Difficulty in sighting the moon in industrialized areas

Question: 37743

In my area it is belive that one can not see the first moon due to the fact that there are many industry .what do you say to this. and what is the size of the first moon.

Answer

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.

It is not difficult to sight the new moon when it appears. Although it may be difficult to sight it in some places because there is too much smoke, it will not be difficult to sight it in other areas where the sky is clearer.

No matter how high smoke and buildings may be, they can never cover the moon like the clouds. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) has told us that if it is cloudy and we cannot see the new moon, then we must complete the month of Sha’baan and regard it as having thirty days.

So either the new moon can be seen through the smoke and buildings, in which case we should fast when it is seen;

Or it can be seen in another place where the sky is clearer, so we should fast when it is seen;

Or it is too cloudy and we cannot see it, so we should regard Sha’baan as having thirty days.

With regard to the size of the new moon when it appears, it is very small and cannot be seen except by one who has good eyesight.

And Allaah knows best.

For more information see the answer to question no. 1226, 1248, 1602.

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