Islamic months & sighting of the moon

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Introduction:

As we move away from the blessed times of Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) and his Sahaba (RA), matters are creeping into our Deen which have no basis in Islamic Shariah and Islamic history is devoid of any examples or precedence of these action. One such idea is that Islamic months don’t require the sighting of the moon rather, the commencing of the Islamic months is dependent upon astronomical calculations (exclusively) be it the possibility of the sighting (and no attempts are necessary to sight) or merely accurate predictions of the phases of the moon.

The following piece is written to provide conclusive evidence that Islamic months (Ramadhan & otherwise) have always relied upon the sighting of the moon although calculations can be assist in sighting or to confirm (or reject) the sighting but astronomical calculations no matter how accurate cannot be exclusively used for the commencing of the Islamic months.

Moon sighting in the Qur’aan [2:189]:

سۡـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡأَهِلَّةِ‌ۖ قُلۡ هِىَ مَوَٲقِيتُ لِلنَّاسِ وَٱلۡحَجِّ‌ۗ وَلَيۡسَ ٱلۡبِرُّ بِأَن تَأۡتُواْ ٱلۡبُيُوتَ مِن ظُهُورِهَا وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلۡبِرَّ مَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰ‌ۗ وَأۡتُواْ ٱلۡبُيُوتَ مِنۡ أَبۡوَٲبِهَا‌ۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّڪُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ

[2:189] They ask you about the new moons. Say: They are indicative of time for the people, and of the Hajj. It is not righteousness that you come into your houses from their backs, but righteousness is that one fears Allah. So come into houses through their doors; and fear Allah so that you may be successful.

Tafseer Ibn Katheer (RA):

Imam Ismail Ibn Katheer (RA) records the opinion that the sighting of the moon should be used to commence and end the fasting and presents (amongst others) the following two Ahadeeth in his Tafseer.

وقال عبد الرزاق، عن عبد العزيز بن أبي رَوّاد، عن نافع، عن ابن عمر قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "جعل الله الأهلة مواقيت للناس فصوموا لرؤيته وأفطروا لرؤيته، فإن غم عليكم فَعُدُّوا ثلاثين يومًا"

Sayyidina Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) narrates that the Prophet of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) stated: "Allah (SWT) created the moons as they are indicative of times for people so fast when you see it (the moon) and break the fast (end the month) when you see it (the moon) and if there are clouds then compete thirty days." [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]

وقال محمد بن جابر، عن قيس بن طلق؛ عن أبيه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "جعل الله الأهلَّة، فإذا رأيتم الهلال فصُوموا، وإذا رأيتموه فأفطروا، فإن أغْمي عليكم فأكملوا العدة ثلاثين" . وكذا روي من حديث أبي هريرة، ومن كلام عليّ بن أبي طالب، رضي الله عنه

Sayyidina Qays Ibn Talaq (RA) narrates from his father that the Prophet of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) stated: "Allah (SWT) created the moons so fast when see the moon and break the fast (end the month) when you see it (the moon) and if there are clouds upon you then compete thirty days." [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]

Tafseer Dur al-Manthur:

Imam Jalaluddin Al-Suyuti (RA) also records the opinion that the sighting of the moon should be used to commence and end the fasting and presents (amongst others) the following two Ahadeeth in his Tafseer.

وأخرج الحاكم وصححه والبيهقي في سننه عن ابن عمر قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم « جعل الله الأهلة مواقيت للناس فصوموا لرؤيته ، وافطروا لرؤيته ، فإن غم عليكم فعدوا ثلاثين يوماً »

Sayyidina Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) narrates that the Prophet of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) stated: "Allah (SWT) created the moons as they are indicative of times for people so fast when you see it (the moon) and break the fast (end the month) when you see it (the moon) and if there are clouds then compete thirty days." [Dur Al-Manthur]

وأخرج أحمد والطبراني وابن عدي والدارقطني بسند ضعيف عن طلق بن علي قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم « جعل الله الأهلة مواقيت للناس فإذا رأيتم الهلال فصوموا وإذا رأيتموه فأفطروا فإن غم عليكم فأكملوا العدة ثلاثين » .

