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Hijra Calendar HIJRA CALENDAR DISCUSSION FORUM The Islamic calendar (Hijra calendar) is a purely lunar calendar. It contains 12 months that are based on the motion of the moon, and because 12 synodic months is only 12 x 29.53=354.36 days, the Islamic calendar is consistently shorter than a tropical year, and therefore it shifts with respect to the Christian calendar. The calendar is based on the Qur'an (Sura IX, 36-37) and its proper observance is a sacred duty for Muslims. Unfortunately some Muslim astronomers have suggested that lunar date lines should be marked on the world map for the Muslims to begin their fasting and celebrating their Eid. This would be according to the first visibility of the crescent. The so-called curved lunar date lines always keep on changing and they pass through cities, towns and even houses! They do not abide the rules of the date line. So the Lunar date lines are impracticable and meaningless. They are neither scientific nor Islamic. Hijra Calendar is the same astronomical Lunar Calendar and the month begins and ends on conjunction (Astronomical new moon), means conjunction is last day of the month. Some time it is on 29th day and some times 30th day. The calendar contains 12 months that are based on the Qur'an (Sura IX, 36-37). It is based on the motion of the Moon and its proper observance is a sacred duty for Muslims. Each phase of moon and its angular distance is indicate each Date as shown a natural calendar hung in the sky. Some times we cannot see the moon because of the changes in weather. but it does not make any difference in calendar dates because it is related to the motion of the moon. Not its physical visibility. The astronomical new moon time and date already computed exactly for thousands of years backward and forward. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD HIJRA CALENDARS See the Moon Calendar of Paul Carlisle or http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/phase Geography of Days - Prayers - Fasting -Kiblah New Flash Movie NEW Reply to Imam Dr Abduljalil Sajid by Ali Manikfan NEW The hilal issue cannot be let to rest until Muslims do themselves right - IQRA, Vol. 19, No. 10 MOON OBSERVATION REPORT Dear Brothers, Assalamu alaikum WR WB, I have observed the moon on Tuesday (16-6-2009), Wednesday (17-6-2009) and Thursday (18-6-2009). The angular distance around 7AM was 88, 76 and 64 degrees respectively. The moon is approaching the sun at the rate of 12 degrees and by Monday moon and sun will be in the same manaazil. The moon will overtake the sun before the end of Monday and Hilaal will appear. So, the last visible phase like urjoonul qadeem will be seen early morning on Sunday (21-6-2009) and phase will not be seen to earth on Monday (22-6-2009). Tuesday (23-6-2009) will be the first of Rajab for people living on earth. The Hilaal of Rajab will be seen on the first of Rajab (23-6-2009) in sha Allah. Hilaal is seen only on the first of the lunar month. It is not seen on the last day of the month. Wassalam, Ali manikfan 25-6-1430/18-6-2009 Dear Brothers, Assalamu alaikum WR WB, This morning (Monday) at sun rise the moon was about 81 degrees away from the sun. The moon appeared like a big crescent. This is the first crescent in the waning phase and this indicated that next Monday will be the first of Jumadil Ukhra. The comparatively big crescents foretell us that Jumadil Ukhra too will end in 29 days. Rajab begins on Tuesday. Since two months (Jumail oola and Jumadil ukhra) get 29 days consecutively Rajab must have 30 days. Rajab ends on Wednesday and Shaban begins on Thursday. We can count 28 phases in a month of 29 and 29 phases in a month of 30. According to astronomical data a solar eclipse occurs on Wednesday the 30th of Rajab. Shaban begins on Thursday and Ramadan on Friday, both ending in 29 days and Ramadan ends on Friday. Shawwal begins on Saturday. First of Shawwal is the Day of Eidul Fitre on which fasting is forbidden. There will not be two days for a date in any month. Observers can easily get accustomed to the natural dates shown by the changing phases of the moon. Let us not make a mistake in beginning Ramadan. May Allah SWT help us to understand His Signs! Wassalam, Ali manikfan 23-5-1430/18-5-2009 MOON OBSERVATION REPORT IN JUMADIL AWWAL The moon was observed this evening (Saturday, seventh of Jumadil Awwal) at sunset. The angular distance between sun and the moon was about 98.5 degrees. Jumadil Awwal began on Sunday after completing 30 days for Rabiul Akhir. The growth of the waxing crescents was unusually fast the rate about 14 degrees per day. This indicated that this month will have only 29 days and the next month Jumadil Akhir too will end in 29 days. This type of observations was possible during the time of the Sahaba and they knew how to read the dates shown by the changing phases of the moon. They never got cheated by searching for the invisible Hilaal at sun set. Please continue your observation and you will see that the full moon is earlier