Hilal
From Mw
Introduction
Contents |
[edit] New moons determine Islamic Dates
Allah has set crescent sighting as the only means for establishing dates of various Islamic occasions such as the Eed and Hajj. He says:
| “ | They ask you concerning the new moons. Say: They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for pilgrimage hajj | „ |
In particular the Messenger 
emphasized that crescent sighting is required in determining the beginning and the end of the month of Ramadaan. A large number of Companions reportet that the Messenger said: "Fast when you see the crescent. If it is obscured to you, then complete thirty days of Sha'aban. And break your fast when you see the crescent. If it is obscured to you then fast thirty days."Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
The Prophet took great care to determine precisely the beginning of Sha'aban, because one can count twenty nine days and watch for the crescent of Ramadan or complete thirty days before starting to fast. Aisha said: The Messenger of Allaah used to be more concerned about determining the beginning of Sha'baan than about other months. Then he used to fast at the sighting [of the crescent of Ramadan. If it were obscured, he would count thirty days of Sha'aban then fast" Ahmad and Abu Dawood
[edit] Witnesses needed to establish the month
The scholars agree that two trustworthy Muslim witnesses are sufficient to establish moon sighting. This is based on the reports of a large number of Companions, that the Messenger of Allaah said: "If two just muslims testify (that they saw it) then fast or break your fast" Darqutnee and Ahmad
Many other scholars, however further believe that only one trustworthy person's testimony may be accepted as a basis for determining the beginning of the month. The basis for this is that Ibn Umar said: "People were looking for the crescent of Ramadan. I informed the Prophet that I saw it. So he fasted [on the following day] and ordered the people to fast." Abu Dawood
[edit] Astronomical Evidence
Some people suggest using astronomical computations either exclusively or partially for determining the visibility and preciseness of crescent sightings. This is not a new suggestion, as it was raised at the earliest times of Islaam and the Prophet rejected it. Ibn Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah said: "We are an illiterate nation. We do not use astronomical writing or computation [for our fasting]. A month is so and so (and he pointed with his hands three times, folding the thumb on the third time, meaning twenty-nine days) or so and so (and he pointed with his hands three times, meaning thirty days)" Al-Bukhari and Muslim and Abu Dawood.
Abu Dawood's narration further adds: "Thus Ibn Umar used to end his fasting with the rest of the people without relying on these computations".
This shows that the Messenger wanted to keep this worship simple and at the level of the common people, away from the influence of control of specialized scientific knowledge (whether sound or doubtful). This shows as well, as Ibn Tayymiyah stated, that the description of this nation here as being illiterate is one of praise in that the nation is independent of any complicated means in the performance of its basic acts of worship. Anyone who rejects this would indeed overstep the concensus of the scholars and would spoil the beauty and simplicity of this religion, and worst of all, would be bluntly disobeying the Messenger of Allah .
[edit] Misconception: The true beginning of a month
A very common misconception and a great concern for many people is that if we do not do our utmost to confirm (by astronomical evidence or otherwise) the testimonies of those who claim to have seen the moon then we might run the risk of nullifying some of our worship by fasting on wrong days. This approach is rejected on several grounds:
- It involves casting doubt about the truthfulness of just muslims. This is forbidden in the texts of the Qur'aan and the Sunnah
- It conflicts with the practice of the Messenger of Allaah
who acted on the sighting of the people without delay and without comparing it with astronomical evidence.
- It resembles the behaviour of the Jews who tightened the laws on themselves. Therefore Allah punished them by making their laws even more stringent. The Messenger of Allaah said: "Beware of exaggeration in religion. Indeed, those before you were destroyed because of their exaggeration in religion" Nasaa'ee
- It displays an ignorance of when an Islamic month really begins. This point is explained by Ibn Tayymiyah:
"Many people think that once the new moon rises in the skies, regardless of whether the people see it or not that night would be the first of the month. This is not correct! It should appear to the people and they should see it to start the month. That is why the Messenger of Allaah said: "[True] fasting starts on the day that your start" which means: this is the day you know as being the time to fast. If you did not know it, then it would carry no value for you". [Al Fataawaa 5/203]
This view is further clarified by the following narration: Abu al-Bukhturee said: "We went to the Minor Pilgrimage and saw the crescent of Ramadan at Dhaatu-Irq. It seemed to have been two or three nights old. Later, we met Ibn Abbaas and mentioned this to him. Ibn Abbaas informed us that Allaah's Messenger said: "Allah has set crescent sighting as an indication of Ramadaan. Thus Ramadaan starts on the night that you see it. If it is obscured, then complete the count". Muslim
But what if those claimed sighting of the new moon were lying or mistaken? As long as they are apparently acceptable and trustworthy muslims, we must follow their testimony and fast (or end the fast). We have absolutely no right to reject their testimony without a definite proof (applying the means which conform with the Sunnah, as outlined above). If they happen to be indeed lying then the sin will be only theirs, and we will be rewarded, if Allaah wills, for sticking of the Sunnah.
