenger of Allah* said “Whosoever does not stop saying and acting upon falsehood, Allah is in no need for them to abandon their food.” [Bukhari]

Understanding the nature of the fast 
Imam al-Ghazali in his Book of Forty Principles from the Foundations of Religion explains that Fasting has been singled out for two main reasons: 
1. Its essence is that it is a personal abstinence, and such is a hidden action that no one but God can see, unlike the prayer, the zakah, or other (acts of worship). 
2. It is a grief for, and subdual of, the enemy of God. Shaytan is the enemy, and the enemy cannot gain strength except through the medium of the passions. Hunger breaks all the passions that are the tool of Shaytan. 
For this reason, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said “Verily Shaytan runs in the Son of Adam like blood. Therefore, constrain the passageways of Shaytan with hunger” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Perform the Good Deeds promptly:
The Messenger of Allah* addressed his companions on the last day of Sha`ban, saying: “Oh people! A great month has come over you; a blessed month; a month in which is a night better than a thousand months; month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary to pray by night. Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is heaven. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer’s sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the fire of hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all.” [Ibn Khuzaimah]

Increase your Ibadaat:
Abu Hurairah said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah* say, ‘the one who does qiyam (staying up the night in remembrance of Allah) in Ramadhan with faith and sincerity, all his sins will be forgiven.’“

“Verily! We have sent it down in the night of Alqadr. And what will make you know what the night of Al-qadr is. The night of Al-qadr is better than a thousand months” [TMQ: Al- Qadr: 1-3]

Make Dua for forgiveness:
Repent to Allah (swt) by reciting the Prophetic du’a, conveyed to us by the Mother of the Believers, Umm al-Mumineen Aaisha (ra): “Allahumma innaka ’afuwan karimun tuhibbul ’afuwa fa-’af’anni” = “O Allah! Thou art, indeed, the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful, and to forgive is most pleasing to Thee; so, forgive me my sins” [Imam Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]

The smell of the Fasting persons mouth:
"By the one who has my soul in his hands, the smell of the mouth of the fasting person is better for Allah than the smell of musk". [Bukhari] 

Special Gate in Al-Jannah for those who Fast: 
" There is a gate in Al-Jannah called Ar-Rayyan which those who fast enter from on the day of judgment. And no one else enters from it. Once they enter from it, it is closed, and nobody else enters from it." (Bukhari) 

Due to Fasting Previous Sins Are Forgiven: 
"Whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan purely because of his faith and sincerity all of his/her previous sins will be forgiven." and "Whosoever does not saying and acting upon falsehood, Allah is in no need for him/her to abandon his/her food " (Bukhari). 

The Intention is A Requirement for Fasting: 
The person who wants to fast must have the pure intention for doing that action only to please Allah (swt). The intention need not be said by the tongue, for the intention is act of the heart. Moreover, the intention must be settled in the heart before Fajr. 

There Is Blessing in suhur: 
 "have Suhur, for in suhur there is blessing. " (Muslim) 

The Best Things To Keep Us Busy In Ramadan: 
The fasting Muslim should not curse, use foul language, harm people , talk nonsense, etc. Thus, the best the fasting person should keep him/herself busy with is the remembrance of Allah (Dhikr), attend sessions of knowledge, read Quran, and spend in the path of Allah, etc. 

If Someone Eats Or Drinks, Forgetfully
Then he/she Completes The Day Of Fasting: 
"If he forgets and eats and drinks, then he should complete his fast. It was Allah who fed him and gave him the drink." (Bukhari). 

If deliberately broken the fast, Muslim needs to: 
- Free a slave 
- fast two months consecutively
- feed sixty poor people 

Permission To Break Fast In Travelling and Sickness: 
Allah (swt) permitted us to break fast in travelling and in sickness on the condition that we make it up later on. "And for those who are sick or travelling, then (the prescribed period should be made up) other days."

It is only the sickness, that fasting will delay its recovery or worsen it, that permits the person to break the fast. But, the one that is not affected by the fast is not a legitimate excuse. 
Travel depends upon the distance travelled – often taken as 48 miles. 

The Elderly and the Incurable sick: 
do not have to make up the days that they have missed, for they are unable to do so but have to feed one poor person as (Bukhari)

The fasting of Children and Teaching Them Manners: 
Only those who are above the age of puberty and sane are addressed by Shari’ah. "Order your children to pray when they are seven years of age, beat them for it when they are ten years of age, and separate them in their beds".(Abu Daud). Also Bukhari narrates "We used to make our children fast and make their toys out of wool. If any of them cried because of hunger, we would give them toy till the time to breakfast". There is no sin if the children break the fast for them or the parents. 

