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Rejoinder
by Ali manikfan to “Personal notes on the Subject of
following Saudi moon sighting by Muadh khan”
His article can be had
from Globalpeace@gmail.com
The moon is only a
few thousands of miles away while the sun is millions of
miles away from the earth. When the sun and moon and
the earth come on a line on the same plane the sun is
eclipsed. Since the shadow cast by the moon
does not cover the full half of the globe the
eclipse will be seen only to those who are in the shadowed
area. So the statement “At this moment the moon
face to the earth is completely dark and it cannot be seen
from the earth by even the most powerful telescopes as the
sun is directly behind the moon when seen from the earth”
is not correct. The view from different localities of
earth would vary and the small lighted part of the side of
the moon could be viewed by the powerful telescopes from some
parts of the Earth. The new crescent is seldom visible in the
evening to the naked eye on the new moon day even though it
is present on the horizon after sunset. Definite knowledge
about this presence makes it compulsory to begin the new
month on the next day in the Shariah.
Comments on “Earliest
sighting of the new moon”
The author believes that seeing the crescent is necessary to
begin a lunar month. The Prophet (saw) did not teach that the
month should begin only after seeing the crescent with the
naked eye. The Prophet (saw) said that month is sometimes 30
and sometimes 29. So, to discern the months the people should
find out whether the Hilal appeared on the 29th.
If it did not appear one more day is to be added. The new
month begins after completing 30 days irrespective of the
Hilal. The method of beginning every month after seeing the
crescent is different and contradictory to the teachings of
the Quran and the Sunna. The Prophet (saw) never said
or did anything contradicting the Quran the Book of the Allah
(swt). The waxing crescent becomes visible to earth only on
the first day of the month. Then how can the month begin on
the right day if someone waited to see it for beginning the
month?
The
author has not made observations and studies about the moon,
her phases and Manazil. So he thinks the angular separation
cannot be measured in time. (Refer page 5). He has not seen
the astronomical almanacs in which all measurements in time
or degrees are given for every day of the year in advance.
The Quran says that the sun and moon are for calculations
(55:5) and this should be possible. Science has proved what
is said in the Quran 1400 hundred years ago is correct. The
statement of the author confirms that he has not made any
practical studies to find out the months using the
instructions of the Prophet (saw) “Soomooli
Ru’uyathihi”. Let the author see the moon
and try to discern the months consecutively for 12 months and
let him realize what the Prophet (saw) meant by “Soomooli
Ru’uyathihi”
Comments on “Islamic
Shariah”
The author ignores the rules of Shariah, which is drawn from
Quran and Sunna. The Shariah does not demand that every
Ramadan or Shawwal should commence after seeing the crescent
with the naked eye. Many Shabans and Ramadans have 30 days.
When this happens nobody sees the Hilal on 30th because
the Prophet (saw) has never ordered to consult the Hilal
after completing 30 days for a month. But the author believes
that the Prophet (saw) has ordered to begin all months after
seeing the crescent!
Jews and Arabs of the Prophet’s (saw) time used to
begin all the months after seeing the crescent with the naked
eye. In this case the dates would not tally with the phases
of the moon. The dates will be one or two days behind. The
Quaranic verse 2:189 demands that the phases (Ahillah) should
be identical with the dates. When the moon is at 7thManazil
the date should be 7th and when it is at
15th Manazil the date should be the 15th of
the month. According to Jews and pre-Islamic Arabs full moon
would fall on 12th or 13thinstead
of 14th or 15th. Full moon should
occur at the mid of the month (nisfus shahar). According to
the teachings of the Prophet (saw) it should fall on 14 or15
not on 12 or13th. The Shariah requires that the moon phases
(Ahillah) should be observed and the dates must tally with
Manazil of the moon.
The Author agrees that the crescent of 15 hours old can be
seen in a very clear atmosphere. So the separation of 7 or 8
degrees should be enough to begin the next month according to
him. If he took the new moon time as the basis for the
calculation the problem would be solved.
The new moon takes place at noon straight to some location on
earth. So at that place the separation at sunset would be
about 3 degrees and at some other place it would be more than
8 degrees. This is enough in Shariah to end a month on that
day because the Hilal has already appeared. The next day must
be the first of the new month. If one day were delayed it
would be equal to postponing the month by one day.
