Discussion of various schools of thought
| The controversy of marking the start of Ramadan / Eid, whether by moon sighting or other means has been the topic of discussion for many years. This controversy is even more so in western nations where various Muslim communities follow different schools of thought to celebrate Ramadan and Eid. The controversy becomes even more heated as Muslims belonging to the same mosque hold to their own views of moon sighting and marking the beginning of Ramadan / Eid. |
|
The following provides sources of information that discuss various schools of thought on the subject of Hilal and moon sighting.
- The opinion of Sheikh Al-Munajjid from Saudi-Arabia is included later on this page
- At the end, visit a link posted by ISNA (Islamic Society of North America) the title of which is "The Astronomical Calculations: A Fiqhi Discussion"
- Hilal-Sighting.com provides hilal sighting information based on astronomical data.
Sheikh Muajjid's Opinion on Moon Sighting (Islam-Qa.com)
Question: It is not possible to see the new moon with the naked eye before it is 30 hours old, and in addition to that, it is sometimes not possible to see it at all because of the weather conditions. On this basis, is it permissible to resort to using astronomical information to calculate the likely time for sighting the new moon and the start of Ramadaan, or do we have to actually sight the new moon before we start fasting the blessed month of Ramadaan?
Answer:
Praise be to Allah.
It is permissible to use telescopes etc. to sight the moon, but it is not permissible to rely on astronomical data to confirm the beginning or end of the blessed month of Ramadaan, because Allah has not prescribed that for us in His Book or in the Sunnah of His Prophet (saws) (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). What He has prescribed for us is to confirm the beginning and end of Ramadaan bysighting the new moon of Ramadaan to start fasting, and the new moon of Shawwaal to end the fast and gather to offer the Eid prayers. Allah has made the new moons to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the Hajj, so it is not permissible for Muslims to use any other method to determine the times for acts of worship such as fasting, celebrating Eid, performing Hajj, fasting for two months as expiation (kafaarah) for killing someone by mistake or divorcing one’s wife by zihaar, and so on. Allah says (interpretation of the meanings):
“… So whoever among you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadaan), he must observe sawm (fast) that month…” [al-Baqarah 2:185]
“They ask you (O Muhammad) about the new moons. Say: these are signs to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the pilgrimage…” [al-Baqarah 2:189]
The Prophet (saws) (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Fast when you see it [the newmoon] and stop fasting when you see it, and if it is cloudy then complete the month with thirty days.” On this basis, the one who does not see the new moon from the time it rises on a clear or cloudy night must complete the month (of Sha’baan) with thirty days. (
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/100). This is the case if the sighting of the new moon is not confirmed in another country; if the moon is sighted according to the guidelines of Sharee’ah, then fasting is obligatory, according to the majority of scholars. And Allah knows best.
Liquid error (templates/article line 27): Could not find asset snippets/relatedblogs.liquid
Hilal Moon Sighting
Discussion of various schools of thought
The following provides sources of information that discuss various schools of thought on the subject of Hilal and moon sighting.
Sheikh Muajjid's Opinion on Moon Sighting (Islam-Qa.com)
Question: It is not possible to see the new moon with the naked eye before it is 30 hours old, and in addition to that, it is sometimes not possible to see it at all because of the weather conditions. On this basis, is it permissible to resort to using astronomical information to calculate the likely time for sighting the new moon and the start of Ramadaan, or do we have to actually sight the new moon before we start fasting the blessed month of Ramadaan?
Answer:
Praise be to Allah.
It is permissible to use telescopes etc. to sight the moon, but it is not permissible to rely on astronomical data to confirm the beginning or end of the blessed month of Ramadaan, because Allah has not prescribed that for us in His Book or in the Sunnah of His Prophet (saws) (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). What He has prescribed for us is to confirm the beginning and end of Ramadaan bysighting the new moon of Ramadaan to start fasting, and the new moon of Shawwaal to end the fast and gather to offer the Eid prayers. Allah has made the new moons to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the Hajj, so it is not permissible for Muslims to use any other method to determine the times for acts of worship such as fasting, celebrating Eid, performing Hajj, fasting for two months as expiation (kafaarah) for killing someone by mistake or divorcing one’s wife by zihaar, and so on. Allah says (interpretation of the meanings):
“… So whoever among you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadaan), he must observe sawm (fast) that month…” [al-Baqarah 2:185]
“They ask you (O Muhammad) about the new moons. Say: these are signs to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the pilgrimage…” [al-Baqarah 2:189]
The Prophet (saws) (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Fast when you see it [the newmoon] and stop fasting when you see it, and if it is cloudy then complete the month with thirty days.” On this basis, the one who does not see the new moon from the time it rises on a clear or cloudy night must complete the month (of Sha’baan) with thirty days. (Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/100). This is the case if the sighting of the new moon is not confirmed in another country; if the moon is sighted according to the guidelines of Sharee’ah, then fasting is obligatory, according to the majority of scholars. And Allah knows best. Liquid error (templates/article line 27): Could not find asset snippets/relatedblogs.liquid