Making up for the missed days of Ramadan based on the difference of sighting places

Q: I underwent an operation during the month of Ramadan. People differed in our city concerning the end of the month. Some of them followed Saudi Arabia and did not observe Sawm (fast) of the thirtieth day of Ramadan. Others followed the example of other states as Algeria and completed 30 days of Sawm. Moreover, Algeria depends upon astronomy in determining the beginning and end of the month. How many days should I observe of Sawm in order to make up for these days 29 or 30 days?

A: Astronomy can not be used as a legal means to determine the beginning and end of the month of Ramadan. The valid means of determining it is sighting the new moon. If they do not sight the new moon of Ramadan during the twenty ninth night of Sha`ban, then they have to complete Sha`ban as thirty days. If they do not sight the new moon of Shawwal on the twenty ninth night of Ramadan, then they have to complete Ramadan as thirty days. Therefore, you have to observe Sawm for twenty nine days in order to make up for Sawm you have missed during the month of Ramadan because of undergoing an operation. You have to follow the example of the state that observes and breaks Sawm according to sighting the new moon.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.