Sayyidina Talaq Ibn Ali (RA) narrates that the Prophet of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) stated: "Allah (SWT) created the moons so fast when see the moon and break the fast (end the month) when you see it (the moon) and if there are clouds upon you then compete thirty days." [Dur Al-Manthur]

Tafseer Ruh Al-Ma'aani:

Allamah Aloosi (RA) in his Tafseer (Ruh Al-Ma'ani) also records the opinion that the sighting of the moon should be used to commence and end the fasting and writes:

ومناسبة الآية لما قبلها ظاهرة لأنه في بيان حكم الصيام ، وذكر شهر رمضان وبحث الأهلة يلائم ذلك لأن الصوم مقرون برؤية الهلال وكذا الإفطار ، ولهذا قال صلى الله عليه وسلم : « صوموا لرؤيته وافطروا لرؤيته »

...Thus certainly the fasting is dependent upon the sighting of the moon and so is breaking the fast (end the month) and it is so because Prophet of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) stated: fast when see the moon and break the fast (end the month) when you see it (the moon) " [Ruh Al-Ma'aani]

Fathul-Qadeer by Imam Shawkani (RA):

و { الأهلة } جمع هلال ، وجمعها باعتبار هلال كل شهر أو كل ليلة ، تنزيلاً لاختلاف الأوقات منزلة اختلاف الذوات

...Moons is the plural of moon and the plurality (is being mentioned) because there is moon for every location and every night and its phases indicative of the passage of time..." [Fathul-Qadeer]

وأخرج الحاكم وصححه ، والبيهقي في سننه ، عن ابن عمر قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : « جعل الله الأهلة مواقيت للناس ، فصوموا لرؤيته ، وأفطروا لرؤيته ، فإن غُمَّ عليكم ، فعدّوا ثلاثين يوماً » وأخرج أحمد ، والطبراني ، وابن عدي ، والدارقطني بسند ضعيف ، عن طَلْق بن عليّ قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فذكر نحو حديث ابن عمر .

Sayyidina Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) narrates that the Prophet of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) stated: "Allah (SWT) created the moons as they are indicative of times for people so fast when you see it (the moon) and break the fast (end the month) when you see it (the moon) and if there are clouds then compete thirty days." [Fathul-Qadeer]

Moon sighting in the Qur’aan [2:185]:

شَہۡرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ هُدً۬ى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَٱلۡفُرۡقَانِ‌ۚ فَمَن شَہِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّہۡرَ فَلۡيَصُمۡهُ‌ۖ وَمَن ڪَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوۡ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ۬ فَعِدَّةٌ۬ مِّنۡ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ‌ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِڪُمُ ٱلۡيُسۡرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِڪُمُ ٱلۡعُسۡرَ وَلِتُڪۡمِلُواْ ٱلۡعِدَّةَ وَلِتُڪَبِّرُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَٮٰكُمۡ وَلَعَلَّڪُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ

[2:185] The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Qur‘an was revealed as guidance for mankind, and as clear signs that show the right way and distinguish between right and wrong. So those of you who witness the month must fast in it. But the one who is sick, or is on a journey (should fast) as much from other days (as he missed). Allah intends (to provide) ease for you and does not intend (to create) hardship for you. All this is so that you may complete the number (of fasts as prescribed) and proclaim the Takbir of Allah for having guided you, and (so) that you may be grateful.

Tafseer Tabari:

Imam Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari (RA) writes in his Tafseer:

وكذلك"شَهر الشهر"، إذا طلع هلاله

...And thus month to month, its start is (its) moon...[Tabari]

Tafseer Ruh Al-Ma'aani:

Allamah Aloosi (RA) in his Tafseer (Ruh Al-Ma'ani) exaplains that the commencing of Ramadhan is based upon the sighting of the moon:

والمراد : إن كنتم تعلمون نفس الشهر ولا تشكون فيه ، وفيه إيذان بأن الصوم لا ينبغي مع الشك وليس بشيء كما لا يخفى والشهر المدة المعينة التي ابتداؤها رؤية الهلال

......Month is of a finite (known) length and its beginning is the sighting of the moon...[Ruh Al-Ma'aani]

Moon sighting in the Qur’aan [9:36]:

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّہُورِ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱثۡنَا عَشَرَ شَہۡرً۬ا فِى ڪِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ يَوۡمَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ مِنۡہَآ أَرۡبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ۬‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلۡقَيِّمُ‌ۚ فَلَا تَظۡلِمُواْ فِيہِنَّ أَنفُسَڪُمۡ‌ۚ وَقَـٰتِلُواْ ٱلۡمُشۡرِڪِينَ كَآفَّةً۬ ڪَمَا يُقَـٰتِلُونَكُمۡ ڪَآفَّةً۬‌ۚ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ

[9:36] Surely, the number of months according to Allah is twelve (as written) in the Book of Allah on the day He created the heavens and the Earth, of which there are Four Sacred Months. That is the right faith. So, do not wrong yourself therein. And fight the Mushriks all together, as they fight you all together, and be sure that Allah is with the God-fearing.

