In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
There is no other god beside GOD

Sighting of Moon not required to begin Ramadan fasting

God gave us scientific knowledge to determine exactly when a lunar month will begin and end. Astronomers have this knowledge precisely calculated and we can compute the day Ramadan will begin (or end) for a particular year months and years in advance. Lunar calendars are printed and people conduct business and trade in middle eastern countries without any uncertainty. God says in the Quran:



We do not try to physically see the sun's position when it is time to pray our Contact Prayers (Salat). The sun, earth and moon follow precise orbits (21:33). Similarly, there is no need for trying to sight the crescent of the moon to start fasting. Any observatory or astronomy center should have that information for your area. Some almanacs, magazines or newspapers also report the times for the phases of the moon.

To determine when one should start fasting, compare the time the new lunar month begins with the time of sunset, the beginning of a day in the Islamic calendar. If the new moon time for the month of Ramadan is before the sunset, one starts fasting the next day at dawn (fajr). However, if the new moon time is actually past the sunset, then that particular night is considered to belong to the last day of the previous month (Sha’ban).

More information on the lunar calendar as it relates to Ramadan (note: the Ramadan dates in this article are of 1999; please see: Ramadan page for current fasting information)


International Community of Submitters / Masjid Tucson
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