Uzbekistan Muslim Board: "As many days as the month of Ramadan lasts, that many days of fasting are observed"

According to the calculations of scholars, the month of Ramadan in 2025 will end in 29 days in Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan. For this reason, the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan announced that Eid al-Fitr will fall on March 30, Sunday. Additionally, the Fatwa Department of the religious authority provided an explanation regarding the ruling on fasting for 29 days.

The lunar calendar, which is followed in many countries around the world, is based on the movement of the moon in the sky. The day after the crescent (new moon) is considered the first day of the new month.

"Lunar months can be 29 or 30 days long. Therefore, the lunar year consists of 354-355 days, which is 10-11 days shorter than the Gregorian year. Just as Gregorian months can have 28 or 29 and 30 or 31 days, lunar months, including Ramadan, can sometimes be 29 and sometimes 30 days long. The difference between the lunar month and the Gregorian month is that, for example, March always has 31 days, while lunar months are determined by the appearance of the crescent...

In the teachings of Islam, the determination of the blessed month of Ramadan and the day of Eid is based on the hadith of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): 'Fast when you see the new moon and celebrate Eid when you see the new moon.'

The Prophet (peace be upon him) observed fasting during Ramadan for nine years until his passing. In most of those years, it was for twenty-nine days, and in fewer instances, it was for thirty days. In this regard, a hadith narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) mentions: 'During the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), the fasts we observed for 29 days were more than those we observed for 30 days' (Narrated by Imam Ahmad).

Thus, as many days as the month of Ramadan has, that many days of fasting are observed, and that is considered a complete fast. Therefore, it is not correct for anyone to declare that Ramadan will always be thirty days. Such a statement contradicts authentic hadiths and the consensus of scholars.

Even if the month of Ramadan is 29 days long, we will still have observed a complete month of fasting according to the verses and hadiths," stated the Fatwa Center of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan.

In connection with Eid al-Fitr falling on March 30, Sunday, the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan had announced the times for the Eid prayer.