[edit] Unification of Sighting Locations
The above hadeeths carry a general command to all muslims to abide by the crescent sighting. In the same spirit, Abu Hurairah, Aa'eshah and others reported that the Messenger of Allaah said: "[True] fasting starts on the day that you start fasting; [true] Fitr (that is Eed) is on the day that you end your fasting; [true] Adhaa (that is Eed) is on the day that you offer your sacrifice". Abu Dawood and Tirmidhi
Thus, when the moon is sighted anywhere on the earth, by at least one trustworthy muslim, this means that the whole Ummah has sighted it. Based on this, as the above hadith indicates all members of the Ummah are required to observe the new month as long as the information reaches them in a reasonable amount of time to be able to act upon it.
[edit] Deobandi Opinion
The co-founder of Dar al-Uloom Deoband, Maulana Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi said[1]:
If the people of Calcutta sighted the moon in Friday, whereas it was sighted in Makkah on Thursday itself, but the people of Calcutta did not know of it (the sighting on Thursday); then whenever they come to know of this, it will be obligatory for them to celebrate eid with the people of Makkah and make up (Qada’) for the first fasting.
and[2]:
Wherever the sighting is confirmed, however far off it may be, even if it were to be thousands of miles; the people of this place will have to abide by that.
and[3]:
Question: There has been some dispute in Amritsar etc. regarding sighting of moon for Ramdhan and Eid ul fitr. So should we the residents of Mandla (CP), which is located very far off, follow that sighting or not? Answer: In the maslak of Hanafiyyah, there is no consideration of Ikhtilaf al Matale’ (difference in sighting); the sighting of the people of east is binding upon the people of the west and vice versa. This is also demanded by the hadith (soomoo li ru iyatihi we aftaroo li ru iyatihi) “Fast when it is sighted and stop fasting when it is sighted”, because the address ‘soomoo’ and ‘aftaroo’ is ‘aam (general) and for everyone. In conclusion, when sighting is confirmed in whichever place, everyone is supposed to start his fast and break it in accordance with it, i.e when the sighting is confirmed.
Mufti Kifayatullah[4]:
Irrespective of how far the news of sighting came from, it is to be relied upon. For instance if the people of Burma did not sight the moon, and a person from Bombay testifies to them of having sighted the moon; it will be incumbent upon the people of Burma to make up for the (first) fasting i.e. Qada’.
Maulana Amjad Ali[5]:
When the moon is sighted in one place it is not just for that region but for the entire world.
[edit] Barlevi Opinion
The founder of the Barlevi's, Maulana Ahmad Raza Khan[6]:
| In the correct and authentic mazhab of our Imams, with regard to the sighting of moon for Ramdhan and eid, distance of the place of sighting is of no consideration. The sighting of the east is binding upon west and vice versa i.e. the sighting of west is similarly binding on east. |
[edit] References
- ↑ Maulana Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi, Sharh Tirmizi (Explanation of Tirmizi), Kaukab un Durri, pg 336, Urdu edition
- ↑ Fatawa Dar ul Uloom Deoband, Vol. 6 page 380, Urdu edition
- ↑ Fatawa Dar ul Uloom Deoband, Vol 6 page 385 & 386, Urdu edition
- ↑ Ta’leem ul Islam, vol. 4, section sighting of moon: Urdu edition
- ↑ Bahar e Sharee’at, Vol 2 page 108, Urdu edition
- ↑ , Fatawa Rizwi; Vol 4 page 568, Urdu edition
