The 1984 Moon Sighting Criteria Review

A critical analysis by Eng. Qamar Uddin, under the supervision of the ICOUK Ulama Panel (Sep 2026/Jumada-I 1448) [download pdf]

Over 350 senior Ulama from the UK and abroad attended a London conference in 1984 and agreed that all efforts should be made to sight the crescent moon on the UK horizon when there is a geographical possibility, as endorsed by the Grand Mufti of India, Mufti Abdur Raheem Lajpuri (RH), as stated below:

If the moon was not sighted (when it was possible), then and only then should the news from a nearby Muslim country be used, if it arrives in a Shariah-compliant way [provided it does not break the calendar rule of 6 x 29-day and 6 x 30-day months, as the case in all equatorial countries].
On Sunday, 11 October 2026, there is no possibility of sighting the moon on the UK horizon (as it's moonset-before-sunset). Hence, it's against the principles of Shariah (as stated above/see also Tafseer Ibn Kathir 91:1-2 & 9:37) to follow foreign news, such as from South Africa, Saudi Arabia, or Morocco (which may also lead to 28-31 days month, as explained on the ICOUK website).

Therefore, we urge all UK Muslims to stop following far-distant countries by taking old Fiqh texts out of context for a city (from the 14th century, as noted in Fath al-Qadeer commentary of al-Hidaayah [Ftn1]) and causing confusion and divisions!

1. The above statement (often quoted from Ibn Abidin Shami) from 18th-century Damascus (Syria) needs to be considered against the context or communication methods of that time and the furthest travel distance of ‘sharing the night’ (i.e., sunset to moonset)?
2. What was the furthest distance from which Damascus city received news from the East (Baghdad) or the West (Cairo)? It was most probably from within the Damascus city borders (as stated in Fath al-Qadeer texts)!
3. Furthermore, the original quotation is disputed as being from Zahir Al-Riwayat of Imam Abu Hanifah, as it’s not found in any of his books. (Ref: Global Sighting is not proven in Hanafi Madhab, by Mufti Abdul Malek)

Conclusion: It is not permissible for UK Muslims to follow foreign countries like South Africa, Saudi Arabia, or Morocco.

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Ftn1:

وَإِذَا ثَبَتَ فِي مِصْرَ لَزِمَ سَائِرَ النَّاسِ فَيَلْزَمُ أَهْلَ الْمَشْرِقِ بِرُؤْيَةِ أَهْلِ الْمَغْرِبِ فِي ظَاهِرِ الْمَذْهَبِ وَقِيلَ: يَخْتَلِفُ بِاخْتِلَافِ الْمَطَالِعِ. (فتح القدير

If it is proven in a city, it is binding on all people, so the people of the East are bound to follow the sighting of the people of the West, according to the apparent doctrine. It was also said that it differs according to the difference of the horizons. (Fath al-Qadeer commentary of al-Hidaayah)