Tafseer Ruh Al-Ma'aani:

Allamah Aloosi (RA) in his Tafseer (Ruh Al-Ma'ani) exaplains in his Tasfeer:

والشهر عندهم ينقسم إلى شرعي وحقيقي . واصطلاحي؛ فالشرعي معتبر برؤية الهلال بالشرط المعروف في الفقه

...Month can be defined with a Shariah, actual and literal definition and for the Shariah (defintion) only the sighting (of the moon) is reliable and this condition is well established in Fiqh...[Ruh Al-Ma'aani]

Moon sighting for Ramadhan in the Sunnah:

عن أبي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قال : قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : ( صُومُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ ، وَأَفْطِرُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ ، فَإِنْ غُبِّيَ عَلَيْكُمْ فَأَكْمِلُوا عِدَّةَ شَعْبَانَ ثَلَاثِينَ

Sayyidina Abu Huraira (RA) reported Allah's Messenger(Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) as saying: Observe fast on sighting it (the new moon) and break it on sighting it. But if (due to clouds) the actual position of the month is concealed from you, you should then count thirty (days). [Muslim]

Moon sighting for other months in the Sunnah:

حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيل ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبَانُ ، حَدَّثَنَا قَتَادَةُ ، أَنَّهُ بَلَغَهُ " أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ إِذَا رَأَى الْهِلَالَ ، قَالَ : " هِلَالُ خَيْرٍ ، وَرُشْدٍ هِلَالُ خَيْرٍ ، وَرُشْدٍ هِلَالُ خَيْرٍ ، وَرُشْدٍ آمَنْتُ بِالَّذِي خَلَقَكَ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ، ثُمَّ يَقُولُ : الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي ذَهَبَ بِشَهْرِ كَذَا ، وَجَاءَ بِشَهْرِ كَذَا "

Sayyidina Qatadah (RA) narrates that it has certainly reached him that when the Prophet of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) sighted the moon, he used to say three times: "A new moon of good and right guidance; a new moon of good and right guidance; a new moon of good and right guidance. I believe in Him Who created you". He would then say: "Praise be to Allah Who has made such and such a month to pass and has brought such and such a month." [Abu Da'wud]

أخبرنا عبد الرزاق قال: أخبرنا معمر عن قتادة أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان إذا رأى الهلال كبر ثلاثا، ثم قال: هلال خير ورشد، ثلاثا، ثم قال: آمنت بالذي خلقك، ثلاثا، ثم يقول: الحمد لله الذي ذهب بشهر كذا وكذا، وجاء بشهر كذا وكذا

Sayyidina Qatadah (RA) narrates when the Prophet of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) sighted the moon, he used to proclaim the Greatness of Allah (SWT) three times by Saying Allahu-Akbar and then pronounce three times: "A new moon of good and right guidance" and then say three times "I believe in Him Who created you". He would then say: "Praise be to Allah Who has made such and such a month to pass and has brought such and such a month " [Al-Musanaff]

عَنْ قَتَادَةَ ، قَالَ : كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا رَأَى الْهِلالَ كَبَّرَ ثَلاثًا ، وَهَلَّلَ ، ثُمَّ قَالَ : " هِلالُ خَيْرٍ وَرُشْدٍ " ثَلاثًا ثُمَّ قَالَ : " آمَنْتُ بِالَّذِي خَلَقَكَ " ثَلاثًا ثُمَّ يَقُولُ : " الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي ذَهَبَ بِشَهْرِ كَذَا وَجَاءَ بِشَهْرِ كَذَا

