๐ I used to wrongly assume that if the authorities in Makkah or Madinah announced they've sighted the new moon of Ramadan, then all Muslims around the world are obliged to start fasting together with those residing in Saudi Arabia. If you were to follow that concept, it would mean that every time it is Fajr or Dhuhr time in Saudi Arabia, the Muslims in other countries would have to pray Fajr or Dhuhr with them even though it is still nighttime in their areas. It is understood that the noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam commanded us believers to fast only when we have seen the new moon indicating it is Ramadan, not to perform religious duties out of speculation or mainly because a particular country ordered, specially since the moon which revolves around the earth doesn't appear to all countries worldwide at precisely the same timing.
Muslims in a city shouldn't begin fasting until the new moon that indicates this blessed month's arrival is clearly visible to at least a number of trustworthy individuals. If they're unable to detect the new crescent due to cloudy skies or stormy weather, they can
Inn-sha-Allah contact relatives and friends who are situated in nearby locations if they have witnessed the new moon of Ramadan.
Allah the Almighty knows best.
~•~
๐ Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "The five prayers, Friday to Friday, and Ramadan to Ramadan will expiate the sins committed between them, as long as major sins are avoided."
Source: Sahih Muslim 233
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim
๐ Ibn Umar RadhiAllahu 'anhuma narrated: Whenever the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam saw the new crescent moon, he would say, "Allah is the Greatest! O Allah, bring it over us with safety and faith, peace and Islam, and guidance to what our Rabb (Allah) loves and is pleased with. Our Rabb (Allah) and your Rabb is Allah."
Source: Sunan Al-Dārimī 1729
Grade: Sahih li ghayrihi according to Al-Arna’ut
https://abdurrahman.org/2009/08/20/local-or-international-sighting-of-moon/amp/
https://abdurrahman.org/2018/05/14/moon-sighting-hilal-of-ramadan-hilal-of-shawwal/amp/
https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/17754/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%B5%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%83%D9%84-%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%AF-%D8%AD%D8%B3%D8%A8-%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%AA%D9%87-%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84
https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/7193/%D8%B9%D8%AF%D9%85-%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B7-%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D9%88%D9%85
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kLqEymr6DBg
