Verifying the Rise of the New Moon and Finding Witnesses for It

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about the crescents (mentioned in the holy Quran). He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is a reference to the new moon of the months. When you see the new moon, begin fasting; when you see the…

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), would say, ‘I do not accept a testimony about seeing the crescent if it is from less than two just witnesses.’”

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘Testimony by women is not admissible in the case of seeing the crescent.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘Testimony of women about the crescent is not admissible, only the testimony of two just witnesses is accepted.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘People of al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah) must see the crescent. The Muslims must see the crescent.’”

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘When you see the crescent, then fast and when you see the crescent (again), then discontinue fasting. It is not by opinions and conjectures. If out of ten people only one says that there is…

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If the crescent disappears before al-Shafaq (redness), then it is its first night but if it disappears after al-Shafaq (redness) then it is its second night.’”

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘If the crescent of the month of Rajab is established, then count fifty nine days and fast the sixtieth day.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Count of the month of al-Sha‘ban twenty nine days; if it is cloudy then fast, but if it is clear and you looked but did not see anything, you can remain without fasting.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If they can see the crescent before Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime), then it is of the last night but if they see it after Zawal, then it is of the coming…

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if the crescent forms a crown around it, then it is two nights old and if you can see the shadow of your head it is three nights old.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If the crescent disappears before al-Shafaq (redness) it is of the first night, but if disappears after al-Shafaq it is of the second night.’”