The Month May Be Twenty-Nine Days Sunan Abi Dawud 2321
Arabic hadith text
حَدَّثَنَا حُمَيْدُ بْنُ مَسْعَدَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَهَّابِ، حَدَّثَنِي أَيُّوبُ، قَالَ كَتَبَ عُمَرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ إِلَى أَهْلِ الْبَصْرَةِ بَلَغَنَا عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم . نَحْوَ حَدِيثِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم زَادَ وَإِنَّ أَحْسَنَ مَا يُقَدَّرُ لَهُ إِذَا رَأَيْنَا هِلاَلَ شَعْبَانَ لِكَذَا وَكَذَا فَالصَّوْمُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لِكَذَا وَكَذَا إِلاَّ أَنْ تَرَوُا الْهِلاَلَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ .
Translation
Narrated Ayyub
Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz wrote to the people of Basra: It has reached us from the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, similar to the hadith of Ibn Umar from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. He added: "And indeed the best estimate for it is that when we see the crescent of Sha'ban on such and such (date), then fasting, if Allah wills, will be on such and such (date), unless you see the crescent before that."
Hadith Text
'Umar b. 'Abd al-'Aziz wrote (a letter) to the people of Basrah: It has reached us from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), like the tradition narrated by Ibn 'Umar from the Prophet (ﷺ). This version adds: The best calculation is that when we sight the moon of Sha'ban on such-and-such date, fasting will begin on such-and-such dates, Allah willing, except that they sight the moon before that (date).
Source Reference
Book: Fasting (Kitab Al-Siyam)
Author: Sunan Abi Dawud
Hadith: Sunan Abi Dawud 2321
Scholarly Commentary
This narration demonstrates the early Islamic methodology for determining the beginning of Ramadan. 'Umar b. 'Abd al-'Aziz, being a righteous caliph, transmitted the Prophetic practice of moon sighting to establish the fasting month.
The phrase "best calculation" refers to astronomical estimation as a preparatory measure, while maintaining that actual visual sighting takes precedence. This shows the balance between using scientific knowledge and adhering to the Sunnah requirement of physical moon sighting.
The exception clause "except that they sight the moon before that" emphasizes that calculated dates are only estimates, and the actual sighting overrides any preliminary calculations. This preserves the literal application of the Prophetic command to begin fasting upon visual confirmation.
The inclusion of "Allah willing" reflects proper Islamic etiquette, acknowledging that all matters are ultimately in Divine control, and human calculations are subject to Allah's will.
Legal Rulings
The primary method for determining Ramadan remains actual moon sighting by trustworthy witnesses.
Astronomical calculations may be used as supportive evidence but cannot completely replace physical sighting according to the majority of classical scholars.
If the moon is sighted earlier than calculated estimates, the sighting takes immediate effect, and fasting becomes obligatory.
This tradition establishes that regional authorities should coordinate moon sighting efforts and communicate findings to ensure unified observance.