Chapter on Fasting Upon Sighting the Moon and Breaking the Fast Upon Sighting the Moon

"When you see the crescent, fast, and when you see it again, break your fast. This is not based on conjecture or speculation. Seeing the crescent does not mean that ten people look for it, and one of them says, 'There it…

"There is no obligation upon the people of the Qiblah except seeing [the crescent], and there is no obligation upon the Muslims except seeing [the crescent]."

"Fasting is based on sighting [the crescent], and breaking the fast is based on sighting [the crescent]. Sighting is not determined by one person, nor two, nor fifty."

Hadith.1911 - In the narration of Muhammad ibn Qays from Abu Ja'far (as), who said that Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as), said: "When you see the crescent, break your fast, or if a trustworthy Muslim…

"I do not accept the sighting of the crescent except with the testimony of two just men."

Hadith.1913 - Sama'ah asked Imam (as) about a day in the Month of Ramadan over which there is a dispute. Imam (as) said: "If the people of the city agree to fast based on sighting [the crescent], then observe it. This…

Hadith.1914 - Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as), said: "The testimony of women is not accepted for the sighting of the crescent; only the testimony of two just men is accepted."

Hadith.1915 - Ali ibn Ja'far asked his brother Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim (as) about a man who sees the crescent for the Month of Ramadan alone, and no one else sees it. Should he fast? Imam (as) said: "If he has no…

"If the crescent appears surrounded by a halo, it is for two nights. If you can see the shadow of your head in it, it is for three nights."

"If the crescent sets before twilight, it is for one night. If it sets after twilight, it is for two nights."

Hadith.1918 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said: "If the crescent of Rajab is confirmed, count fifty-nine days and fast on the sixtieth day."

Hadith.1919 - Imam (as) said: "If you fasted the Month of Ramadan on a specific day in the previous year, then in the following year count five days from that day and fast on the fifth day."

I asked him about a man who was captured by the Romans and did not know when the Month of Ramadan occurred. Imam (as) said: "He should fast for a month, making an effort to estimate and calculate. If the month he fasted…

Hadith.1921 - Al-'Is ibn al-Qasim asked Imam (as) about a situation where a group of people all see the crescent and agree that it is for two nights. Imam (as) said: "Yes, it is permissible."