and so that they do not become divided, with some breaking their fast while others continue fasting. When they are united, and their day of fasting and their day of breaking the fast are one and the same, that is better and strengthens the Muslims in their unity and solidarity. This is a consideration to which the Sacred Law gives due weight.

Accordingly, if its sighting is confirmed at sunset in America, those in China must fast, despite the great difference in the horizons from which the crescent may be sighted.

The second view is that fasting is obligatory only for those who sight it, or for those who are deemed to be in the same position because their crescent horizons coincide. If their horizons do not coincide, fasting is not obligatory.

Shaykh al-Islam, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “The horizons from which the crescent may be sighted differ, as is agreed upon by those knowledgeable in astronomy. If they coincide, fasting is obligatory; otherwise, it is not.” They cite textual evidence and analogy in support of this.

As for the textual evidence:

1. Allah, Most High, says: “So whoever among you witnesses the month, let him fast it.” [al-Baqarah: 185] Those whose horizons do not coincide with that of the one who sighted it cannot be said to have witnessed it, neither in fact nor by legal consideration. Allah, Most High, has made fasting obligatory upon the one who witnesses it.

2. The Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Fast upon sighting it, and end the fast upon sighting it.” (1) He made sighting the basis for the command to fast. As for one whose horizon differs from that of the person who sighted it, it cannot be said that he has sighted it, neither in fact nor by legal consideration.