Following the moon sighting of one's area

Q: Every year there come witnesses from people that they have seen the moon but the hilal committee dont take witnesses and says we can fast only if they will see moon. So as the system of moon sighting is not correct and also some people in society fast with nearby country. I live in Pakistan and people fast with Saudi Arabia. So can I fast with nearby country that is Saudi or any other country?

A: It is wrong to say that people do not follow the sighting of the moon. And it is wrong to say that the sighting of the moon is not accepted by the authorities and learned people. They will definitely reject the sighting if there was some type of inconsistency or the report was not reliable. Hence, you should do what the righteous and learned people of your area do. Don't break away.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)