Is it permissible for countries to differ in determining the crescent of Dhu al-Hijjah and the Day of Arafah, and is Eid linked to the rituals of Hajj in Saudi Arabia?

Verified scholars hold that the difference in moonrise (matali') is considered for all months, and the hadith of Kurayb with Ibn 'Abbas testifies to this. Ibn 'Abbas did not take into account the sighting of the crescent moon by the people of Syria, justifying it by stating that the Messenger of Allah, peace and be upon him, commanded it. It is understood from the hadith that Muslims were one state, yet Ibn 'Abbas did not accept Mu'awiya's sighting, just as the difference in the time of sunset between countries confirms this consideration.

Based on this, there is no blame upon Muslims for their disagreement regarding the beginning and end of fasting and the determination of the Day of 'Arafah and Eid, as long as their moonrises differ. The criterion is sighting or completing the month. One who fasts on the Day of 'Arafah later than the people of Makkah is not to be criticized if Eid has not yet arrived for him. As for the people of a single country with a unified moonrise, they are required to agree on fasting and Eid. If the people of a country differ in moonrise, and some of them adopt the sighting of another country before their own, acting upon a valid opinion that disregards the difference in moonrises, then they are not to be condemned, for there is latitude in the matter.