Consequently the 29th of the other month would go wrong and
we would look for the Hilal of the next month one day later,
which is forbidden in the Shariah. The Prophet (saw) had
never ordered people to worry about the Hilal on the 30th.
The author has been overwhelmed by the wrong idea that in
Shariah a month would not begin without seeing the Hilal with
the naked eye. It is because he has never practiced “Soomoo
li ru’uyatihi” by observing the Hilals as ordered
by the Prophet (saw).
Comments on “Moon sighting
tips”
We should
know the significance of days and dates. The day is common
throughout the world. So the date that stands for a
particular day must be common throughout the world. The moon
sighting tips given by the author has no meaning. Separation
of moon and sun is not alike at all places. If the separation
is 3 degrees at one place, the separation at another place
situated after 20 hrs would be more than 10 degrees. All
Imams and scholars have said that the decision taken at one
place is enough for all in the world. If the first of Ramadan
is Tuesday at one locality, all people must accept that
Ramadan has begun on Tuesday irrespective of the place of
appearing of the Hilal. This is because a month would not
begin on three days, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday just as
a child will not be born on three days. If they do not agree
with the truth then they disobey the Prophet (saw).
The moon being above or below the horizon of a locality is
immaterial. Shariah demands that all must begin the fasting
on the same day. The author agrees that the crescent for Zul
hijja 1425H could be seen from Polynesian Islands. His
argument that the date of the Ummul Qura was wrong is
baseless. 10-01-2005 was Monday and the new moon took place
at 12 .03 hrs UT. Then Tuesday 11-01-2005 should be the first
of Zul hijja by all means. If the Hilal is visible on
10-01-2005 it should be more visible on 11-01-2005 and much
more visible on 12-01-2005 because the moon is not
stationary. The common sense demands that the first one
should be the basis. Delaying the month until all people in
the world see the crescent with the naked eye is not allowed
in the Shariah. Postponing is condemned in the Quran. (Quran
9: 37)
Comments on “Summary”
When the science confirms the birth of Hilal the common
man cannot oppose it. The common man is ignorant and
scientist talks with definite knowledge. Common man must rely
upon the scientist. The Quran enjoins “ask those who
know if you have no knowledge”. When we know that Hilal
is born on a particular day without any doubt we should not
postpone by one more day. The day of the birth of Hilal is
the last day of the month and the next day must be the first
of the new month. This is the clear view of Shariah.
Comments on “The Saudi Moon
Controversy”
“For years Saudi moon sighting
has been incredible and unreliable to the established laws of
science and experts all over the world have pointed to
discrepancies there in”. This statement of the author
proves that he has not investigated the matter thoroughly. He
agrees that the Hilal could be seen in POLYNESIA on Monday
10/01/2005. Then Tuesday the 11th of January 2005 must be the
first of Zul Hijja according to the rules of Shariah and
astronomy. The author has criticized the Saudi authorities
without knowledge. The author should have studied and learnt
the subject thoroughly before making such remarks which
confuse the laymen.
We request the author to visit the
websitewww.hijracalander.com and
send his doubts and comments.
It is true that Hilal had set in Saudi
Arabia but it does not mean that it would not set anywhere in
the world after the sun and its presence somewhere on Monday
is enough according to Shariah to declare Tuesday 11/01/2005
as the first of Zul Hijja of 1425H. If they delayed by one
day and waited till they saw the Hilal they would have
committed a great blunder and a grave sin. The author is
punishable under the law of Quran for publishing irrelevant
matters. 1) He has talked without knowledge. 2) He has
criticized the right whereas he is wrong. He should prove
that Tuesday 11/01/2005 was not the first of Zul Hijja
1425H.
Comments on “Saudi moon
sighting according to Saudi media”
The Saudi authorities do not go by mere sighting. They
rely on astronomical and observational evidence. The
Government of Saudi Arabia had published a calendar book
which contains calendars for more than one hundred years up
to 2008AD. They were following this astronomical lunar
calendar in K.S.A until something unfortunate happened in
2000 AD. Ramadan of 1420H had gone wrong due to some
confusion. They began Ramadan one day late. This was
corrected in the first week and the people were informed that
Ramadan had begun on Wednesday instead of Thursday and they
should fast one day after the Eid ul Fitre for compensating
the lost fast. Thus the Hilal of Shawwal was looked for
on Wednesday the 29th of Ramadan. Since Hilal
was not reported from anywhere in the world they completed 30
days on Thursday according to the Sunnah. Friday was
certainly the first of Shawwal. Eidul fitre was held on
Friday 7-1-2000AD = 1-10-1420 H.
