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Topic: Using Astronomical Calculations as an Aid in Sighting the Hilaal
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 abu.talhah.a
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Member
Posts: 136
Joined: Nov 2002
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Assalaamu alaikum.
The following question was asked, does anyone know of any fatawa by the Ulamaa in this regard?
Jazakumullaah khair
Wassalaamu alaikum.
Aslam
Can we use astronomical methods as an aid in the sighting of the moon? Since some organizations say that 'since the sighting of the moon is not possible on such and such date in such and such counrty, we will not look for the moon on that day, and this Eid most likely will be on the next day.' Like for example what the organization ISNA have stated and which many people are following...
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E i d u l F i t r 1 4 2 3
The National Shura Council held a conference call on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 to discuss the time of the upcoming Eid. After lengthy discussion, it was concluded that astronomical data indicates that it is impossible to sight the new crescent anywhere in North America on Wednesday, December 4, 2002, the 29th day of Ramadan. It is almost certain that Eid ul Fitr will fall on Friday, December 6th. As such, Muslim communities may make arrangements for Eid prayer on December 6th. However, the National Shura Council will continue to follow its standard procedures by being open to receive any reports of moon sighting on Wednesday, December 4th. For confirmation of the declaration of Eid, please call the ISNA headquarters after 9:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on December 4th. Eid Mubarak.
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this message was taken from the ISNA website 12/2/2002
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| shahid393
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Member
Posts: 297
Joined: Sep 2002
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from fatwa-online:
Question: Is it permissible for a Muslim to rely upon astronomical calculations in order to establish the beginning and ending of fasting or is it a must that the new moon is seen?
Response: The Islaamic Sharee'ah is a merciful legislation and is general. Its rulings are appropriate to all of man and jinn upon their differing status whether they be scholars or illiterate, city people or villagers and for this reason Allaah made it easy for them the way to establish the timings of different forms of worship. He made signs showing their beginning and end times all these people can participate in establishing that. He made, for example the disappearing of the sun a sign for the beginning time of the Maghrib prayer and for the ending time of the 'Asr prayer. He made the setting of the red horizon a sign for the beginning time of the 'Ishaa. prayer. He made the sighting of the new moon after it had been hidden at the end of the previous month a sign for the beginning of the new lunar month and for the end of the previous month and he did not burden us to establish the beginning of the lunar month by means that only a few people know, that being knowledge of the stars and the science of astronomy. In this manner did the text from the Book (the Qur.aan) and the Sunnah make the sighting of the new moon and it being spotted as a sign for the Muslims to begin fasting the month of Ramadhaan as was the sighting of the new moon of Shawwaal a sign to stop fasting. The situation is also the same when establishing the `Eed of sacrifice and the day of 'Arafah. Allaah ('azza wa jal) said: {So he who from amongst you should witness the month should fast it} [Soorah al-Baqarah, Aayah 185]. And Allaah ('azza wa jal) said: {They ask you about the new moons, say these are signs to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the pilgrimage [Soorah al-Baqarah, Aayah 189]. And the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) said: ((When you see it (the new moon) then (start to) fast and when you see it (again) break your fast (stop fasting). If your vision was impaired (due to clouds or mist) complete the period of thirty days)). So he (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) ordained that fasting start by affirming the sighting of the new moon of Ramadhaan and the end of the month of fasting be by affirmation of the new moon of Shawwaal. He (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) did not link any of that to astronomical calculations nor to the movement of stars. Based upon this, the people acted in the time of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and in the time of the righteous Khaleefahs, the four Imaams and the three generations that the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) bore witness to, with virtue and goodness. So going back to the science of astronomy to affirm the lunar months in beginning and ending forms of worship without actual sighting is from the innovations that has no good in it and has no basis in the Sharee'ah. And the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is holding fast to that which the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and the righteous predecessors were upon by affirming the beginning and the end of the month of Ramadhaan, the `Eeds and the times of Hajj and their like with the sighting of the moon. And all good is in following the predecessors in religious matters and all evil is in the innovations that were introduced into the religion. May Allaah protect us and all the Muslims from all trials, open or hidden.
And with Allaah lies all the success, and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet Muhammad (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions.
The Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Fataawa, comprising -
Head: Shaykh 'Abdul 'Azeez ibn Abdullaah ibn Baaz;
Deputy Head: Shaykh 'Abdur-Razzaaq 'Afeefee;
Member: Shaykh 'Abdullaah Ibn Ghudayyaan;
Member: Shaykh 'Abdullaah ibn Munay
Fataawa Ramadhaan - Volume 1, Page 60-61, Fatwa No.27;
Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa.imah lil-Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa. - Fatwa No.386
from spubs.com:
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 (S) rejected it. Ibn Umar reported that the Messenger of Allaah (S) 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)" [Bukhaaree and Muslim and Abu Daawood].
Abu Daawood'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 (S) 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 Taymiyah 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 Allaah (S).
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 fsting on wrong days. This approach is rejected on several grounds:
1. It involves casting doubt about the truthfulness of just muslims. This is forbidden in the texts of the Qur'aan and the Sunnah
2. It conflicts with the practice of the Messenger of Allaah (S) who acted on the sighting of the people without delay and without comparing it with astronomical evidence.
3. It resembles the behaviour of the Jews who tightened the laws on themselves. Therefore Allaah punished them by making their laws even more stringent. The Messnger of Allaah (S) said: "Beware of exaggeration in religion. Indeed, those before you were destroyed because of their exaggeration in religion" [Nasaa'ee]
4. It displays an ignorance of when an Islamic month really begins. This point is explained by Ibn Taymiyah:
"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 (S) 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 Ramadaan 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 (S) said: "Allaah 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.
shahid williams
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| abu.talhah.a
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Member
Posts: 136
Joined: Nov 2002
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Jazakallaahu khairan wa baarakallaahu feek.
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02-12-2002 @ 12:00 AM
03-12-2002 @ 12:00 AM