What is the ruling regarding following another city's sighting when horizons differ significantly?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Fasting
Primary text
The ruling is that each locality must rely on its own sighting when the geographical separation prevents shared horizons, as indicated by the disagreement between Ibn Abbas (following Medina's sighting) and Mu'awiyah (following Sham's sighting) concerning the start of Ramadan. The report of Kurayb indicates that following another region's sighting is not automatically required, as Ibn Abbas stated, "Thus we were commanded by the Messenger of God (peace be upon him)." This implies that the command is tied to local witnessing or established communal practice.
Supporting text
Some scholars argue that the hadith of Kurayb only proves that the people of Medina did not break their fast based solely on Kurayb's report, which is agreed upon. The actual point of divergence concerns the obligation to make up the first day missed, which is not explicitly settled in that hadith.