Every year, Muslims around the world ask the same questions before Ramadan and Eid: "Has the moon been sighted?" Why do Islamic months depend on the moon, and why do different communities sometimes start on different days? Here is a simple explanation for families.
Islamic Months Follow the Moon
The Islamic calendar is lunar. A new month begins when the thin new crescent (hilal) is seen after sunset on the 29th day of the month. If it is not seen, the month is completed as 30 days. Allah says: "They ask you about the new moons. Say: they are measurements of time for the people and for Hajj." (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:189)
What the Prophet ﷺ Taught
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Fast when you see it (the crescent) and break your fast when you see it. If it is hidden from you (by clouds), then complete thirty days." (Sahih al-Bukhari 1909, Sahih Muslim 1081)
This made the Islamic calendar simple for everyone – whether in a city or a desert, anyone could look at the sky.
Why Do Communities Sometimes Differ?
You may notice that one masjid announces Eid on one day and another masjid the next day. This happens because scholars have different, valid approaches:
- Local sighting: following the moon seen in your own region.
- Global or regional sighting: following a sighting in another country.
- Astronomical calculation: using scientific calculations to decide when the moon can be seen.
These are matters of scholarly discussion. For families, the best approach is usually to follow your local masjid or trusted scholarly council and keep unity in the community.
A Family Moon-Watching Activity
- On the 29th of an Islamic month, go outside just after sunset.
- Look low on the western horizon, near where the sun went down.
- The crescent is very thin and may only be visible for a short time.
- If you see it, say the du'a for the new moon together.
The next opportunity: the end of Jumada al-Awwal 1448, around 9–10 November 2026.
The Du'a When Seeing the New Moon
اللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالْيُمْنِ وَالْإِيمَانِ، وَالسَّلَامَةِ وَالْإِسْلَامِ، رَبِّي وَرَبُّكَ اللَّهُ
"O Allah, bring it over us with blessing and faith, safety and Islam. My Lord and your Lord is Allah." (Jami' at-Tirmidhi, 3451)
The Moon Is a Sign of Allah
Watching the moon change from a thin crescent to a full moon and back reminds us of Allah's perfect order in creation. Let's teach our children to look at the sky and say "SubhanAllah".
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