moon-sighting for Ramadan 2025

[questioner]

Assalamualaikum wrt dear cherished team members of MV. Where I am located, it was announced yesterday in 29th March, that Shawwal will commence tomorrow, on the 31st. Having started Ramadan on 1st of March, this would mean 30 days of fasting. However, astronomy webpages state for my location and elsewhere, 29th of March was the date for the new moon. I cannot ascertain it as I couldn't see it with my eyes nor do I have the knowledge to confirm or deny it through other technical means.

In my opinion, I believe the official declaration is possibly faulty as it is entirely based on physically sighting the moon,  which is subject to various obstacles such as bad weather, pollution, human errors as well as a lunar eclipse that took place. Even taking into account that optical aids such as telescopes may have been used.

As such, do you recommend going along with the official date or should I start Shawwal today in a personal capacity, by breaking my fast? Its afternoon now btw.

Jazakalllahu khayran and may Allah preserve us and the Muslims all over the world until the next Ramadan under His grace and protection, and may He destroy the evil tyrants and Zionist criminals that are inflicting untold suffering and destruction in Palestine, Yemen and elsewhere with absolute destruction. Ameen.

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Walaikum as Salam brother.  I understand what you mean.  This practice of cutting short Ramadan from 30 days to 29 days is getting very common.  Sometimes they claim crescent moon wasn't cited, at other times it's done deliberately to have Eid on a weekend.  In North America Eid is declared today, Ramadan 30 (March 30) which means days of fasting were 29 days. 

Whether or not you wish to continue fasting today or observe Eid is up to you.  In my opinion the better decision might be to fast.  However to avoid disagreements and any confusion that may arise from it, one may decide to observe 1st Shawwal today.  It's okay.  In your case if you have begun fasting today, it's already afternoon and you wish to complete it then it's absolutely fine to go ahead.

Ameen to your very nice du'a ..
May Allah Azzawajal bless you.

[questioner]

your advice is well reasoned Sr Heba, but unfortunately i gave into my nafs despite urging from friends and family to continue fasting today.

However, its apparent now i was in clear error as the local authorities just published the declaration of positive sighting of the new crescent moon today, confirming that tomorrow would be 1st of Shawwal at my location, thus completing 30 days of Ramadhan.

may Allah forgive my serious lapse in judgement and grant me the strength and opportunity to make up for it on a different day. My apologies for any mistakes or confusion that may have arose from my initial post. Jazakallahu khayran and thank you.

[N. Truth Seeker]

These genuine errors with good intent are nothing to worry about.  Allah is Forgiving, Merciful and He doesn't Judge us the same way humans judge.

Btw, did the local authorities cite the moon on 29th or 30th ?

[questioner]

True Br. TS, alhamdullillah for that, may our errors only serve to guide us back to the right path, ameen.

Officially, Ramadan 1st was declared to fall on 2nd of March.

The official event to sight the new crescent moon and publishing the result of the event took place on Sunday, the 30th. Crescent moon was declared sighted and thus, the next day is 1st of Shawal.

Personally I started Ramadan on the 1st of March in accordance to the main alternative view at that time.