Confirmation of the start of Ramadan
Ramadan is a lunar month so its start and end are confirmed by the sighting of the new moon. It requires two acceptable Muslims testifying to the fact, but if no one sees it; Muslims must complete the precedent month.
Confirmation of the start of Ramadan
As Ramadan is a lunar month, its beginning is determined by the sighting of the new moon. Thus, if someone sights the new moon himself, or confirms its sighting by a Muslim person of integrity, or gets to know of it, the month is deemed to have started.
:This is implied by the divine order
‘So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it.’
(2:185)
:The Prophet (peace be upon him) says
‘When you have sighted the new moon, fast.’
Related by al-Bukhari, hadith No. 1,900; Muslim, hadith No. 1,080
:Ibn 'Umar reports
‘I told the Prophet (peace be upon him) that I sighted the new moon of Ramadan and he fasted and ordered people to fast.’
Related by Abu Dawud, hadith No. 2,342; al-Darimi, hadith No. 1,733; Ibn Hibban, hadith No. 3,447; al-Hakim, vol. 1, p. 585
If the new moon is not sighted, and no Muslim testifies to sighting it, it becomes obligatory to complete the preceding month, Sha[ban 30 days. The beginning of Ramadan can only be confirmed by one of these two ways: the sighting of the new moon or completing the month of Sha[ban 30 days.
:The Prophet (peace be upon him) says
‘Begin fasting when you have sighted the new moon and finish your fasting when you have sighted the new moon. If it is too cloudy, you are otherwise unable to sight it, then complete the month of Sha'ban 30 days.’
Related by al-Bukhari, hadith No. 1,909; Muslim, hadith No. 1,081
The end of the month of Ramadan is also determined by the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal, with two acceptable Muslims testifying to the fact. If two witnesses do not testify, then Ramadan must be completed 30 days.