The start of Ramadaan
Ramadaan is the name of the 9th month of the Islamic Calendar, coming after the month of Sha'baan and before the month of Shawaal. Ramadaan is very significant for Muslims because it is the month of obligatory fasting, which Muslims adhere to as an act of obedience to Allah.
When does Ramadaan begin?
Ramadaan begins when the new moon is sighted, as stated in the Qur'an:
"So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadaan), he must fast that month."
(Qur'an - 2: 185)
The Islamic (Hijri) calendar is a lunar calendar, based on the moon. Although the Hijri calendar also has 12 months per year, the lunar month averages between 29 and 30 days, whilst the months of the Gregorian calendar that we use in New Zealand are usually 30 or 31 days. Consequently, every year Ramadaan starts about 11 days earlier than it did the previous year. The exact day depends on the sighting of the new crescent moon at the end of the month of Sha'baan (the 8th month).
On the day of the 29th of Sha'baan, Muslims look on the horizon just as the sun sets for the new moon. If the moon is sighted on this night, Ramadaan begins and the next day will be the first day of fasting. If the moon is not seen, then the start of Ramadaan will be delayed by another day, since a lunar month cannot be longer than 30 days and Sha'baan must have finished by this time.
The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Fast when you see the new moon and break your fast when you see the new moon, and if you are not sure, then complete the number of Sha'baan as thirty days."
(Hadith - Bukhari)
Often the new moon only appears for a few minutes and even then, only a portion of it may appear, making it difficult to see. Sometimes cloudy weather means that there is no chance of seeing the new moon.
It is not necessary that every Muslim see the new moon for Ramadaan. It is
sufficient that a trustworthy Muslim sights the new moon, whereupon every
Muslim in that country is obliged to begin fasting the next day.
Ibn 'Umar confirmed the practice of sighting the new moon in his report:
"The People were seeking the new moon. Having sighted it myself, I reported it to the Prophet (peace be upon him). He began his fast and ordered the people to begin theirs too."
(Hadith - Abu Dawood)
Once a Muslim sights the new moon they are obliged to spread the news to the Muslims. In 2005, the new moon for Ramadaan in New Zealand will be looked for at sunset on the 4th October. This means that the first day of fasting will either be on the 5th October (if the moon is seen on the 4th), or on the 6th October (if the moon is not seen on the 4th).
It should also be noted that it is not permissible to fast a day or two before Ramadaan thinking that it might be Ramadaan - this is known as fasting on the 'Day of Doubt'. Fasting on such a day is only permissible if it is a day that the person ordinarily fasts out of habit (i.e. an optional fast) or because they still need to make days up from the previous Ramadaan.
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said, "None of you should pre-empt Ramadaan by fasting a day or two before it, except for a man fasting his usual fast, then let him fast that day."
(Hadith - Bukhari)
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