Establishing the new moon by radio, telephone and telegram

Question

Can a decision be made about the sighting, or about whether the moon of the two Eids has appeared or not, on the basis of information by radio, telephone or electric wire (telegraph) — given that the government itself does not regard these inventions as reliable to such a degree that any court would decide a case on the basis of their voice?

Answer

For the moon of the two Eids testimony is necessary. For example, if on the 29th of the blessed Ramadan the horizon is not clear, the order will be given to fast the next day, counting it as the 30th of Ramadan, unless testimony of sighting the moon is obtained and that testimony is acceptable according to the principles of the Shari'a; for this, among other things, it is also…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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