Dr. Qaradawi issued a fatwa blaming Saudi Arabia. He said
according to astronomical data the moon had set before the
sun in Saudi Arabia on Thursday evening and so Friday was a
day of Ramadan. Dr. Qaradawi like others without studying the
matter thoroughly gave his hasty fatwa and confused the Saudi
authorities. They believed that Qaradawi’s argument was
right because the moon had set before the sun on Thursday
evening. They forgot that Thursday was 30th of
Ramadan after which consulting the Hilal is not necessary in
the Shariah.
Dr. Qaradawi further
attached a fatwa of Sheikh al Othaimeen RA a great
scholar of Saudi Arabia, in support of his argument. It
stated “if a solar eclipse occurs at night for you then
the next day is not the first for you”. This fatwa
contradicts Quran, Sunnah and the views of the Imams. Those
who have talked on this subject have not studied it in a
befitting manner. Certainly the declaration of Friday as the
first of Shawwal 1420H is correct according to the Manazil of
the moon on which the dates depend. 2:189
The moon had set on
Monday 10-01-2005 in Saudi Arabia before sunset there. This
does not mean that the moon would not set later than the sun
in Africa and America on Monday. The Quaranic rule that the
time keeping order should not be violated in the world makes
it necessary to accept the sighting of other places after
Saudi Arabia till the end of Monday. (2: 189) Sheikh Salih al
Lahaydan the head of the Supreme Court was right in his
judgment. May Allah reward him best of rewards here and in
the hereafter for his correct declaration without fear and
favor for anyone except Allah (swt).
Certainly the
shepherds in the deserts and fishermen in the ocean know
better about the moon and the stars than the Muslim
astronomers of today who read and rely on the books without
looking at the sky. They have no practical knowledge and they
are unable to understand the facts.
The moon is not in the same place in the sky every day. It
travels about 12 degrees a day. If the Hilal is 37 hrs old
certainly the previous day was the first. So Tuesday
11-01-2005 was certainly the first day of Zul hijja 1425H by
all means.
The Prophet (saw) taught the concept of time through the five
canonical prayers and the concept of date through the
compulsory fasting of Ramadan. “Soomooli Ruyathihi”
is not for Ramadan alone. The same method is used to discern
the months of 29 and thirty throughout the year. 4
sacred months Rajab, Zul Qaida, Zulhijja, and Muharram also
are distinguished by the same method. Sheik Al Lahaydan’s
statement goes with the Quran and Sunnah. The Author’s
criticism of the court is baseless.
May I ask the author. Has the
Prophet (saw) ever gone and looked for the Hilal at sunset
without praying Magrib at the first time? The Prophet (saw)
used to pray at the first time. Did the Prophet (saw) ever
look for the Hilal or see it?
The layman has no
authority to dispute on such matters. The scholars should
discuss and find out the solution. Such matters should not be
published before studying it thoroughly and arriving at a
final solution (4:83). Certainly the writings without proper
study and authority confuse the public and law must ban
anything that confuses the public.
Saudi
Government has not taken proper steps to have final views on
the issue of Hilal. But the efforts to propagate regional
Hijra calendars based on lunar date lines of Dr. Mohamed
Ilyas are being carried out. Many fatwas in support of
considering the Mathali’a also stand in the way. A
thorough study of the matter is urgently required OIC should
convene a conference on this issue urgently.
Comments on “The negations
of following Saudi moon sighting”
All the four Imams
and the ancient scholars have agreed that the announcement of
one place in the world is enough for all places in the world
when they get the news. It is a matter connected with date.
