In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Grantor of Mercy

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, companions, and true followers. To proceed:

The Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America congratulates all Muslims on the upcoming Eid al-Fitr. We ask Allah to accept from all of us and free us from the Hellfire.

Firstly, we want to clarify again AMJA’s position with regards to moon sighting. We adopt the global sighting position and only take into consideration definite calculations in terms of negating sighting, not affirming. However, due to the difficulty of waiting for the sightings in western areas, AMJA believes that it would be allowed for communities in different time zones to act upon their own sightings and the sightings of areas east to them.

Based on this, those in eastern areas are not obliged to wait for the sightings of western areas. If they can take waiting then they may do that. AMJA reiterates that the unity of people in fasting and breaking the fast is an important matter intended by the Legislator, especially people in the same city. Therefore, whenever the majority in a community adopts a legal position, the rest of the community should follow them so as to unite and not divide. This is regardless of whether that position is acting upon moon sighting or calculations.

According to the information that we have, it will not be possible to see the crescent in the east, but it may be possible to see it in limited areas in the west. The Assembly will follow the news of sightings on Monday and will announce the confirmed sightings right away inshaAllah. The final announcement will be made after the setting of the sun on the west coast since it would be too difficult for communities to wait more than that. Again, AMJA emphasizes that other time zones do not have to wait for this final announcement.

We ask Allah to accept our worship and to forgive our sins.

AMJA Resident Fatwa Committee