This is an attempt to present a clear perspective of the science of moon-sighting and to clarify some of the common misconceptions about moon-sighting.

Main Factors for Crescent Visibility

Most people associate visibility with the age of the moon. The age of the moon is simply the time lapsed since the new moon. Crescent formation depends upon the angular separation of the moon from the sun as seen from the earth. As time passes from the instant of new moon, the moon moves slower than the sun appears to move (because of rotation of the earth). This causes the angular separation between the sun and the moon and the formation of the crescent. This may be explained better with the help of the following figure.

In the Name of Allah, the Ever Merciful, the Most Compassionate

The excellence of this night in the last ten days of Ramadhaan is well known.The Prophet (SAWS) said:

"Whoever stands (in prayer) Laylatul-Qadr out of Faith and seeking reward, then his previous sins are forgiven." (Bukhari)

And the special du'a for this night is:

Allaahumma, innaka `Afuuwwun, tuHibbul `afwa, fa`fuu `annii

(Oh Allah, you are the One who pardons greatly, you love to pardon, so pardon me) [from the hadiith in at-Tirmithii and ibn-Majah -sahiih]

It has signs, for the Messenger (SAWS) said,

Abû Hurayra radiyallahu `anhu relates that the Holy Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said:

"Whosoever worshipped on Laylatul-Qadr, with faith and with a sincere intention, all of his previous sins are forgiven." (from al-Bukhârî and Muslim)

From the nights of the blessed month of Ramadan, one is known as Laylatul-Qadr and during it, blessings, rewards and an abundance of good can be gained.

Allah Most high has made worship during this night worth than a thousand months, i.e. anyone who spent this night in worship, would have worshipped an equivalent of eighty three years and four months - khayru(n)m-minalfi shahr

Ramadan comes with blessings to the Muslims.

The reports from the Qur'an and the Sunnah encourage an increase in action to get reward as we saw and also out of gratefulness to Allah who says [in meaning]:

"(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must glorify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him" [al-Baqara, 2:185]

and similarly about Hajj;

"So when you have accomplished your rites (of Hajj) remember Allah as you remember your fathers or with a far greater remembrance" [al-Baqara, 2:200]

1 - Eating the Suhoor (the pre-dawn meal)

Suhoor is distinctive of the Ummah of Muhammad salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam;

When was the last time you cried? Not a few drops of salty water from your eyes, or the odd tear that slipped down your face while watching Muhammad, the Palestinian boy screaming in agony.

I’m talking about a flood of tears that won’t stop. Tears that stain your face. Tears that sting your face because they’ve been there so long, their bitter saltiness hurts your skin.

When was the last time you cried like a baby. Back when you, and all of us, were closer to our Fitra, our true nature.

There are many virtues of Ramadan and fasting expressed in the Qur'an and in the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam. If only one of these virtues was told to us it would have been enough motivation to perfect our fasting seeking that reward and the pleasure of Allah, but it is again from the mercy of Allah that He taught us many virtues of fasting so that we get encouraged even more. I will focus mainly on the virtues of forgiveness, salvation from Hell fire and reward of Paradise, but before that I shall mention few other virtues that are not less important than the latter.