Board of Directors & Imam

400 Crescent Ave, San Francisco, CA

February 17, 2026 / 29 Sha'ban 1447 AH

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بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

All praise is due to Allah ﷻ, and may peace and blessings be upon the Final Messenger ﷺ.

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OUR POSITION

The Islamic Center of San Francisco (ICSF) determines the beginning of Ramadan and both Eids by actual physical moon sighting (ru'yat al-hilal) — through local sighting or confirmed sighting from a reliable, geographically proximate community — in accordance with the Hanafi school of jurisprudence.

Accordingly:

• ICSF does not follow ISNA's astronomical calculation method.

• ICSF does not automatically follow Saudi Arabia's moon sighting announcements.

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EVIDENCE FROM QURAN AND SUNNAH

Allah ﷻ says:

"So whoever witnesses the month, let him fast it." (Surah al-Baqarah 2:185)

The Prophet ﷺ commanded:

"Fast upon sighting it and break your fast upon sighting it. If it is obscured from you, then complete thirty days." (Sahih al-Bukhari 1907; Sahih Muslim 1081)

These commands are clear: the beginning and end of fasting are tied to physical sighting, not calculation.

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ON FOLLOWING SAUDI ARABIA'S SIGHTING

ICSF follows local moon sighting rather than automatically deferring to Saudi Arabia's announcement. This is not a novel position — it is supported by Saudi Arabia's own scholars:

• Ibn Baz stated: "As for those who say it is necessary to follow the sighting of Makkah, there is no proof or basis for this in the Qur'an and Hadith." (Majmoo' Fataawa Ibn Baaz 15/79)

• Al-'Uthaymeen stated: "The sighting of the new moon differs according to scientists well-versed in this field. Because it differs, each country should have its own ruling.

Muslims in North America are instructed to follow the sighting as it pertains to their own region, not to rely on the announcement of a country thousands of miles away in a different horizon and time zone.

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ON ISNA'S/FCNA CALCULATION METHOD

ISNA uses pre-calculated astronomical data to establish Islamic months without requiring physical sighting. The classical Hanafi school — along with the overwhelming majority of traditional Sunni scholars — rejects this approach as contrary to the explicit Prophetic command: "Fast upon sighting it."

While we respect ISNA's service to the Muslim community, ICSF follows the classical methodology that has been the unbroken practice of the Ummah since the time of the Companions.

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TO OUR COMMUNITY

ICSF will announce the start of Ramadan and Eid through our website (icofsf.org), social media, and community notifications based on confirmed moon sighting.

We ask our community to maintain unity and respect with those who follow a different methodology. Difference of opinion on subsidiary matters is part of our tradition

May Allah ﷻ grant us a blessed Ramadan and accept our worship.

رَمَضَانُ مُبَارَكٌ

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Signed,

The Board of Directors & Imam

Islamic Center of San Francisco