What is recommended for the Saa’im to break his fast with: 
Recommended to make Iftar with Rutub (fresh, moist, ripe dates), if not then Tamr (dry dates); else to take mouthfuls of water then eat what they wish. 
The texts do not come with a ta’leel (legal reasoning) for this order except for what came in the first Hadith that we will shortly mention that says that water is pure. As such it is not correct for people to delve into the reasons for choosing Rutub (wet dates) firstly, Tamr (dry dates) secondly and Maa (water) thirdly. We follow this in worship and obedience and it is incorrect to reason that Tamr should come first because they contain a plentiful quantity of sugar and that is what the Saa’im loses most of and a text has mentioned that the body should be compensated for what it has lost. Or the reasoning that the date is digested quickly, and it gives the nutrients that the fasting person needs and other reasons of the like that researches have suggested. None of these attempts bring anything in terms of advancement or decline in relation to this issue and if the upright Shar’a wanted to give a reason it would have done so and if it was silent on providing a reason then we must also be silent. 
Salmaan ibn ‘Aamir said: The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “If one of you is fasting then he should make Iftar with tamr and if he can’t find any then water, because water is pure”. 
Anas said: “I never once saw the Messenger of Allah pray before breaking his fast and even if it was just a drink of water”. These three Hadith indicate that it is the Sunnah of Iftar to hasten it and that it comes before the Salaah of Maghrib so the Saa’im does not pray until after he has taken his Iftar.

Time to break fast:
 Is at Maghrib when the adhaan happens and not to wait until after prayer or to delay. 

Salatul-Taraweh:
Abu Huraira said, "I heard the messenger of Allah (saw) say, "The one who does qiam in Ramadan with faith and sincerity, all his/her sins will be forgiven".

The sin of the one that breaks his fast in Ramadhan without an excuse:
Fasting in Ramadhan is a pillar from the five pillars of Islam, so it is one of the five great pillars. As such the one who neglects this pillar or falls short in its performance is worthy of a painful punishment in the hereafter in addition to the punishment that he should receive in this life from the punishments imposed by the Khilafah state. Here is a collection of ahadith and reports (aathaar) that warn against breaking fast in Ramadhan:
Abi Umaamah said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) saying: “Whilst I was asleep two men came with me and took me by my arm... He said: Then we saw a people hanging by their tendons, the corners of their mouths were cracked and blooded was flowing from them. I asked: Who are these people? They said: Those are the people who broke their fasts before its time...” 
Ibn Mas’ood said: “Whoever breaks a day of fasting in Ramadhan without a rukhsah (shariah permission) he will meet Allah with it and even if he fasts the entire time after that, if Allah wills he will be forgiven and if he wills he will be punished”. 
Abu Hurairah: “A man broke his fast in the day of Ramadhan so Abu Hurairah said: The fast of a year will not be accepted from him”. Ibn Hazm: “Whoever (unlawfully) breaks a fast of Ramadhan then no day from the days of the dunya can make up for it”. Therefore the hadith provide a clear indication and meaning of the great sin attributed to the one who breaks just one fast in the month of Ramadhan.

The Fasting of the young:
The majority hold the view that the fasting of those who have not yet reached the age of maturity (baaligh) to be not obligatory. The takaaleef Ash-Shariah (i.e. the responsibility and obligation to abide by the shariah and accountability) is established on the shart (condition) of buloogh (maturity). If he is mature then he is Mukallaf (responsible and accountable) and if he is not mature then he is not legally responsible. Therefore when the Shar’a has ordered someone below the age of Buloogh to perform an action or has ordered the Wali al-Amr (guardian) of the child to order him to fulfil an action, then in this case it is for the purpose of training and preparing only. 
It is not obligatory at all for the young to perform it even if he and his Wali al-Amr are rewarded for undertaking the actions and this therefore applies to the case of fasting. The Wali al-Amr orders his child to fast and encourages him but to the point where this encouragement does not lead to Ikraah and Ijbaar (compulsion and forcing).
If the boy/girl acts in accordance to this then there is a blessing in it and if he/she refuses then there is no sin on them or the Wali al-Amr. As for when the child should be asked to fast the Shar’a has not specified a specific age like it did in the case of As-Salaah. 
It is not correct to make qiyaas (analogy) in Ibadah so the Siyaam cannot be analogised with Salaah. The age therefore remains general and not specified and absolute and not restricted. The matter rests with the view of the Awliya-Al- Amr (guardian) in relation to the strength, health and physical ability of their children to undertake the fast. 