Sayyidina Qatadah (RA) narrates when the Prophet of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) sighted the moon, he used to proclaim the Greatness of Allah (SWT) three times by Saying Allahu-Akbar, then rejoice and then pronounce three times: "A new moon of good and right guidance" and then say three times "I believe in Him Who created you". He would then say: "Praise be to Allah Who has made such and such a month to pass and has brought such and such a month " [Al-Jam'i  Li Muammar Ibn Rashid]

حدثنا محمد بن بشر قال حدثنا سعيد عن قتادة أن نبي الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان إذا رأى الهلال قال : ' هلال خير ورشد ، هلال رشد وخير ، هلال خير ورشد ، آمنت بالذي خلقك - ثلاثا ، الحمد لله ذهب هلال كذا وكذا وجاء هلال كذا وكذا

Sayyidina Qatadah (RA) narrates when the Prophet of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) sighted the moon, he used to say three times: "A new moon of good and right guidance; a new moon of good and right guidance; a new moon of good and right guidance. I believe in Him Who created you". He would then say: "Praise be to Allah Who has made such and such a month to pass and has brought such and such a month." [Ibn Abi Sahybah]

أخبرنا عبد الرزاق قال أخبرنا معمر عن رجل عن بن المسيب قال كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا رأى الهلال قال آمنت بالذي خلقك فسواك فعدلك

Sayyidina Ibn Musayyad (RA) narrates when the Prophet of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) sighted the moon, he used to proclaim "I believe in Him Who created , then perfected you, then brought you in due proportion?" [Al-Musanaff]

أخبرنا عبد الله بن إسحاق الخراساني العدل ، ثنا أحمد بن زياد بن مهران ، ثنا أبو عامر العقدي ، ثنا سليمان بن سفيان المديني ، حدثني بلال بن يحيى بن طلحة بن عبيد الله ، عن أبيه ، عن جده - رضي الله عنه - : أن النبي - صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم - كان إذا رأى الهلال قال : " اللهم أهله علينا بالأمن والإيمان والسلامة والإسلام ، ربي وربك الله "

 Sayyidina Bilal Ibn Yahya Ibn Sufyan (RA) narrates from his father who narrates from his father that when the Prophet of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) sighted the moon, he used to say "O Allah, make the new moon shine on us with security, belief, safety and Islam! My Lord and your Lord is Allah" [Al-Mustadrak]

أَخْبَرَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِى أَبِى عَنْ أَبِيهِ وَعَمِّهِ عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ : كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- إِذَا رَأَى الْهِلاَلَ قَالَ :« اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ ، اللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالأَمْنِ وَالإِيمَانِ وَالسَّلاَمَةِ وَالإِسْلاَمِ وَالتَّوْفِيقِ لِمَا يُحِبُّ رَبُّنَا وَيَرْضَى ، رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكَ اللَّهُ »

Sayyidina Ibn Umar (RA) narrates when the Prophet of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) sighted the moon, he used to say "O Allah, let this moon (month) pass over us with blessings, Iman, safety, and in the belief of Islam. Grant us the ability to act on the actions that You love and Pleases You. (O moon) My Lord and Your Lord is Allah"." [Sunan Ad-Darimi]

عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ طَلْحَةَ بْنِ عُبَيْدِ الله , عَنْ أَبِيهِ طَلْحَةَ بْنِ عُبَيْدِ الله , أَنَّ النَّبِىَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ إِذَا رَأَى الْهِلاَلَ قَالَ اللهمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالْيُمْنِ وَالإِيمَانِ وَالسَّلاَمَةِ وَالإِسْلاَمِ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكَ الله

Talha ibn 'Ubaydullah narrates from his father who narrates from his father that when the Prophet, (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) saw the new moon, he would say, "O Allah, make the new moon shine on us with security, belief, safety and Islam! My Lord and your Lord is Allah." [Ibn HIbaaan]

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بن الْفَضْلِ السَّقَطِيُّ , حَدَّثَنَاسَعِيدُ بن سُلَيْمَانَ , عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بن إِبْرَاهِيمَ بن حَاطِبٍ , عَنْ أَبِيهِوَعَمِّهِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ , قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِوَسَلَّمَ , إِذَا رَأَى الْهِلالَ , قَالَ:اللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالأَمْنِوَالإِيمَانِ , وَالسَّلامَةِ وَالإِسْلامِ , وَالتَّوْفِيقِ لِمَا تُحِبُّ وَتَرْضَى, رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكَ اللَّهُ.