than in the months of 30 days. Only a few months remain for Ramadan. We must learn the method of observation and make sure that we begin the fasting on the right day. Ramadan 1430 begins on a Friday. Wassalam, Ali manikfan 7-5-1430/2-5-2009 Dear Brothers, Assalamu alaikum WR WB, The moon was observed in the last quarter of Rabiul Akhir, 23rd Saturday, 24th Sunday and 25th Monday. The angular distance measured 85.5, 73.5 and 62 degrees respectively. Now it is reducing at the rate of about 11 degrees per day. So, Tuesday it will be 51degrees, Wednesday 40 degrees, Thursday 29 degrees, Friday 18 degrees and Saturday 7degrees which indicates that the sun and moon will be in the same manaazil on Saturday. Saturday is the last day of this month and the moon will not be seen on the morning of Saturday anywhere in the world. Anyone who sees it may please report it with a photograph of the waning crescent. The last visble phase like Urjoonul Qadeem will be seen on Friday morning in many parts of the wolrd. Rabiul Akhir began on Friday and the first waxing crescent was seen in the evening. The last waning crescent will be seen on the morning of Friday the 29th of the month. Hilaal does not appear on the 29th and 30 will be completed as per Hadees on Saturday and Jumadil Awwal begins on Sunday irrespective of the Hilaal. The Hilaal the first waxing crescent of Jumadil Awwal will be seen in the evening of Sunday, the first of Jumadil Awwal. I hope you all agree that we see the same moon all over the world and the lunar date must be same for all of us living in this world. Wassalam, Ali manikfan 25-4-1430/20-4-2009 Ramadan begins on which Day? Dear Brothers, Assalamu alaikum WR WB, Thanks to Allah the Almighty who made the sun shine and the moon light and He appointed Manaazil/Ahillah for the moon so that we may know the count of moon age (dates) and the calculations. How useful is the moon in telling us the count of days and months and passage of time. The people who are stranded in loneliness will certainly realize this. When Tom Vosmer began his adventurous Magan voyage from Oman to India in a primitive craft he wrote: "a beautiful half moon was hanging over head in the sky." Long back when Pandit Jawahar lal Nehru was sent to Jail he wrote: "The new moon, a shimmering crescent in the darkening sky, greeted our arrival here." We know the new moon is seen on the first and half moon on the 7th of the month. Those who observed the moon this week would have seen a half moon on Thursday and slightly bigger moon on Friday in the darkening sky. Certainly that was 7th and 8th of Rabiul Akhir which began on Friday. It is easy for the observer to know the lunar date by looking at the moon phase. Please get acquainted with observing the moon so that we may not commit blunders when the fasting of Ramadan comes. Wasslalam, Ali manikfan 9-4-1430/4-4-2009 Rabiul Akhir begins on Friday Dear Brothers, Assalamu alaikum WR WB, Moon was observed on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the mornings. The angular distance measured 97.5, 86.5 and 75.5 degrees respectively. The average is about 11 degrees per day. At this rate the moon and sun will be in the same Manaazil on Thursday and phase will not be seen on that day. The Hilaal would appear in the evening and Friday will be the first of Rabiul akhar, as already estimated in the first quarter of the month. Those who have observed the moon in the last four months which had 30days would have noticed the difference in the crescents of this month. They are comparatively fatter than in those months. This clearly indicated that this month is of 29 days. The last phase Urjoonul Qadeem will be seen on 28th Wednesday morning and moon phase will not be visible on the last day of the month. People can easily distinguish the months of 29 and 30 by obseving the phases of the moon. Wassalam, Ali manikfan 24-3-1430/21-3-2009 MOON OBSERVATION REPORT Dear Brothers in Islam, Assalamu alaikum, Moon was observed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the mornings. The angular distance measured 88,77 and 66 deagees respectively. The rate is about 11degrees and it may reduce to 10 in the last days of the month. So, the estimated readings would be as follows: Friday 55, Saturday 44 Sunday 34, Monday 24, Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 4 degrees which means that the moon and sun will be in the same manaazil on Wednesday. This is the new moon day and the phase will not be visible. Wednesday is the 30th or the last day of Safar.The next day, Thursday will be the first of Rabiul Awwal 1430H. Please observe the waning crescents and confirm your date. Wassalam, Ali manikfan 25-2-1430/20-2-2009 HILAAL IS SEEN ONLY ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH AS RECORDED IN OLD TAFSIRS. Dear Brothers in Islam, Assalamu alaikum, The moon was observed on Saturday, Sunday and Monday in the evenings: the angular distance for Saturday 60 degrees, Sunday 72 degrees and Monday 84 degrees, the average per day 12 degrees. We have seen that the