DETERMINING THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH OF RAMADAN

The obligation of fasting the month of Ramadan becomes incumbent upon the occurrence of one of two matters: to sight the crescent of Ramadan after the sunset of the 29th day of Sha^ban (the month directly preceding Ramadan) or, if the crescent is not seen, then completing 30 days of Sha^ban. So, the beginning of the month of Ramadan, as well as the end of the month is determined by sighting the crescent, and if not cited, then by completing the month with 30 days--as is the case with determining all the months of the lunar calendar.