Dates everywhere in the world must be same. Saudi
Arabia is 3 hours ahead of UK. So they should follow Saudi
Arabia. They pray Jumu’a on the same Day after 3 hrs of
Saudi Arabia. So the Eid prayer in UK should be after 3 hrs
of Saudi Arabia. We have the example in the Jumu’a
prayer which gives us the guide lines of time keeping order
in the world. Some pray the Jumu’a 9 hours before
Makkah and some 15 hours after Makkah. This order must be
maintained in all Ibada of the Day. Violation of this time
keeping order is Haraam in the Shariah.
Now when we
have clear details and data of the moon we need not wait till
the last moment. We do not depend on seeing the sun for the
prayer time. We know the angle of the sun by our watches. In
the same way our date is known by the calculation of angle of
the sun and the moon, which changes the Manazil of the moon.
Quran and Hadees do not prohibit using of calculation to find
out the Manazil of the moon and making the calendars in
advance. On the other hand the Quran enjoins it (10:5). So
Masjidul Haram should announce the onset of Ramadan etc. by
evening on the last day of the month so that confusion could
be avoided.
Saudi announcements were often correct as per the Shariah and
astronomical rules. But sometimes they postpone by one day
under the pretext that no one witnessed the Hilal. The
statement “As time passed Saudi sightings were proved
wrong on many occasions” is unfounded. The author has
not studied the facts that most of the months are of 30 days
and whenever a month gets 30, the next month begins before
anyone sees the crescent. So the statement that all months
must begin after seeing the crescent is certainly wrong.
Ru’uyah means observation and not mere seeing.
The author of the personal notes believes that the Hilal
should be literally seen before beginning a month because he
has not done any practical experiments on the Hilal
observations. He believes that dates can differ in different
towns and he does not know that two days for one Eid is not
allowed in the Shariah.
The crescent becomes visible only on the first day evening.
It is not visible on the last day of the month. But
observation of the Ahillah with the naked eye will tell us
when the Hilal would appear, well in advance. The author
should study about the Hilals or Ahillah of the moon, which
indicate dates for the people. (2:189).
Shawwal first of 1423 H was Thursday (5-12-2002). So the
announcement of Saudi on Wednesday evening was correct.
America, Canada, and Panama etc must follow it. By not
following the Qibla they have disobeyed the Prophet (saw).
Even a simple calculation will tell us that Thursday was the
first of Shawwal 1423H. All these dates were fixed on the day
the Earth and heavens were created says the Quran 9:36. Man
has no authority to change the dates which Allah (swt) has
fixed.
I am giving below the method of calculations. First day
of the Hijra calendar was 1-01-0001 = Thursday. So by
subtracting this from Shawwal first of 1423H we get.
1-10-1423H —?
1-01-0001H =Thursday
—————————
0- 9- 1422H = (nine months and 1422 year is
the time elapsed between the two events)
Now converting this into days we get the numbers of days
elapsed in the period. A year is 354.3671 and one month 29.53
days.
1422 x 354.3671
+
(9 x 29.53)
503910. 0162
+
265. 77
= 504175. 7862
——————————————————————
We get 504175
days
According to Astronomical algorithms the decimal point in
this case need not be considered as one day. So we get total
number of days elapsed as 50417, which should be converted
into weeks dividing by 7.
7) 504175 (72025
49
—————
14
14
—————
17
14
—————
35
35
—————
00
————
We get 72025 weeks only. Because there is no balance the day
for 1-10-1425H must be the same day, which is Thursday. If we
get a balance we must count the number of days from Thursday.
Thus we can get the day for any date of the Hijra calendar by
using the same calculations and the algorithmic tables. If we
do the Ibadah on the wrong day we may be included among those
who reject the Ayah of the Quran 55:5, 2:189, 10:5, 36:39
etc. May Allah (swt) protect us from Kufur and Shirk! It is
deplorable that the Muslims repeat this episode every year
without realizing the mistake.
Please study and learn that Saudi announcements are not
premature. Sticking on to the unfounded statements and
Fatwa’s that Hilal should be visible to the naked eye
before beginning every month misleads the Muslim Ummah. Such
Fatwas should be subjected to a review.
In our days the atmosphere is much polluted and the crescent
is seldom visible on the last day evening of the month. It
might have been visible during the period of the Prophet
(saw). But there is no recorded evidence that the Prophet
(saw) had tried to see the Hilal any time in his life or that
he had appointed anyone to see the Hilal for him. He has
never seen the first crescent. Have you tried to see it and
have you ever seen it? Why do you ask others to do something
which you yourself do not do? “Lima thaqooloona maa laa
thaf’aloon.”