month of Safar began rightly on Tuesday after completing 30 days for Muharram on Monday. There was a solar eclipse on Monday (26-1-2009) and this marked the end of the lunar cycle, the month. From Dr. Khalid Shaukat's site www.moonsighting.com we know that the Hilaal is seen only on the first day of the month as recorded in old Tafsirs. The hilaal is never seen with the naked eye on the last day of the month even though it appears on the western horizon that evening. The Hilaal of Muharram was seen on the first of Muharram Sunday and the last phase Urjoonul Qadeem was seen on Sunday the 29th of Muharram. The crescent was not visible in the morning even though the moon rose a few minutes before the sun. The Hilaal too was not visible Monday evening even though it had appeared on the western horizon because the moon set was a few minutes after the sun set. Monday was 30th of Muharram. Safar began on Tuesday. Yesterday, Monday (2-2-2009) was the 7th of Safar. The moon was near meridian at sun set. During next week we can observe the movement of the moon and notice the difference and say whether this month will end in 29 days or 30 days. It is not difficult for the regular observer. The astronomical data tell us that this month too is a month of 30 days. Zul Quaida, Zul hijjah, Muharram and Safar, four months end in 30 days. Four months of 30 days coming consecutively is a rare occurrence. Wassalam, Ali manikfan 8-2-1430/3-2-2009 MOON OBSERVATION REPORT (SAFAR 1430) Dear Brothers in Islam, Assalamu alaikum WR WB, The moon was observed on Friday and Saturday morning at sun rise. The angular distance about 33 degrees and 23 degrees respectively. On Sunday it will be about 13 degrees and the last phase (urjoonul qadeem) can be seen under favourable conditions. Monday it cannot be visible even though the moon rises before the sun. The moon sets after the sun on Monday evening (30th) but cannot be seen, 30 will be completed according to Suunah. An eclipse takes place Monday and this marks the end of Muharram. Safar begins on Tuesday. We have witnessed 29 phases, the first crescent was seen on Sunday the first of Muharram and the last will be seen on Sunday morning. So, we have counted 29 phases and 30 Manaazil in Muharram which ends in 30 days. Wassalam, Ali manikfan 28-1-1430/24-1-2009 MOON OBSERVATION REPORT (MUHARRAM 1430) Dear Brothers in Islam, Assalamu alaikum WR WB, I have observed the moon at sun rise this morning (Monday). The moon had not set and it was about 12 degrees above the horizon which means today is certainly 16th of Muharram. Those who began Muharram on Monday have made a mistake and wronged themselves. Wassalam Ali manikfan 16-1-1430/12-1-2009 Message to Saudi King : About Wrong dates of Zul Hijah To His Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdulazeez KhadimulHaramain Makkah alMukarrmah Kindly refer my letter of Zulqaida. According moon's manaazil Arafa Saturday ninth of Zulhijjah. Shawwal First Tuesday ZulQaida first Wednesday Zulhijja first Friday according moon's manaazil. Today Monday moon on fourth manaazil angular distance about 50 degrees date fourth the moon near Venus and Jupiter. All with sight witness this truth. Innaman nasee'u ziyaadathun filkufur. Please order correction according original Ummulqura calendar of KSA. May Allah bless Ali Manikfan, Advisor, Hijra committee of India. Mbl : +91 9842386224 Email : manikfan@gmail.com www.hijracalendar.com To His Majesty King Abdullah, KhadimulHaramain Makkah al Mukarramah Assalamu alaikum WR WB, Subject: wrong dates of Zul Qaida in Haramain I regret to submit that the dates used in Haramain and Saudi Arabia for Zul qaida are wrong and contradictory to Quran and Sunnah. It is a great pity that wrong dates for a sacred month are observed in the very centre of Islam. The Quran says: "Hiya mawaakeethu linnasi" informing us that the Ahillah or Manaazil of the moon must be used as dates for the mankind. Therefore our dates must tally perfectly with the Manaazil of the moon. Today Tuesday 4th of November 2008, the moon is on the seventh Manaazil and the Islamic date must be the seventh of Zul Qaida. It cannot be 5th or 6th. It is learnt from authentic sources that the date in Saudi Arabia for today is 6th contradicting the above verse of the Book of Allah SWT. The Arabnews published from Jeddah available on the Internet gives the date for Tuesday correctly as 7th Zul qaida. Is it not a matter of concern for the Muslims that Saudi Arabia the centre of Islam could have two dates for Tuesday? I had sent a letter to your Majesty regarding loss of one day of Ramadan in Haramain. Now that Hajj is approaching and the Saudi calendar gives a wrong day for Arafa standing is confusing and misleading the Muslim Ummah all over the world. I wish to bring to the kind notice of your Majesty that Ramadan 1429 began on Sunday. The first waxing crescent of Ramadan was witnessed in many parts of the world on the evening of Sunday the first of Ramadan. On Sunday the 29th of Ramadan, last waning crescent was seen in the morning in many