---
title: "What is Moon sighting? | IslamicOpenFinance™"
description: "Observing the new crescent moon to determine the start of a Hijri month; it decides the dates of Ramadan and the Eid holidays."
url: https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/moon-sighting/
lang: en-GB
source: "IslamicOpenFinance"
---

[Glossary](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/) / [Calendar, settlement and markets](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/#calendar)

Calendar, settlement and markets

# Moon sighting

Observing the new crescent moon to determine the start of a Hijri month; it decides the dates of Ramadan and the Eid holidays.

Moon sighting, ruyat al-hilal, is the observation of the new crescent after sunset to determine the start of a Hijri month. Many countries announce the start of Ramadan, Shawwal and Dhu al-Hijjah only after an official sighting, while others rely on astronomical calculation or a combination of both. Because Eid holidays depend on these announcements, banks, exchanges and payment systems in those countries may confirm their holiday dates only shortly beforehand.

This entry explains a term; it is not a Shariah ruling. Approving a product is for each institution's own Shariah board and regulator.

## Related terms

[**Hijri calendar** The Islamic lunar calendar of twelve months, used for religious dates, zakat and, in some markets, official and business dates.](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/hijri-calendar/) [**Lunar month** A month that begins with the new crescent moon and lasts twenty-nine or thirty days; the unit of the Hijri calendar.](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/lunar-month/) [**Business day** A day on which banks, markets or payment systems in a given place are open; the unit for due dates and settlement.](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/business-day/) [**Value date** The date on which a payment or transfer is due to take effect and funds become available to the receiver.](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/value-date/)

**Calendar, settlement and markets**

1. [Hijri calendar](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/hijri-calendar/)
2. [Lunar month](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/lunar-month/)
3. [Hawl](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/hawl/)
4. [Business day](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/business-day/)
5. [Value date](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/value-date/)
6. [Settlement finality](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/settlement-finality/)
7. [T+n settlement](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/t-plus-n/)
8. [Delivery versus payment](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/delivery-versus-payment/)

[All 221 terms](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/)