When Does Ramadan Begin?

Moon Sighting, اختلاف المطالع (Difference in moon sighting locations), and Following Evidence Not Emotion All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.  As-Salaamualaikum Wa Rah'matullahi Wa Barakaat'u! There is no guidance except through revelation, and no correctness except by evidence. Why Moon Sighting Still Confuses Many Muslims Every year, the same dispute returns. One country starts Ramadan. Another delay. Social media explodes with accusations. Unity is weaponized. Evidence is ignored. But Ramadan is not confirmed by feelings, calendars, politics, or group pressure; it is confirmed by the method established by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. How Ramadan Is Confirmed According to the Sunnah. Abu Huraira narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:  “Fast when you see it (the crescent moon), and break your fast when you see it, if you are unable to see it  (due to weather), then complete thirty days of Sha‘ban.”  (Sahih al-Bukhari 1909, Sahih Muslim 1080) This hadith establishes three principles beyond dispute: Ramadan starts by sighting the moon. Ramadan does not start by just calculating. When sighting is not possible, completion of thirty days is mandatory. There is no fourth option. Does One Sighting Apply to the Entire World? This is where اختلاف المطالع (Difference in moon sighting locations) arises. The Prophet ﷺ did not say “when anyone sees it anywhere on earth.” He addressed people based on their sightings. The clearest evidence is the hadith of Kuraib. Kuraib reported that the moon was sighted in Sham on Friday night. Ibn Abbas in Madinah refused to follow that sighting and said: “But we saw it on Saturday night, and we will continue fasting until we complete thirty days or see it.” When asked why he did not follow the sighting of Sham, Ibn Abbas said: “This is how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded us.” (Sahih Muslim 1087) This proves: Local sightings are valid.  Different regions may begin Ramadan on different days. This was known and accepted by the Companions. The Scholarly Positions Explained Clearly There are two well-known scholarly positions. First, Global sighting. One sighting applies to all Muslims. Second. Local sighting. Each region relies on its own confirmed sighting. Both opinions exist within Ahlus Sunnah; neither is innovation. However, what is not allowed is abandoning moon sighting entirely in favor of astronomical calculation alone.  The overwhelming majority of scholars across all four madhahib rejected calculation as an independent basis for fasting. Why? Because the Prophet ﷺ linked worship to a visible sign, not hidden data. Why Unity Is Not an Excuse to Abandon Evidence Unity is achieved by following the Sunnah, not by overriding it. True unity existed when the Companions differed yet remained united in the truth. Unity does not mean forcing one sighting on regions that did not see the moon. Unity does not mean declaring others misguided for following authentic evidence. Unity means returning disputes to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. Allah says: “If you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and the Messenger.” (Surah an-Nisa 4:59) Common Mistakes That Must Be Corrected Saying moon sightings are outdated. Claiming calculations are more accurate than the Sunnah. Mocking scholars who insist on physical sighting. Accusing others of breaking unity for following their local scholars. These are not academic errors; they are methodological deviations. The Correct Balanced Position; Ramadan is confirmed by sighting the moon. Local sightings are valid and supported by evidence. Global sighting is a recognized opinion, but not binding on all. Calculations may assist observation, but cannot replace it. Disagreement here is based on scholars' understanding, not a reason for hostility. Whoever follows a valid scholarly position based on evidence is not sinful. But whoever replaces revelation with preference has crossed a line. Pause and Reflect Do you follow Ramadan because your community announced it, or because Allah and His Messenger ﷺ legislated it? Is your stance built on dalil, or on pressure and trends? Would the Companions recognize our method today? What Comes Next In the next article, In Shaa Allah, we will explain the pillars that hold our fasting according to Sunnah. There are two strong pillars, which are foundations, and what's within them.  If you have any feedback, send us an email (T&Cs apply):   support@nurquest.com May Allah grant us clarity, sincerity, and submission to the truth wherever it appears.