VISIBILITY OF MOON
- If due to cloud or dust the moon of Ramadhaan was not visible but a
reliable and pious man gave evidence of having seen the moon, then the visibility of
moon is proved whether the person is a man or woman.
- But if the moon of Eid is not Visible due to cloud, then the
evidence of one man, however pious or reliable he may be, will not be counted
till two reliable and pious men or one pious man and two pious women give
evidence of their having seen the moon. The evidence of four women even will not be
counted.
- Anyone who dose not observe the religious code i.e. does not pray or
keep fast and always tells a lie or is guilty of other sins against religious law, then
his evidence should not be believed as reliable despite his swearing. Even. if two or
three such persons give evidence, it will not be counted or relied upon.
- It is generally said that on the day which was fourth of Rajab (month)
the first of Ramadhaan will fall on that day. This is not correct according to
Shari’at. No fast should be observed if there is no moon.
- On visibility of new moon it is bad to say that it is very big or
appears to be of the last day. It has been said in the Traditions that people would say so
near the Dooms day. Nor the dooj of Hindus should be believed that the visibility of moon
is certain as it is dooj that day. All these thoughts are irrelevant according to
Shari’ah (religious code).
- If the sky is quite clear, then the evidence of two or three men would
not suffice either for Ramadhaan or Eid moon till the number of witnesses is large enough
to establish that such large number of men could not have conspired and that they
cannot tell a lie.
- If it is rumoured in the entire population that the new moon has
appeared and many persons have seen it, but in spite of all efforts not a single person
could be found who actually seen the moon, then such a rumour would not be relied or taken
account of.
- If a single person has seen the moon of Ramadhaan and none else, but he
does not observe the religious laws, then upon his evidence others should not keep fast.
But if this man has completed thirty fasts and the Eid moon is not then he should observe
the 31st fast also and celebrate Eid with others.
- If only one man has seen the Eid moon and his evidence was not relied
upon, then it is not proper for him to celebrate Eid. He should keep a fast next day and
should not rely upon his own seeing of moon.
- If the residents of a city have seen the new moon, it would be
binding and a proof for the people of other city, whatever the distance between them may
be -- so if this moon was visible at one end of the West and its evidence reached through
a reliable source to the other end of East, fast will become obligatory for the people of
East.
- If upon the evidence of two reliable persons the visibility of new moon
was established and, people observed fast accordingly but after 30 days the Eid moon was
not visible whether the sky was clear or not fast should not be kept on 31st day and that
day will be counted as the first day of Shawwaal.
- If the moon was seen at day time on the 30th, it will be regarded as
that of the coming night and not of last night and that day will not be counted as that of
the next month, whether the moon was seen before mid-day or after that.
- If any one sees the moon of Ramadhaan or Eid and due to sonic reasons
his evidence is not relied upon, then it is essential for him to keep fasts of both the
days i.e. if he saw the moon of Ramadhaan, then next day he Should keep a fast and in the
same way if it was Eid moon he should keep a fast next day.
BREACHES OF FAST