Sayyidina Ibn Umar (RA) narrates when the Prophet of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) sighted the moon, he used to say "O Allah, let this moon (month) pass over us with blessings, Iman, safety, and in the belief of Islam. Grant us the ability to act on the actions that You love and Pleases You. (O moon) My Lord and Your Lord is Allah"." [Tabarani]

حدثنا أبو موسى هارون بن عبد الله الحمال ، حدثنا أبو عامر ، حدثني سليمان بن سفيان ، قال : سمعت بلال بن يحيى بن طلحة بن عبيد الله ، يحدث ، عن أبيه ، عن جده ، قال : كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا نظر إلى الهلال قال : « اللهم أهله علينا باليمن والإيمان ، والسلامة والإسلام ، ربي وربك الله

Talha ibn 'Ubaydullah narrates from his father who narrates from his father that when the Prophet, (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) saw the new moon, he would say, "O Allah, make the new moon shine on us with security, belief, safety and Islam! My Lord and your Lord is Allah." [Musnad Abd Ibn Humayd]

أخبرنا الحسن بن سفيان ، قال : حدثنا محمد بن يحيى المروزي، قال : حدثنا سعيد بن سليمان الواسطي ، قال : حدثنا عبد الرحمن بن عثمان بن إبراهيمبن محمد بن حاطب ، عن أبيه ، وعن عمه ، عن ابن عمر ، قال : كان رسول الله صلى اللهعليه وسلم إذا رأى الهلال ، قال : « اللهم أهله علينا بالأمن والإيمان ، والسلامة والإسلام، والتوفيق لما نحب وترضى ، ربنا وربك الله

Sayyidina Ibn Umar (RA) narrates when the Prophet of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) sighted the moon, he used to say "O Allah, let this moon (month) pass over us with blessings, Iman, safety, and in the belief of Islam. Grant us the ability to act on the actions that we love and Pleases You. (O moon) My Lord and Your Lord is Allah"." [Tabarani]

أورد شيخُ الإسلام ابن تيمية -رحمه الله- في كتابه "الكلم الطيب" تحت (فصل في رؤية الهلال) حديثَ عبدِ اللهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ رضي الله عنهما, قَالَ : كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا رَأَى الْهِلالَ , قَالَ: (اللهُ أكبَرُ ! اللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالأَمْنِ وَالإِيمَانِ , وَالسَّلامَةِ وَالإِسْلامِ , وَالتَّوْفِيقِ لِمَا تُحِبُّ وَتَرْضَى , رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكَ اللهُ )

Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (RA) has mentioned in his book Al-Kalimut-Tayyib under the chapter of concerning the sighting of the moom that  Sayyidina Ibn Umar (RA) narrates when the Prophet of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) sighted the moon, he used to proclaim Allahu-Akbar and then say "O Allah, let this moon (month) pass over us with blessings, Iman, safety, and in the belief of Islam. Grant us the ability to act on the actions that we love and Pleases You. (O moon) My Lord and Your Lord is Allah"."

Prohibition of speculating the months based on the appearance (size/phase) of the moon:

حدثنا أبو بكر بن أبي شيبة حدثنا محمد بن فضيل عن حصين عن عمرو بن مرة عن أبي البختري قال خرجنا للعمرة فلما نزلنا ببطن نخلة قال تراءينا الهلال فقال بعض القوم هو ابن ثلاث وقال بعض القوم هو ابن ليلتين قال فلقينا ابن عباس فقلنا إنا رأينا الهلال فقال بعض القوم هو ابن ثلاث وقال بعض القوم هو ابن ليلتين فقال أي ليلة رأيتموه قال فقلنا ليلة كذا وكذا فقال إن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال إن الله مده للرؤية فهو لليلة رأيتموه

Abu'l-Bakhtari reported: We went out to perform Umra and when we encamped in the valley of Nakhla, we tried to see the new moon. Some of the people said: It was three nights old, and others (said) that it was two nights old. We then met Ibn 'Abbas and told him we had seen the new moon, but that some of the people said it was three nights old and others that it was two nights old. He asked on which night we had seen it; and when we told him we had seen it on such and such night, he said the Prophet of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) had said: Verily Allah deferred it till the time it is seen, so it is to be reckoned from the night you saw it. [Muslim]