This monthly duration, which they call by the name "Ramadan," they claim—in their interpretation of His Almighty’s command in His Book—to mean nothing other than it.

As for His saying: {So whoever among you witnesses the month, let him fast it} (Al-Baqarah: 185), it indicates that the Month commanded to be fasted must be seen, because witnessing (al-mushahadah) is vision (al-ru’ya).

We find no "Month" that is truly seen except the Month believed in by the People of Pure Monotheism—which is the Manifestation (Ishtihar) of His Almighty’s existence to His servants through the Celestial and Terrestrial Appearance which they witness. They deduce from this that He is the Month commanded to be fasted. Despite this, if the name "Month" is applied to the moon and the crescent, and to the Commander of the Faithful together, how could it be correct for us to attribute His Almighty’s address to the month fasted by the Nawasib? The Messenger of God (PBUH) refuted them by saying:

"Do not say 'Ramadan,' for by God, you do not know what Ramadan is. Rather, say 'the Month of Ramadan,' as God, the Mighty and Sublime, said: {The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran} (Al-Baqarah: 185). Have you not heard His saying: {So whoever among you witnesses the month, let him fast it} (Al-Baqarah: 185)? You only witness the Month, but as for Ramadan, you are unable to witness it.