If people fast for thirty days due to cloud cover, is it permissible to break the fast if one secretly sees the moon that it is Shawwal?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Fasting
Primary text
If people fast due to cloud cover, they do not break the fast unanimously. This is because the fasting was undertaken as a precautionary measure, and it cannot be undone by such a private realization. The realization of the moon by an individual does not supersede the collective adherence to the precautionary fast.
Supporting text
Al-Shafi'i permits the one who secretly sees the moon to eat because he is certain it is Shawwal, similar to when proof is established. However, the sound position is that it is not permissible, as the Caliph Umar severely rebuked one who broke his fast based on his own sighting when the people were fasting based on cloud cover. Aisha stated that only the Imam and the Muslim community break the fast on Eid day, and this was not contradicted in her time, suggesting consensus. Furthermore, it is a day established as part of Ramadan, so breaking it is impermissible, unlike when proof is established for Shawwal.