السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته For the start of Dhul Hijjah, and therefore fasting the day of A'rafah, should we follow the sighting our own country or that of Saudi? Because otherwise we would have A'rafah e.g. the day after the Pilgrims already went to A'rafah. Jazakum Allahu Khairan

Imam Ibn Uthaymeen said: The correct opinion is that this matter varies depending on the sighting of the new moon in each region. For example, if the crescent moon is sighted in Makkah and that day is the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, but in another country the moon was sighted a day earlier and the Day of Arafah for them falls on the 10th, then it is not permissible for them to fast that day, as it is the day of Eid. Similarly, if the moon sighting in their region was delayed compared to Makkah, and what is the 9th in Makkah is only the 8th for them, then they would fast their own 9th day, even if it coincides with the 10th in Makkah. This is the stronger opinion, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When you see it (the new moon), then fast; and when you see it, then break your fast.” Those in regions where the moon was not sighted could not have seen it. Just as people—by unanimous agreement—determine the times of Fajr and Maghrib locally, so too should the monthly lunar timings be based on local sightings, just like the daily timings. (Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā, vol. 20)