When we postpone by one day the
following problem will arise
1. Omitting a
compulsory fast of Ramadan due to ignorance. This contradicts
the Hadees “As sawmu yawma yasoomunnasu” and the
Quran 2:189, 2:185. Beginning the month another day misleads
people and makes them believe that the right action of the
Ummul Qura is wrong and they celebrate the Eid one day later
disregarding the right announcement from Masjidul Haram. This
makes them fast on the Eid Day transgressing the limits of
Allah and his Rasool. This is a great sin which renders all
their Amal useless without their knowledge if they do not
repent.
2. Changing a
day of Ramadan into Sha’ban and a day of Shawwal into
Ramadan, which is forbidden by the Prophet (saw). Postponing
is forbidden in Quran 9:37.
3. Fasting on
the Eid Day of the Muslim Umma. There is only one day for
Eidul Fitre. People are made to believe that there are three
days for the first of Shawwal! This makes them believe that
existence of different Hijra calendar is correct.
4. Performing
the Ibadah after the time has passed. It is clearly stated in
all fiqh books that the Amal cannot be done before or after
the time fixed for it. The date fixed to begin the fasting is
the first of Ramadan, which is common for all. The time of
Imsak and Iftar differ at all places where as the day is
same. For example if Ramadan of 1426H began on Tuesday
(4-10-2005) all must begin on Tuesday irrespective of time
difference. Some will enter into fasting before Makkah and
some will enter into it after Makkah as usual according to
the time keeping order maintained in the world. Violation of
this is Haraam.
5. Belief in
the Bid’a of moon sighting will be continued. Seeing
the Hilal with the naked eye is not necessary in the Shariah
to begin a month. Discerning the month of 29 and 30 by
observing the Hilals or Ahillah of the moon is compulsory.
This is easy and possible from anywhere in the world. Moon is
present always and the phases are seen throughout the month
except for one day, which is the last day of the month. This
can be found out even by illiterates by observing the
Ahillah.
6.
Misinterpreting the Hadees “Soomooli Ruyathihi”.
Beginning the fasting on different days contradicts many
verses of the Quran and Hadees. Why do we not take a decision
in this matter when the Quran is a clear book and the
guidance of the Prophet (saw) the best guidance? Difference
of time in units of hours must be observed and the difference
of week days is not allowed in the Shariah. Fasting has Qadha
where as Salaah has no Qadha. Both are different. Qadha is
allowed in Saum and not allowed in Salaah. The first or
second fast omitted without knowing can be fasted after the
Eid, but fasting on Eid Day is Haraam.
The Hadees “La thasoomoo hattaa tharawul hilaala walaa
thufthiroo hattaa tharouhu” does not mean that you
should not begin the fasting until you see the Hilal and you
should not stop fasting until you see it. This meaning
contradicts the Quran and the Sunnah. “The sun and the
moon move with calculations” 55:5. “Ahillah
indicate the dates for the people and the Hajj.” 2:189.
“The months are predestined on the day Allah created
the Heavens and the Earth” (9:36). The clouds can
obscure the moon and if seeing is the criterion the dates
would change whenever the moon is hidden. Will this mean that
we should wait till we see the Hilal? The author has
overlooked all these points. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi
wasallam ordered the people to find out whether the Hilal
appeared on the 29th of the month. This
should not be based on calculation of sun set and moon set
difference. The Prophet (saw) and the Sahaba did not do it.
When we follow the method of the Prophet (saw) the 29th will
not fall on the day when the moon sets after the sun. But the
author looks for the Hilal only on the day when moon sets
after the sun. This is a BID’A invented by the non
Muslim astronomers. All BID’S should be avoided.
7. True Shahada
will be rejected. Shahada of persons who have observed the
Ahillah is rejected by saying that the moon has set before
the sun. Shahada for the month is required only in doubtful
situations and when there is no other means of knowing the
onset of Ramadan. But today we do not have any doubts. We can
get information from other places immediately. We need not
even look at the moon for our dates. We can calculate it
without any mistake just as we know our prayer times without
looking at the sun or its shadow. Allah (swt) has
informed about this in the Quran, “The sun and moon are
under precise calculation” (55:5) Saudi Govt. have
their own observatories and their own observers. This is more
than enough according to Shariah. Having two witnesses for
Hilal is only a formality. All countries must follow the
right decision of the Centre.
