(9) Kuanza kwa Ramadhani kunathibitishwa kwa kuonekana kwa mwezi mpya, au kwa kukamilika kwa siku thelathini za Sha'baan. Yeyote atakayeona mwandamo wa mwezi mpya au kusikia habari zake kutoka kwa chanzo kinachoaminika analazimika kufunga.

(9) The onset of Ramadaan is confirmed by the sighting of the new moon, or by the completion of thirty days of Sha’baan. Whoever sees the crescent of the new moon or hears about it from a trustworthy source is obliged to fast.

Kutumia hesabu kubainisha mwanzo wa Ramadhani ni bid'ah, kwa sababu hadithi ya Mtume ﷺ inasema wazi: "Fungeni mnapouona (mwezi mpya), na mfungue mnapouona." Ikiwa Mwislamu mtu mzima, mwenye akili timamu, mwaminifu, anayeaminika, mwenye macho mazuri, anasema kwamba ameuona mwezi kwa macho yake mwenyewe, basi tunapaswa kukubali neno lake na kutenda ipasavyo (yaani, kuanza kufunga).

Using calculations to determine the onset of Ramadaan is bid’ah, because the hadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) clearly states: “Fast when you see it (the new moon) and break your fast when you see it.” If an adult, sane, trustworthy, reliable Muslim who has good eyesight says that he has seen the crescent with his own eyes, then we should take his word for it and act accordingly (i.e., start fasting).