Moon sighting

<![CDATA[Dear Scholars:as-salamu alaykum!the basis of setting the date of Eid Al-Adha in Saudi Arabia is still vague and unclear among us in the Philippines. In our previous inquiry, it was not answered whether or not sighting a new moon in relation to the date of Eid Al-Adha is based on the Qur?an or Hadith. May we know if the determining the date of Eid Al-Adha is based or deduced from the Qiyas or Ijma or they have their own guidelines in determining it?  Jazakum Allah khairan.

Respected scholars, As-salamu `alaykum. News has circulated that there will be a partial eclipse of the sun on Monday 29 Sha`ban 1426 ( October 3, 2005 ). This eclipse will last from 12 noon until 3 p.m. It is also said that there will be a probability of sighting the new moon of Ramadan in the Gulf regi on using telescopes. The eclipse will be total in Libya and Sudan, which allows a better sighting of the new moon.Is it possible in the viewpoint of Islam to sight the new moon of Ramadan in the daytime of the preceding day of Sha`ban, or must the sighting be after sunset? Jazakum Allahu khayran.

As-Salamu `Alaykum. With the approach of Ramadan, Muslims are confused about the beginning of Ramadan. Should we follow the moon sighting in Makkah or in North America? Can we follow astronomical (mathematical) calculations to decide on the beginning of Ramadan? Jazakum Allahu Khayran.

As-Salamu `alaykum. I live in the West. I’d like to know whether we should use the same moon sightings used in the East to start and end the month of Ramadan, taking into consideration that the time of day and night is different in both areas.

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. I was just asking how was moon sighting done in the beginning of Islamic history. And how did it end up becoming the choice between following Makkah or the local moon sighting? Jazakum Allahu khayran.

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. As you know, there is no centrally recognized authority for determining the beginning of the lunar month, especially Ramadan. Muslim minorities depend mostly on the reports coming from Muslim countries with Muslim majorities either by telephone or telegraph. Can Muslim minorities start fasting depending on the news of the new moon reported by telegraphs or telephones or any other electronic machines? Jazakum Allahu khayran.

As-salamu `alaykum. If a Muslim travels during Ramadan to another country where people there started the fast later or earlier than his country, and he stays in that country until `Eid, with which of the two countries should he break the fast? Jazakum Allahu khayran.