Cairo – Arab Canada News

The Egyptian Fatwa House responded to the controversy that arose recently regarding the determination of the beginning of Eid al-Fitr for the year 1446 AH / 2025 CE, confirming that its announcement stating that Monday, March 31, is the first day of the holiday came according to a clear legal and scientific methodology, with no conflict between the legitimate sighting and astronomical calculations.

In an official statement, the Fatwa House clarified that the basis for establishing the entry of lunar months is the sighting of the crescent with the naked eye, based on the Prophet's saying, peace be upon him: “Fast when you see it and break your fast when you see it; if it is obscured from you, then complete the number of Sha'ban thirty days” (narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

The statement added that the Fatwa House relies on a methodology that combines textual evidences and precise astronomical calculations, where astronomical calculations are used only to negate the possibility of sighting if it has been scientifically proven to be impossible, not to establish the entry of the month.

It emphasized that its decision regarding the completion of the month of Ramadan on Sunday, and considering Monday as the first day of Eid, came after the crescent could not be sighted on the evening of Saturday, March 29, which is consistent with the rules of Sharia and the data of modern science.

“There is no conflict between religion and science”

The Fatwa House stressed in concluding its statement that the noble Sharia does not conflict with science, but rather complements it, especially regarding the legal timings that rely on observation and precision, calling on everyone to adhere to the approved Sharia methodology and not to be led astray by debates that are not based on knowledge.