If people fast thirty days based on two witnesses, but do not see the Shawwal moon, what is the ruling on breaking the fast?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Fasting
Primary text
If people fast thirty days based on the testimony of two witnesses but do not see the Shawwal moon, they break the fast unanimously. The basis is that the obligation to fast is lifted upon completion of the required count, regardless of subsequent testimony, analogous to how lineage is established by birth, even if the specific proof of birth is not accepted for a direct claim.
Supporting text
If they fast based on one witness and do not see the moon, there are two views. The first is that they do not break the fast, based on the Hadith stating: 'And if two testify, then fast and break the fast,' and because breaking the fast should not rely on the testimony of one person, like the sighting of the Shawwal moon itself. The second view, held by al-Shafi'i and attributed to Abu Hanifa, is that they break the fast, because when the obligation to fast is lifted due to completing the count, the breaking is established by that completion, not solely by the testimony.