|
"When the Hilal is confirmed at a place near or far, fasting is obligatory on all people. The ruling on those who did not see is the same as on those who saw it, even if the Matla’ (horizon) differed, fasting is compulsory." (Iqna Vol, 1 P.309).
But this would not apply to those who live on the sides of the Date line. The rules will not be same on the sides of the Date Line. For example, the people living on the Island of Samoa cannot begin the fasting with those living on the Island of Fiji even if they get the information. There is a time difference of 24 hours between them and this must be strictly adhered to. If the people of Fiji began fasting on Friday, the people of Samoa too will begin fasting on Friday but there will be a gap of 24 hours between them. Both the places begin fasting on the same Day here also. The scholars were not aware of the Date line (Matla'). |