Eating and Drinking: 
The entering of something into the throat and its swallowing, i.e. its entering into the Gullet/Oesophagus breaks the fast without any stipulation that it reaches the stomach or lungs 
- Hence fast also broken by smoking or inhaling tobacco, purposely inhaling steam or smoke, taking inhalers or sniffing smelling salts, oral vaccines 
- Some medical applications are allowed, such as: scope or surgical wound (as long as it avoids intestines and lungs), EEG, ECG, CT scan, X-rays, external examinations, skin vaccines, needles for blood, dialysis, bleeding, carefully using miswak or toothpaste 

The descent of anything into the Gullet breaks the fast and this is obliged by the language because language dictates that whoever swallows a solid entity has eaten or if it is liquid has had something to drink. So the descending of anything into the Gullet is considered eating or drinking and eating and drinking are breakers of the fast, so if anything is swallowed the fast is broken - whether it is nutritious or not like a pebble or handful of dirt with no difference to whether it enters as a solid unit or as powder ingested with saliva or in a form of material that is in the air and turns into a sensed (congealed) form once inside. This includes: - As-Su’oot, It is a type of Tobacco that is crushed, sniffed and it enters into the lungs. - The smoking of Tobacco and the smoke of incense - Steam from water or medicine - Inhaler


However if any of this happened against the will of the person then it does not break the fast because Allah does not bring to account the action of the man which was against his will so whoever sits next to a smoker or burning incense sticks and something entered into his chest unintentionally and not wilfully then he remains fasting and has not broken it. Also if the weather situation and humidity meant that there were water particles in the air or in a bathroom dues to steam from hot water and the one fasting breathes this in without any desire to do so, intention or wish, then he has not broken his fast. Similar to this is the dust/sand in the air which occurs in cyclones and storms so if any of this is breathed in it does not break the fast and nothing breaks the fast except for what enters with somebody’s own will and intention.

The Qadaa of Fasting:  
The Qadaa of the obligatory fast: This relates to and includes the sick, traveller, menstruating and child birth bleeding woman, the one who vomits intentionally, the one who breaks his fast early thinking wrongly that the time had arrived, the one who lost his mind, consciousness but awoke from the state in the day time of Ramadhan, the pregnant and breast feeding woman if they fear for themselves or child, the boy and the disbeliever if they become Mukallif (legally responsible) in the day of Ramadhan.

The Qadaa of fasting for the Mareed (sick) and Musaafir (traveller): It is obligatory upon the sick person and traveller to make Qadaa for what he has missed of the obligatory fasting. This is a Hukm (ruling) that is agreed upon and no Faqeeh has opposed it. Its evidence is the speech of Allah (swt): “O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon”  [Observing Saum (fasts)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskîn (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, is better for you if only you know. (2:183-184) His (swt) statement: “...if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days...” means that the sick or travelling person must make up for fasts that are missed in other days (i.e. after Ramadhan).

Some Actions that do not break the fast 
Smells:
As for what can enter the Gullet but does not have a material sensed form such as perfume and other smells whether they are pure or dislikeable they do not break the fast and enter through the sense of smell without intention or purpose. Anas Bin Maalik that he said: “The Messenger of Allah* was asked: Can the fasting person kiss? He replied: And what is wrong with that, (It’s like) the smelling of a flower”. Al-Qublah and Al-Mubaasharah (The kiss and fondling) - ‘Aa’isha said: “The Messenger of Allah* would kiss me whilst we were both fasting”. And also from ‘Aa’isha that she said: “The Messenger of Allah* used to kiss some of his wives whilst he was fasting and then she laughed”. 

Al-hujaamah (Bloodletting) 
is the splitting/opening of the skin in the head with a tool called a Mihjam or Mihjamah followed by the Haajim (one performing al-Hujaamah) extracting the blood from the opening when there is an abundance of blood in the body. The process of donating blood in our present time is in reality the extraction of blood from the body and where the extraction of blood is permissible and does not break the fast we therefore can say that donating blood also does not break the fast. That the wound and what accompanies it ordinarily of external bleeding whether this has resulted from fighting in the way of Allah, from a car accident, or a shooting at a wedding or argument, or falling from a high place or any other situation or circumstance all of this does not break the fast. That the process of dialysis which is the extraction of the blood from the body in a purifying process and then the returning of this purified blood into the body, does not break the fast. The extraction of blood with a needle in order for it to be examined in a laboratory is permitted and does not break the fast. The needle of a doctor does not at all break the fast whether it is for medical treatment, to give nutrients/supplements, blood or anaesthesia and whether it is in the veins. 
This is all as long as no substances or medicines enter directly into the respiratory and digestives systems and their organs. 

