There Are Five Ways to Establish the First Day of a Month
Issue No. 1456- The first day of a month is established in the following five ways:1- Sighting the moon with a naked eye: It is not sufficient to sight the moon with telescopes and other similar means.2- When some persons, though unjust, confirm to have sighted the moon in a way that one becomes assured, or anything else that leads to certainty. 3- When two just persons testify that they have sighted the moon. However, if their des c r i p tions differ about the new moon, or there are indications suggesting that they are wrong, then the first day of the month will not be established by their statements.4- When thirty days pass from the first of Sha’ban, the first day of the month of Ramadan will be established. Similarly, when thirty days pass from the 1st of Ramadan, the 1st of Shawwal will be established (obviously, this is true only if the first of the previous month was proved by the same method).5- When a Mujtahid (jurist) annonces the first day of a month. That is if the first of a month is proved to a just Mujtahid, and, he issues a statement announcing the first of the month, then, it is necessary for everyone to follow him, except for a person who is sure of his mistake.
