Book of Fasting (1)

Fasting the month of Ramadan becomes obligatory once its crescent is sighted. If, on the clear thirtieth night, it is not sighted, they do not fast the next day. Should cloud, dust, or anything similar block the view, (2) one must fast the following day with the intention of Ramadan as a precaution, and that day will count if the crescent is later confirmed. Once it is sighted in any land, fasting becomes mandatory for everyone.

The testimony of a single upright person—even a slave or a woman—establishes the beginning of the fast. If the community has fasted thirty days on the word of one witness or because of cloudy skies and the crescent is still not seen, (3) they are not to break the fast. Anyone who sights it alone and whose testimony is rejected, or who alone sees the crescent of Shawwal, must continue fasting.

If confirmation reaches them during the day, (4) they must abstain for the remainder of that day and make it up later, (5) just like someone who reaches puberty, embraces Islam, becomes pure after menstruation or post-natal bleeding, or returns from a journey in which he had been eating.

A child capable of fasting is instructed to do so in order to become accustomed to it, and anyone unable to fast because of advanced age or a chronic illness with no hope of recovery must feed one needy person for each day missed. (6)

It is recommended for a sick person whose condition would be harmed by fasting, and for a traveler who is permitted to shorten the prayer, to break the fast; and if a resident intends to fast a day then