Alhamdulillah, Ramadhan 2022 approaching. InsyaAllah and we pray to be blessed with the opportunities to be in Ramadhan this year.
Once again, the same situation in the UK (a non-muslim country) is to decide collectively when Muslims in the UK should start fasting or when is the 1st Ramadhan? Historically, Muslims in the UK outsource moon sightings for Islamic months to other countries, for example, Arab Saudi or South Africa. This practice is what is embedded in the UK Muslim community because of a few reasons. But, as time moves on, the Muslim community in the UK also progress positively.
The New Cresent Society, for example, can be considered one of the leading initiatives in establishing the local UK based Islamic calendar, with local moon sighting activity and knowledge.
As for this 2022 Ramadhan, for example in the Southampton areas, there is confusing either Ramadhan will start on the 2nd of April or the 3rd. Alhamdulillah, I had some experience in local areas for moon sighting and looking forward to this evening (Friday, 1st April, 29 Sh’abn) to try sighting the moon. Although, it is expected that the (moonphases.co.uk) moon is still in the New Moon phase, and tomorrow will be a Waxing Crescent, will be a good practice to go out on the 29th to sight the moon.
IF we saw the crescent this evening (1st April 2022), tomorrow will be a new month, as we only have 29 days in Sha’ban and 1st Ramadhan will be on the 2nd April 2022.
IF we did not see the crescent (1st April 2022), automatically we will have 30 days of Sha’ban and 1st Ramadhan will be on the 3rd of April.
This practice and knowledge is something that I personally took for granted in my entire life, as I live in a Muslim country and we simply let the government authority do and announce us. Where actually, it is good to go out and look for the moon on our own.
I hope, more Muslims come out this evening and try or learn to see the moon. InshAllah you will be amazed by the power of Allah, and blessed of Ramadan will be more appreciated by you.
(Masa yang diwajibkan kamu berpuasa itu ialah) bulan Ramadan yang padanya diturunkan Al-Quran, menjadi petunjuk bagi sekalian manusia, dan menjadi keterangan-keterangan yang menjelaskan petunjuk dan (menjelaskan) perbezaan antara yang benar denagn yang salah. Oleh itu, sesiapa dari antara kamu yang menyaksikan anak bulan Ramadan (atau mengetahuinya), maka hendaklah berpuasa bulan itu; (boleh ia berbuka, kemudian wajiblah ia berpuasa), sebanyak hari yang ditinggalkan itu pada hari-hari yang lain.
Allah menghendaki kamu beroleh kemudahan, dan ia tidak menghendaki kamu menaggung kesukaran. Dan juga supaya kamu cukupkan bilangan puasa (sebulan Ramadan), dan supaya kamu membesarkan Allah kerana mendapat petunjukNya, dan supaya kamu bersyukur. ~Al Baqarah (185)
Where to look? If you used to see sunset, you will know it or visit https://www.suncalc.org/