places. The Hilaal did not appear that evening and 30 days were completed following the Sunnah. The Eidul fitre was celebrated on Tuesday the first of Shawwal. The first waxing crescent was seen on Tuesday evening in many parts of the world and this confirmed the beginning of Shawwal on Tuesday was correct as per the Manazil of the moon as directed in the Quran. The crescents were fat and the growth rate was fast indicating that the month will end in 29 days. Thus the last waning crescent was visible on the morning of Monday the 28th of Shawwal. The waning crescent was not visible on the morning of Tuesday the 29th of Shawwal anywhere in the world and the Hilaal must appear that evening. Therefore Zul Qaida began on Wednesday. The first waxing crescent of Zul Qaida was seen in many parts of the world Wednesday evening which confirmed the beginning of Zulqaida on Wednesday was correct according to the Ahillah of the moon. The observations made on 5th Sunday, 6th Monday and 7th Tuesday confirm that these dates are perfectly in tune with the movement of the moon. The angular distance measured 50, 60 and 71 degrees respectively. The rate of travel at 10 degrees per day in the first quarter proved that this month is of 30 days. There are observatories and observers in the Kingdom. The observers could take readings and verify the dates with the moon instead of following wrong dates in the centre making the Muslims a laughing stock for others. How can we present Islam to others if our state is like this? I pray earnestly that the matter be investigated and the wrong dates corrected immediately so that a serious mistake in the day of Arafa may not be committed for which we all will be held responsible. May Allah protect your majesty! Wassalamu alaikum watrahmathullah Yours sincerely, Ali Manikfan, Advisor, Hijra committee of India. Mbl : +91 9842947854 Email : manikfan@gmail.com www.hijracalendar.com من : علي منكفان مستشار لجنة الهجرة في الهند الى : خادم الحرمين الشريفين الملك عبدالله بن عبد العزيز حفظه الله و رعاه الموضوع : تواريخ خاطئة لذو القعدة في الحرمين السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته أتقدم لمقاكم الكريم بخطابي هذا لأخبر جلالتكم أن التواريخ التي استعملت في المملكة العربية السعودية و الحرمين لشهر ذو القعدة خاطئة و مناقضة للقرآن و السنة. أنه لمن المحزن رؤية تاريخ خاطيء لشهر مقدس في مركز الإسلام المملكة العربية السعودية. قال تعالى "هي مواقيت للناس" هذه الآية تخبرنا أن الأهلة و منازل القمر وجدت لتستخدم كتواريخ للبشرية. لذا تواريخنا يجب أن تدون بشكل مثالي مع منازل القمر. اليوم الثلاثاء الرابع من نوفمبر 2008، القمر في المنزل السابع و التاريخ الإسلامي يجب أن يكون السابع من ذو القعدة و من غير الممكن أن يكون الخامس أو السادس. لقد علم من مصدر موثوق أن التاريخ في المملكة العربية السعودية اليوم هو السادس من ذو القعدة متعارضا مع منازل القمر. جريدة عرب نيوز في جدة و المتوفرة على الإنترنت أعطت الثلاثاء التاريخ السابع من ذو القعدة بشكل صحيح. أنه لمن المقلق للمسلمين أن يكون للملكة العربية السعودية مركز الإسلام تاريخين ليوم الثلاثاء؟ لقد أرسلت رسالة لجلالتكم بخصوص خسارة يوم واحد في رمضان في الحرمين. الآن و قد أقترب موسم الحج قد يعطى تاريخ خاطيء لوقفة عرفة ، وهذا شيء قد يكون أمرا مضللا لأمة الإسلام في العالم. أود أن ألفت أنتباه جلالتكم الكريم أن رمضان 1429 بدأ يوم الأحد. أول ظهور للهلال في رمضان شوهد في أجزاء مختلفة من العالم في مساء يوم الأحد الأول من رمضان. في يوم الأحد 29 من رمضان، آخر ظهور للهلال شوهد في الصباح في أماكن متعددة. الهلال لم يظهر في المساء و أكمل الشهر 30 يوما حسب السنة، و أحتفل بعيد الفطر في يوم الثلاثاء الأول من شوال. أول ظهور للهلال كان في مساء الثلاثاء في أجزاء متعددة من العالم مما أكد بداية شهر شوال في يوم الثلاثاء كان صحيحا حسب منازل القمر و حسب توجيه القرآن. الهلال كان كبيرا و معدل النمو سريعا مما يشير أن الشهر سينتهي بتسع و عشرين يوما. لهذا آخر ظهور للهلال كان يوم الأثنين الثامن و العشرين من شوال، الهلال لم يظهر في صباح الثلاثاء التاسع و العشرين من شوال في أي مكان من العالم و كان من الواجب ظهور الهلال في المساء. لهذا بدأ ذو القعدة يوم الأربعاء، أول ظهور لهلال ذو القعدة شوهد في أجزاء مختلفة من العالم في مساء الأربعاء مما يؤكد أن بداية شهر ذو القعدة في يوم الأربعاء صحيحة طبقا لأهلة القمر. الملاحظات وجدت في الأحد الخامس، الأثنين السادس و الثلالثاء السابع لتؤكد أن هذه الأيام متناغمة جدا مع حركة القمر. معدل الحركة كان 10 درجات في اليوم في الربع الأول مما أكد أن هذا الشهر كان 30 يوما. هناك مراصد و مراقبين لمراقبة الأهلة في المملكة. المراقبين يستطعيون أن يأخذوا القراءات و من ثم التحقق من التواريخ القمرية بدلا من متابعة التواريخ الخاطئة في العاصمة جاعلين المسليمن مصدرا غير موثوق لدى الآخرين. كيف من الممكن أن نقدم الإسلام للآخرين اذا كانت هذه حالتنا؟ آمل من سموكم الكريم أن يتم التحقيق في الأمر و أن يتم تصحيح الخطأ حتى لا يرتكب خطأ في تاريخ يوم عرفة. و الله أعلم. حفظ الله جلالتكم و جعلكم ذخرا للأمة الإسلامية. السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته علي منكفان Zul Hijja will begin on Friday Dear Brothers in Islam, Assalamu alaikum WR WB, The waxing moon of Zul Qaida was observed on three days, 5th Sunday, 6th Monday and 7th Tuesday. The angular distance measured 50, 60 and 71 degrees respectively. The rate of travel of the moon was about 10 degrees per day and the growth of the crescents of the first quarter was comparatively slower than the month of Shawwal. This confirmed that Zul Qida, one of the sacred month has begun on Wednesday. The first crescent was visible on Wednesday evening in many parts of the world. Including Wednesday in Shawwal is certainly wrong. Allah SWT has informed us in the Book: "Walaa thazlimoo feehinna anfusakum". The slow rate of travel and growth of the waxing crescents of the first quarter clearly indicated that this month will have 30 days. The Hilaal will not appear on Wednesday the 29th Zul Qaida. 30 will be completed on Thursday according to the Sunnah and Zul Hijja will begin on Friday without any doubt. This can be proved by observing the full moon and the waning crescents of the last quarter. Extreme care should be taken not to commit a mistake in observing the Arafa which is very important. The Prophet SAW said: "Fansukoo lahaa". Wassalam, Ali manikfan 8-11-`429/3-11-2008 Zul Qaida begins on Wednesday Dear Brothers in Islam, Assalamu alaikum WR WB, We saw the first waxing crescent of Shawwal on the first of Shawwal Tuesday. We had also observed the first quarter, the full moon and the last quarter during he course of the month and we had noticed the fast growth of the crescents which indicated that the month will end in 29 days. This morning Monday the 28th of Shawwal we have seen the last visible phase of the moon like Urjoonul Qadeem. Those who have seen it will know that the waning crescent will not be seen tomorrow morning. Tomorrow Tuesday is the 29th of Shawwal which is the last day of the month. Today the angular distance measured about 18 degrees and tomorrow morning it will be about 6 degrees which is too small to make it visible. The moon phase is not visible to earth only for one day and tomorrow is the invisible day of Shawwal. It is the new moon day after which Zul Qaida begins on Wednesday. If the waning crescent is visible anywhere tomorrow morning, please report it to us with a photograph of the crescent. Basing on our observations of the Hilaals we the Hjra committee of India bear witness that we could count only 28 phases during Shawwal from Tuesday to Monday and tomorrow Tuesday is the last day of Shawwal. Wassalam, Ali manikfan 28-10-1429/27-10-2008 MOON OBSERVATION IN SHAWAL Dear Brothers, Assalamu alaikum WR WB, The moon was observed on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The readings were 58, 70 and 82 degrees respectively. The rate is 12 degrees per day and Saturday is the 5th of Shawwal. The month had begun on Tuesday irrespective of the hilaal after completing 30 days for Ramadan. On the 7th evening moon had passed meridian at the sun set. Tuesday evening the moon had not reached meridian at sun set. This confirmed that the beginning of Shawwal on Tuesday was correct and the fast growth of the crescent indicated that this month will end in 29 days. That is the Hilaal would appear on the 29th. This will be confirmed by the observations which will be conducted in due course. Those who had begun Shawwal on Wednesday and Thursday are certainly wrong. Wassalam, Ali maikfan 9-10-1429/8-9-2008 MOON OBSERVATION IN RAMADAN Dear Brothers and Sisters, Assalamu alaikum WR WB, The observation of the past two days clearly indicates that this Ramadan has begun on Sunday the 31st of August 2008. The angular distance for Wednesday was about 44 degrees and on Thursday it was about 56 degrees. This indicated that Wednesday was the 4th of Ramadan. The rate of travel for this month is less than 12 degrees per day and this indicates that this is a month of 30 days. Those who had observed the crescents of Rajab and Shaban would have noticed the slow growth of the crescents in this month. The Hilaal will not appear on Sunday the 29th of the month. According to Sunnah 30 will be completed on Monday and Shawwal begins on Tuesday irrespective of the Hilaal. Those who have not fasted on Sunday have missed the first fast of Ramadan and those who began fasting on Tuesday have missed two days of Ramadan. They should compensate according to laws of Shariah by fasting the number of fasts lost in Ramadan after the Eidul Fitre on Tuesday. Please note that a month will not begin on two days in the world and the Eidul Fitre of one year cannot be on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Wassalam, Ali manikfan 6-9-1429/5-9-2008 CARELESS MISTAKES IN HARAMAIN It is highly deplorable that the Haramain have not begun fasting on Sunday the first of Ramadan. The same thing had happened last year too. This happens because of the confusion created by the Muslim astronomers who do not calculate the lunar months according to the astronomical rules. They go by sun set moon set data and say that the Hilaal cannot be seen when the moon sets before the sun. They do not realize that the sun set is local whereas the day or date is common for all in the world. How can we measure the day using the moon set? The people who bear witness for the Hilaal get frightened when they hear that the moon has set