Caution: As for what a person with a heart illness or has suffered a stroke places under his tongue of pills which melt gradually as a remedy when the condition is intensified, then this breaks the fast if this forms a residue that could be swallowed. If it is entirely absorbed into the blood then it could be permissible providing none enters the gullet. 

As-Siwaak (miswak): 
Aamir Bin Rabee’a said: “I saw the Messenger of Allah (saw) performing Siwaak whilst he was fasting, (so many times that it could not be counted)” The entering of any material in the mouth does not break the fast except if a material or substance that is emitted or comes off it is swallowed and it was possible to guard from it. However if it was not possible to guard from it, like a very small insignificant amount then there is no problem with this (i.e. it does not break the fast). So established on this principle it is permissible to TASTE FOOD and the placing of a THERMOMETER in the mouth is also allowed. Also that toothpaste or dentistry work is allowed and does not break the fast as long as nothing reaches the throat of substances or materials and is swallowed.



Islamic Opinion on Moonsighting

Although moon-sighting is a controversial topic, it is one we need to periodically revisit. This is not having a go at anybody or group but to clarify the position as many people will be sinning if missing out on a day of fasting or fasting during Eid. There is individual responsibility and just blaming the local imam or mosque is not a sufficient excuse as everyone bears their own responsibility for doing the right thing. Many of the excuses try to look for loopholes in Islam when justifying what they WANT to do rather than following the strongest legal opinion. Most other excuses no do even classify as legal opinions (ijtehad) and so are not allowed to be followed. We talked about this when we studied Usul al-Fiqh! Some people will not like what is written but we need to discuss these Fiqh topics on the basis of Qur'an and Sunnah (evidence - 'daleel') and not emotion.

All Muslims are obliged to start Ramadhan or celebrate Eid on the same day… 

No matter where the moon is sighted If a Muslim country announces that the sighting of a new moon has been confirmed according to the lawful way - for the beginning of Ramadhan or for the day of Eid – then you have to fast or celebrate 

It is forbidden to wait for a ruler or scholar in your part of the world to give you permission to fast or celebrate because this is what Allah* and the Prophet* ordered.

To prove this is the case we have to look at… 
* The Quran 
* The Sunnah 

What we can’t look at to prove things are Islamic are …
* Our emotions 
* What people think 
* What most people are doing 
* What is normal is our community 
* What the tradition is. 

Remember what Ibn Masud said: "The jama'a is truth [haq] even if it is one person". 

The Qur’an says…"Whoever witnesses the crescent of the month, he must fast the month." [2:185], and "They ask you about the crescents. Say: They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time in the affairs of men and for pilgrimage." [2:189] 

The Prophet* mentioned Ramadhan and with a gesture of his hands said: "The month is thus and thus. (He then withdrew His thumb at the third time indicating 29)." He then said: "Fast when you see it, and break your fast when you see it. And if the weather is cloudy do calculate it (the months of Shaban and Shawwal) as thirty days." [Muslim] 
He also said; "Do not fast till you see the new moon, and do not break fast till you see it; but if the weather is cloudy complete it (thirty days)." [Bukhari] 
"The month consists of 29 nights, so do not fast till you have sighted it (the new moon), and if the weather were cloudy, then complete it as thirty days." [Bukhari] 
"The month of Ramadhan may consist of twenty-nine days. So do not fast until you have sighted it (the new moon) and do not break fast, until you have sighted it (the new moon of Shawwal), and if the sky is cloudy for you, then complete it (thirty days)." [Muslim]
"The month of Ramadhan may consist of twenty-nine days; so when you see the new moon observe fast and when you see (the new moon again of Shawwal) then break it. And if the sky is cloudy for you, then calculate it (and complete thirty days)." [Muslim] 

These narrations are very clear. The Qur’an and the Prophet* order us to fast when the sighting of the new moon of Ramadhan is confirmed, and order us to break the fast and celebrate Eid when the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal is confirmed. We have to follow these orders of the Quran and the Prophet*. We would be sinful if we didn’t. Just like we would be sinful if we didn’t listen to the Quran and Prophet* for another order like praying salah. 

