QA-ID-0010
QUESTION
Someone went Qatar for work. They were planning to do Ramadan not with Saudi. Yet, upon reaching found out that everyone follows Saudi.
They missed the first fast. No one in the persons vicinity did it on Tuesday. What should a person do regarding the first fast which he missed and regarding Eid. Should he count Monday as 1st Ramadan or Shaban?
ANSWER
﷽
On Sunday 10th March, it was not possible to sight the moon in the Middle East region, not even with a conventional telescope and not even in the most perfect conditions. The moon was way below the danjon limit, whereby it cannot be seen with the naked eye. The illumination of the crescent everywhere in Saudi Arabia was 0%. The moon does not have its own light, but reflects the light of the sun. With an illumination of 0%, how can it be seen?
Additionally, when it is known from repeated events that Saudi Arabia’s decisions on moonsighting are erroneous and that the decision for the start and end of Ramadān always seem to perfectly align with their pre-fixed calendar dates, it is not acceptable to rely on it.
Since you are not a permanent resident there and since it is possible to individually act upon your own dates without severe hardship or difficulty, you should consider Tuesday 12th March to be the first fast of Ramadān. As such, you do not need to make up the fast of Monday 11th March.
Regarding Eid:
You can message about it closer to the time and I will offer guidance in shā Allāh.
والله تعالى أعلم
And Allāh Knows Best
Muhammad Kalim Misbahi