before the sun and they do not report the hilaal. This is how the Satan cheated the Haramain. It can happen once. But how can the believer get stung twice from the same hole? The so called Muslim astronomers who do not know the laws of Shariah publish the sun set and moon set data in websites and confuse the people. They do not know that the sun set and moon set has nothing to do with defining the lunar months. The lunar months are defined scientifically by using the new moon which can be calculated without difference of seconds. The lunar month according to Quran is the cycle of the moon around the earth measured in relation with the sun. The Phases of the moon are dates. At new moon the moon completes the cycle, the lunar month and the new cycle begins. The new moon may happen at any moment of the day and the new moon day is taken as the last day of the month. The time of new moon is immaterial as the months are counted in days, which have names. A month cannot begin at half day just as a year cannot begin at half year. Beginning the month after seeing the crescent with the naked eye is an innovation introduced later. This was not practiced by the Prophet and the Sahaba. They decided the months by observing the Ahillah and Manaazil of the moon as directed in the Quran. As a rule the hilaal appears in the evening of the day of conjunction, the new moon. The new month must begin on the following day. The fact that the Prophet and the Sahaba never attempted to see the Hilaal just as the people do today proves beyond doubt that beginning the month after seeing the Hilaal is not the Sunnah. Whenever they had doubt because of inability to observe they depended on information from other places. But today everyone wants to see his own Hilaal. They do not accept others, this is not Sunnah and what is not Sunnah will come under the Bid'a which leads to the Hell. It is very easy to find out the new moon day. It is the day on which the moon and the sun are in the same Manaazil in the sky. It is the last day of the month. The moon and sun rises at the same time and the moon that day must set after the sun because the moon lags about 50 minutes per day over the sun. So the Hilaal must appear on the evening of the new moon day. But it will not be seen to the naked eye. Sheikh Al Othaimeen R objects even the use glasses for seeing the moon because the Prophet and the Sahaba did not use them. How can the old people see the new moon which is very thin and faint? Therefore definitely this sort of seeing is not the criterion for defining the months. The Muslim astronomers are certainly mistaken. I have seen with the naked eye all the phases of the moon for the three months before Ramadan, Jumadil Akhir, Rajab and Shaban. Jumadil Akhir began on Wednesday and we saw the first waxing crescent of Jumadil Akhir on Wednesday evening the First of the month. The last waning crescent was seen on Wednesday evening the 29th of Jumadil Akhir. No trace of the waning crescent was seen on Thursday morning which was the 30th of Jumadil Akhir. The hilaal must have appeared that evening and the month ended in 30 days. Rajab began on Friday and we saw the first waxing crescent on Friday evening, the first of Rajab. We have seen the last waning crescent in the morning of Thursday the 28th of Rajab. There was no trace of the waning crescent in the morning of Friday the 29thy of Rajab. It was the last say of Rajab which ended in 29 days. Shaban began on Saturday and we saw the first waxing crescent on the evening of Saturday the first of Shaban. We saw the last waning crescent of Shaban on the morning of Friday the 28th of Shaban. There was no trace of the waning crescent in the morning of Saturday the 29th of Shaban. It was the last day of Shaban and the sun and moon were on the same Manaazil on Saturday. The Hilaal must appear by Saturday evening. Sunday must be the first of Ramadan. But the Muslims at Haramain have not received Ramadan in a befitting manner. They should repent and fast for the lost day of Ramadan after Eidul Fitre which falls on Tuesday. Since Rajab and Shaban had 29 days consecutively, which is a rare occurrence Ramadan must have 30 days according to the Manaazil predestined by Allah SWT. May Allah SWT guide us to the truth! Wassalam, Ali manikfan 2-9-1429/1-9-2008 Telegram sent to His Majesty King Abdullah on 1st Ramadan 1429(31-August-2008) His Majesty King Abdullah Khadimul Haramain MAKKAH ALMUKARRAMAH Assalamu alaikum WR WB. Please refer my telegram fifteenth Shaban. Regret Haramain lost first Ramadan as last year because of Muslim astronomer's confusion. Kindly order correction according original Ummulqura calendar. Please take urgent action prevent future careless mistakes in Haramain. Correct Ummulqura calendars should be sent to all Muslim countries to enable uniform dating. Please visit www.hijracalendar.com for details. May Allah protect believers! Wassalam Ali manikfan 1-9-1429/31-8-2008 M.Ali manikfan Advisor, Hijra Committee of India, Arbudar Nagar, Aru puli road, Madappuram, Vallioor 627 117 