Fasting: How Can the End of Ramadan Be Validated by a Marjiʿ’s Declaration?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Fasting: How Can the End of Ramadan Be Validated by a Marjiʿ’s Declaration?

English:

Question #839:

As you know, most Islamic scholars have written in their books on practical laws that the beginning of Shawwāl can be proved through five methods. However, that the end of Ramadan is ascertained by ḥākim of shar‘ is not among those methods. Thereby, how can most people break their fasts when the beginning of Shawwāl is ascertained by marji‘s?

Answer #839:

Until a mujtahid issues a decree announcing the sighting of the new crescent, the mere ascertaining of it by him is not sufficient for others to follow him, unless they are convinced thereby of the end of Ramadan.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Fasting