The command to fast is general so it applies to everyone – no matter where they live 

When the Qur’an and Prophet* order us to fast or celebrate Eid – they are ordering every Muslim – everywhere in the world. In the hadith, the Prophet* commands us to fast using the word ‘sumu’- ‘do fast’. This word is in the plural form which means the command is general and comprehensive. This means that it applies to all Muslims, no matter where they live. "Do fast [sumuw] when it is sighted and break fast when it is sighted."
In the hadith, the Prophet* commands us to fast using the word ‘ruyateh’ – ‘sighting’. This word is general. 

This means that Muslims have to fast after any legitimate sighting of the moon regardless of where the moon was sighted. "Do fast when it is sighted [ru’yateh] and break fast when it is sighted." Even the Prophet* used to begin fasting when he had not personally seen the moon, but a Muslim had told him that he had seen it. Ibn Umar (r) reported, "During the time of the Prophet*, the companions went looking for the new crescent. So I told the Prophet* that I saw it. So he fasted and told the companions to fast." [Abu Dawud and Hakim] 
So if the moon was sighted in Morocco the Muslims in Indonesia still need to fast. During the life of the Prophet* the Muslims used to start the fast on the same day and break it on the same day, despite the fact that they lived in different areas. This is another Islamic evidence that the sighting of the new moon in one area obliges all the Muslims to fast together on the same day and celebrate Eid on the same day.

Abu Dawud: The Muslims did not begin fasting since they did not see the moon. Then a man, from out of Madinah, came and told the Prophet* that he had seen it (the moon). The Prophet* asked him if he was a Muslim to which the man answered ‘yes’. The Prophet* then said: "Allahu-Akbar! one is enough for all Muslims" The Prophet* fasted and asked the people to stop eating and start fasting

What If The News Reaches Us Too Late To Fast On The Same Morning? 

This has also been answered in the ahadith. It is also reported in an authentic hadith: Abu ‘Umayr ibn Anas reported from his paternal uncles among the Ansaar who said: "It was cloudy and we could not see the new moon of Shawwaal, so we started the day fasting, then a caravan came at the end of the day and told the Messenger* that they had seen the new moon of Shawwaal the day before, so he told the people to stop fasting, and they went out to pray the Eid prayer the next day."

Why can’t we use calculations?

Calculating the times when the new moon for Ramadhan and Eid - can’t replace an actual sighting of the new moon with the human eye. The reason for this is that the narrations which mention when to start fasting and end fasting mention seeing the moon with the eyes themselves.

What role can calculation play? 
Calculations can help us know around what time the new moon will be born and therefore the right time to start looking out for the new moon. What role can’t calculation play? Governments who use these calculations instead of the sighting, their actions contradict the Qur’an and hadith. Therefore their actions are haram/unlawful and the Muslims are forbidden from relying on their announcements. 
All the narrations about the sighting of the moon use the word "ru'yatehe" which comes from the word "ra'a" to refer to the sighting. The moon is a single, physical, object. This is why the narrations which use the word ‘ru’yatehe’ refer to the moon, mean to see the moon with the eyes.

The disease of nationalism
The disease of nationalism has affected us. Why is it people follow only the sighting in their nation? Who has created the borders between these nations? Why is it that in Delhi, people will follow the sighting in any other part of India but not of Pakistan when it is geographically closer than many parts within India itself like Kerala or Tamil Nadu. In Pakistan people will not follow the sighting of Bangladesh but before 1971 when it was East Pakistan they would, why? The Messenger* said: "He is not one of us who calls for nationalism or who fights for nationalism or who dies for nationalism." That’s why starting Ramadhan and celebrating Eid on one day is an obligation

 

Conclusion
* If a Muslim country announces that the sighting of a new moon has been confirmed according to the lawful way- for the beginning of Ramadhan or for the day of Eid – then you have to fast or celebrate Eid. 
* It is forbidden to wait for a ruler or scholar in your part of the world to give you permission to fast. 

Mu'az narrated: I said: O Messenger of Allah. What do you think if we had leaders who do not follow your Sunnah and do not adopt your order; in what do you order regarding their affair? The Messenger of Allah* said: “There is no obedience to the one who does not obey Allah 'azza wa jall.” 
Imam Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurayrah: that "The Messenger of Allah* forbade fasting on two days, the day of al-Adha and the day of al-Fitr".

Don't forget the HISC Charity 20/20 Cricket Match next Sunday (no study circle)