THIRD REMINDER: Yaumul Ahad 27th day of Shaabaan (Sunday 13th May). CAN WE BE UNITED TO START FASTING SAME DAY AS MUSLIMS?. Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem. Let's continue from the first and second reminder. The issue of whether the difference in moon sighting matters or not is a theoretical matter in which there is room for ijtihaad (decision making process). Even people of great knowledge and piety differed concerning this matter. This is a type of difference which is acceptable, where the one who makes ijtihaad and gets it right will have two rewards, one for his ijtihaad and the other for getting it right, and the one who gets it wrong will be rewarded for his ijtihaad.  The scholars differed concerning this matter and there are two points of view. One is that the difference in moon sighting matters and the other is that it does not matter. Each group quotes evidence from the Qur’aan and Sunnah, and sometimes they quote the same text, such as when they both quote the verse  “They ask you (O Muhammad) about the new moons. Say: These are signs to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the pilgrimage”[al-Baqarah 2:189]. and the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), “Fast when you see it and stop fasting when you see it.” That is because of different understandings of the texts, and different ways in which each group derives evidence from them.  Based on the considerations that the Council has seen and examined, and based on the fact that the difference of opinion on this matter does not have any effect that may lead to undesirable consequences, since this religion appeared fourteen centuries ago and we do not know of any period during which the ummah was united in moon sighting, the members of the Council of Senior Scholars think that matters should be left as they are and that this subject should not be stirred up. Each Islamic state should have the right to choose whichever opinion it wishes, based on the suggestions of its own scholars, because each view has its evidence and proofs.  The Council of Scholars has studied the issue of proving the new moon by means of calculation, and what has been narrated in the Qur’an and Sunnah, and they have studied the comments of the scholars on this matter. They have decided unanimously that astronomical calculations carry no weight in determining the new moon with regard to Islamic matters, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Fast when you see it and stop fasting when you see it.” And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not fast until you see it, and do not stop fasting until you see it.” And because of other evidence to that effect. May ALLAH keep guiding us all and protect us from any satanic influences. Aameen.