Unifying the start of Ramadan is a recurring challenge for Muslim communities in the West where no single centralized religious authority exists. The disparity between local centers—some following physical sighting, others following calculation, and others following specific countries—often leads to confusion. Below is a guide based on scholarly advice to help local representatives achieve consensus.
1. Local Unity vs. Following Larger Centers
The primary objective of the Shari’ah in ritual observances is to create unity and solidarity among Muslims. Priority should be given to uniting the local region. The fragmentation of a small community into different start dates contradicts the spirit of Ramadan. Decisions should not be made by individuals acting arbitrarily. Instead, representatives from the various local centers should form a collective committee to make a binding decision for the region. If the local community cannot agree, or if following the larger mosques in London facilitates greater unity and prevents chaos, it is permissible and advised to follow them. The ultimate goal is to avoid a situation where neighbors or families are fasting on different days.
2. Following the First Sighting (Global Sighting)
Regarding the question of whether to follow the first Islamic country that declares the moon sighting, scholars offer a “Global Sighting” perspective suitable for the modern era. Because modern communication allows news to travel instantly, many scholars argue that the sighting of the moon in one region is binding on others, provided the news is reliable and received in time to act upon it (i.e., before Fajr). The most preferred view in the (Hanafi) school is, if the moon is sighted in the east it is binding on the west, provided the information can be received in time for them to act upon it! While classical Fiqh discusses sharing a part of the night, the emphasis in the modern context is on the ability to receive the news and act upon it.
3. Astronomical Calculation vs. Physical Sighting
The debate between physical sighting (Ru’yah) and astronomical calculation (Hisab) is a major source of division. The provided guidance states that there is nothing wrong with following decisions based on either astronomical calculations or physical sighting. Both methods have scholarly backing. The method itself is secondary to the unity of the community. If the majority of the community or the leadership council decides to adopt a specific country’s announcement (whether based on sighting or calculation) to ensure everyone starts together, this is religiously valid.
Conclusion for Representatives
To assist other representatives in understanding the issue:
- Avoid Chaos: Individual or isolated decisions lead to confusion. Adhere to a collective decision-making process.
- Educate and Persuade: Use the evidence that Islam prioritizes the brotherhood and unity of the Ummah over strict adherence to a specific calculation or sighting method in non-Muslim lands.
- Follow the Majority: If a consensus cannot be reached, follow the majority of the community or the major established mosques to ensure the region remains united.