Telegram sent to His Majesty King Abdullah 18th Shabaan1429(19-August-2008) King Abdullah Ib'n Abdul Aziz, Kadimul Haramain, Makkah al Mukarrmah Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (K.S.A) As per observation of Manaazil of moon, Ramadan begins on Sunday. Since Rajab and Sha'ban have 29 days Ramadan will have 30 days. Eidul Fitre falls on Tuesday. Request correction as per original Ummulqura calendar. Alimanikfan Advisor, Hijra committee of India 7/858, B, AWH Building, Koyenco Bazar, Calicut - 673004 manikfan@gmail.com Ramadan begins on Sunday The moon was observed on 5th Wednesday, 6th Thursday and 7th Friday of Shaban in the evening. The angular distance measured 64:44, 76:16 and 87:02 degrees respectively. The angular distance is the age of the moon, which is the lunar date. The readings given above proved beyond doubt that Shaban began on Saturday. The faster growth the crescent informs us that the month will have only 29 days.This Shaban according to the Manazil is a period of 29 days from Saturday to Saturday. this should not be violated. Friday (14th of Shaban) the moon rose before the sun set and Saturday morning the moon had set a little beforethe sun rise indicating that the mid of the month is not yet over. Saturday evening the observers will notice that moon rises a little before the sun set. The moon will cross the line of opposition in the night and the sun will rise before moon set on Sunday morning. There is an eclipse on Saturday night which is the mid of Shaban. we are sure that the dates of Shaban are in tune with the moon and that they are correct. So Shaban ends on Saturday and Ramadan begins on Sunday. The first day of Ramadan is Sunday. Please donot forget to fast on Sunday. Please convey this message to all Muslim brethren. Wassalam, Ali manikfan 15-8-1429/16-8-2008 Dear Brothers, Assalamu alaikum WR WB, I have observed the moon this morning (Friday) before sun rise. The moon had set just before sun rise. This indicated that today (Friday) is the 15th of Rajab. You may recall that this month Rajab began on Friday. The fast growth of the crescents during the fortnight indicated that this month has only 29 days. The last visible crescent (Urjoonul qadeem) will be seen on 28th Rajab Thursday morning. No trace of the waning crescent can be seen on the morning of Friday 29th Rajab, Friday on which a solar eclipse will occur marking the end of Rajab. The Hilaal appears in the evening. Shaban begins on Saturday. Please note that Shaban 1429 has 29 days and Shaban will end on Saturday. The moon will be eclipsed in the middle of Shaban. The dates of the month could be checked with the Ahillah during the course of the month using the method which we have described earlier. Ramadan the month of fasting begins on Sunday corresponding to 31-8-2008AD. Wassalam, Ali manikfan 15-7-1429/18-7-2008 Reply to Salman (Shaban begins on Saturday) Dear Brother Salman, Assalamu alaikum WR WB, Allah Subhaanahu wa thaala informs us in His Book "Wa qaddarahu manaazila li thaalamoo adadassineena wal hissab" and the Prophet SAW said "Innaa ummathun ummiyyathun laa nakthubu walaa nahsibu asshahru hakazaa wahaakazaa. "Soomoo li ruuyathihi wa afthiroo li ruuyathihi...", But you are not ready to do both and you are bevildered. This morning (Wednesday) I have witnessed the waning crescent from Riyadh. It is certain that it can be seen Thursday morning also. But certainly it cannot be seen Friday morning. It is certain that Friday the sun and moon are in the same manaazil and the Hilaal must appear by evening. So Saturday cannot be included in Rajab. Saturday is the first day of Shabaan. You can see that my statement is confirmed by the solar eclipse which occurs on Friday the 29th of Rajab(1-8-2008). The Hilaal appears by Friday evenimng and Saban begins on Saturday. Wassalam. Ali manikfan 27-7-1429/30-7-2008 Reply to Muhammad Sultan Alam by Ali Manikfan Muhammad Sultan Alam Head of astronomy research deptt. Of Jamia-tur- Rasheed Ahsanabad, Karachi, Pakistan 21-04-2008 Remarks in red are by Ali manikfan, advisor of the Hijra committee of India, Calicut, Kerala, India. www.hijracalendar.com. Telephone: 04637 294556, mobile: 9842947854. 17-4-1429/23-4-2008 "On May 5, 2008 Monday" (Pakistan 28 Rabee-uth-thani, Saudi Arabia, according to visibility [???], according to Ummul-Qura 29 Rabee-uth-thani) Giving different dates to Pakistan and Arabia is absurd. Islamic Shariah does not entertain wrong ideas. (and He has not placed there in any crookedness 18:1) The Ulema disagree with the silly idea of the Muslim astronomers to give different dates to different towns.  