You may have known that it is Sunnah to look for the crescent moon on the 29th day of each lunar month. Uncertainty on the 29th lunar day, the crescent moon is not sighted locally and reliable/verified news has not been obtained from a foreign authority either, then the month will be completed as 30-days. Regarding this fact, Ramadan moon sighting is very important to start fasting for this month but it is not allowed to start the month on a doubtful day. Despite the fact that it is permissible to use systematic calculations to plan forward when and where to sight the crescent moon, it is not permissible to establish the month based purely on these calculations. In the beginning of every month, it is necessary to verify and authenticate the sighting of the crescent moon.
Preparations for Ramadan Moon Sighting 2024
We know that the Muslim calendar is determined by Moon phases making each month last between 29 and 30 days. The Islamic year's length is on average between 354 and 355 days. It is to be noted that the end of Sha'ban and beginning of Ramadan starts when a new crescent Moon appears immediately after sunset. In past, they had to rely on the naked eye to see moon changes but now telescopes are used to help determine when the holy month should begin.
For Ramadan Moon Sighting 2024, a special Moon sighting committee is formed to determine the start of Ramadan. That moon sighting committee organizes after Maghrib prayers to witness the first sighting of the crescent Moon. When a new crescent Moon is seen Ramadan is declared to begin the following day. For this purpose, Sharia courts have been called on to look out for the crescent Moon and notify the committee. Disagreements sometimes arise between countries' committees, resulting in some countries observing Ramadan earlier than others.
Dua for Ramadan Kareem Moon Sighting
The fasting in the month of Ramadan is mandatory. When the moon is sighted we should promise to ourselves that, we will keep all fasts during this month to attain nearness to Allah. Just like prayers the intention of fasting is spiritual and is the case with intention of every action. To pronounce it in words cannot only be defined as intention or neyat.
While the Ramadan Kareem moon sighting, turn towards Qiblah, raising hands towards the sky and make this dua:
اللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالْيُمْنِ وَالْإِيمَانِ وَالسَّلَامَةِ وَالْإِسْلَامِ وَالتَّوْفِيقِ لِمَا تُحِبُّ وَتَرْضَى رَبِّي وَرَبُّكَ اللَّهُ
یا الٰہی عزوجل اس چاند کو ہم پر برکت کے ساتھ اور ایمان و سلامتی اور اسلام اور اس چیز کی توفیق کے ساتھ نکال جس سے تو راضی ہوتا ہے اور پسند کرتا ہے، (اے پہلی رات کے چاند) میرا اور تیرا رب اللہ عزوجل ہے۔
O Allah Azzawajal make this moon come out on us with blessings and with Iman and peace and Islam and make it come out with the ability of that thing which pleases you and that you like, (O moom of the first night my and your Lord is Allah Azzawajal).
