Crescent Sighting and the Choice of Fasting the Day of Arafah – A Comparative Analysis of National and Saudi Practices

Dr. Raja Muhammad Zareef Khan; Syed Saqlain ul Hassan; Dr. Sarfraz Hussain

Dr. Raja Muhammad Zareef Khan Assistant professor, Department of law,University of sialkot, Pakistan
Syed Saqlain ul Hassan Lecturer Faculty of Law, University of Sialkot.
Dr. Sarfraz Hussain Lecturer Islamic Studies, PSSSS Govt: Degree College Sanghar, Sindh

Keywords: Fast for arfa, Arafah in a different country, Saudi Arabia, crescent sighting

Abstract

Fasting the day of, arafah in different countries, the question is raised in different countries, on what day can they fast for Arafa? Do they have to follow the Saudi date or the local date of their country? Mean are they Fast according to the crescent moon of their country or according to Saudi Arabia? The correct scholarly view is that the moon sighting varies by region. Therefore, based on the hadith of the Prophet (peace be on him) said: “When you see it (the new moon) fast, and when you see it break your fast”, If fasting is kept according to Makkah, two forms arise. How to fast in the countries where Eid is celebrated on this day? Second, before today, when there was no communication system and people did not know that today was the day of Arafah in Makkah, how did people fast? This is based on a difference of opinion among the scholars: Is there only one moon sighting for the whole world or does it vary according to when the moon rises in different places? First of all, we implore Allah (almighty) to help us serve His cause and render our work for His sake.