As per the Manaazil of the moon on which the dates must be based according to Quran and Sunnah, Rabiul Akhir began on Monday after completing 30 days of Rabiul Awwal on Sunday. In Shariah the Hilaal is not necessary on the 30^th. The Hilaal had not appeared by 29^th of Rabiul awwal, Saturday and 30days were completed on Sunday. Therefore Rabiul Akhir began rightly on Monday irrespective of the Hilaal. Visibility of the crescent is not the criterion. The Hilaal may or may not be visible. In shariah the months begin on the definite information that the month has set in. The birth of the moon of Jumadal-oola 1429 according to GMT will be on Monday 5th May 2008 at 12:18 . At that time, the time in Pakistan will be 17:18 on Monday 5th May. And in Saudi Arab will be 15:18. When conjunction is at 12:18 UT on Monday 5-5-2008 astronomically the crescent must appear on that evening on the western horizon. So Tuesday must be the first of Jumdal oola. Time difference at different places is not considered in the Shariah. Date is not a local affair. A date denotes a day of the week. When day is common date cannot be different. Day and date at all places in the world must be same. The Prophet SAW traveled in one night from Makkah to Damascus and returned the same night. He knows the date at Makkah, Damascus and at all places is same. How could Ibn Abbas, the Sahaba and the Imams ignore this? Time depending on the sun's angle is different everywhere while date depending on the Manaazil of the moon is same all over the world. Local time has nothing to do with the date. Islamic Shariah does not allow different dates for Arabia, Pakistan, India or any other place in the world. Because the age of this moon and the other factors effecting on the visibility of the moon e.g. Lag, Rel.Azi. and elongation etc will be extremely defective on May 5 in all over the world, thus according to the research of the astronomy department of Jamia-tur-Rasheed, in the light of approximately 18 old and new Criteria of the visibility of the moon including Al Beruni, Yaqoob Bin Tariq, Babylonians and Ancient Indian astronomers, there is no possibility of the moon being sighted with the naked eye in all over the world, specially in Pakistan, India, Iran, Afghanistan Saudi Arabia except North America. There are different ideas of different astronomers about the visibility chances of the moon in North America, e.g. According to many Criteria the moon can be sighted very easily in Alaska with naked eye while in the northern and central America according to some criteria moon will be invisible while according to other ones it can be sighted under the perfect conditions, either with the naked eye or with the optical aid. Only and only founder of moon sighting.com Mr. Khalid Shaukat and the founder of ''ICOP" Odeh, Jordan have shown the possibility of moon sighting in U.K and in its neighbor countries with telescope while Bernard yallop has not shown such possibility in U.K etc. Visibility of the crescent is not the deciding factor of the months. The moon which rises before the sun in the last days of Rabiul Akhir overtakes the sun and begins to set after the sun before the end of Monday in the world. The moon was approaching the sun before Monday and starts to go away from it after Monday. So the crescent must appear by Monday evening and the month must change. Jumadil oola must begin on Tuesday. Muslims do not follow other cults. Islam is the religion and Islam teaches a calendar which is perfect and perpetual. The rules are found in Quran 2:189, 10:5, 36:39. How will the Ulema agree with a false astronomy which gives different dates to different towns? The defectiveness of the conditions of the moon on May 5 can be imagined by this that on May 5, age of the moon will hardly be "two hours" in the most western part of Pakistan and will hardly be 3.5 hours in the most western part of Saudi Arabia e.g. Makkah Mukarramah. Setting of the moon after the sun even by one minute is enough to begin the new month on the following day as per the Fatwa of the leading Ulema. The Sahaba did not go by sun set and moon set calculation which is a pure Bid'a. There is no need to see the Hilaal when we are sure of its presence in the western horizon of the world. How can Islamic Shariah allow different dates to Pakistan and Arabia? Please produce evidence for it from the Quran and Sunnah.   "On May 6, 2008 Tuesday" (Pakistan 29 Rabee-uth-thani, Saudi Arabia, according to visibility [???], according to Ummul-Qura 1st Jumadal-oola) Imams have not considered the difference of Matalia in case of the month. Islaimc Shariah does not permit multiple dates for a single day. When the moon has started to set after the sun on Monday, Tuesday must be the first of Jumadal oola. The conditions of the moon will be so excellent on this day in the whole world that according to the all old and new criteria of the visibility of the moon, the crescent will be clearly visible in all over the world except Southern Australia, New Zealand and in the extreme southern areas of Argentina and Chile, Where a clear possibility of sighting the moon will be on Wednesday May 7. Who has made old and new criteria like the Old Testament and new testaments? Quran gives the rules for the calendar and Quran has never changed and will never change. Please return to Quran. Data of moon in Karachi on May 6, 2008 Tuesday. According to the software "moon calculate 6" of Doctor Manzoor Ahmad UK, the Data of the moon in Karachi at