8. The
other communities will laugh at our ignorance. We do not know
anything about the perfect dating system of Islam. Without
Islam the place of beginning of the day cannot be decided.
Everyone could claim that Day begins in his land. But Islam
provides guide lines to begin the day. Islam gives a time
keeping order to be followed in the world. Date and day
are common for all in the world while time in hours differs
everywhere. Unity in prayer times is not required in the
Shariah because of the alternation of the day and night.
Makkah is the centre of the Muslim world; nay it is the
centre of civilization. So, all must agree with the Day
of Makkah (the Ummul Qura). There should be a place in the
earth where Mashriq and Magrib meet and the Kiblas change.
(55:17), this is the place where the days begin and end. The
people living there have two Fridays and opposite Kiblahs.
Some people pray Jumu’a of Friday while the others pray
Zuhar of Thursday. This is the place where Jumu’a is
held for days (two Fridays) Jumu’a today and tomorrow.
Two Fridays must be separated by the sea, International Date
Line.
Even here both the parties pray the Jumu’a on Friday
only! There will be two Eid days here. But both will
observe Eid on the same Week Day. If the Eid falls on
Thursday, both the groups will observe Eid on Thursday. They
will not observe it on Thursday and Friday as we do here now
due to our ignorance. The place of day change is a great Sign
of Allah. But unfortunately Muslims who bear witness for it
do not know about it. It is like not knowing one’s own
children.
9. The so-called
moon sighting BID’A will be continued. The Prophet
(saw) has not taught this affair. Khalid Shaukat, Dr.
Mohamed Ilyas, Dr .Mansur Ahamed and others believe
that Islam advocates two or three dates for
one day. How is it possible? The local authorities in
different towns of the world should contact the Islamic
centre Masjidul Haraam and announce the Islamic dates
correctly. They must study what the Book of Allah (swt) says
on the subject. Hiding the truth will expose them to the
curse of Allah (swt).
There is no weakness
in the Saudi observation. Alhamdu lillah they announce the
truth without fear and favor. But unfortunately they say that
someone has seen the Hilal when it is not possible to see it.
They should reveal the facts to the people. Hilal sighting is
not Islamic whereas Hilal observation and study is a must in
Shariah. The scholars should learn about the Hilals (phases
of the moon) and know that Saudi announcements are not
premature. The true scholars must come forward to study about
the Hilals under the light of the Quran which said “
yas aloonaka anil ahillathi” then they will know they
were postponing the fasting and Eids by one or two days.
Transposing is an addition to Kufur says the Quran
9:37. They follow the pre-Islamic calendar system that
was thrown under the feet by the Prophet (saw).
How did the Prophet (saw) decide the date? How did Sahaba
observe the Hilals? What is the so-called moon sighting?
What does the Quran say about the dates and the calendar?
Can there be two or three dates for one day in Islamic
calendar? Is the date a local affair? Is not
Islam the truth and the way of life for all people after
Muhammad (saw)?
Comments on “Addendum to
the Question from Barbados regarding”
It says their local Islamic date is 29th of Zul hijja and
Saudi date is 30th Zul hijja. First of all we must have an
idea about date and day. Date is not a local affair. A date
stands for a day and when the day is same the date which
stands for it cannot be different. So the date of Makkah
30th Zul hijja must be 30th Zul
hijja for Barbados also without any doubt. The Prophet (saw)
has not asked anyone to search for the Hilal after completing
30 days. The new month begins on the next day without
considering the Hilal. This is the clear teaching of
the Prophet (saw). Any other thing is Bid’ah, which
should be shunned. Monday the 3rd of March
2003 is the 30th of Zul hijja 1423H for all
people in the world. So without any doubt the first of
Muharram is Tuesday the 4th of March 2003 and
the 10th of Muharram falls on Thursday for
all people in the world.
We are sorry to state that the fatwa of Maulana M.Ashraf,
Maulana Rafeeq Ahamed and Maulana Ismail Bhana is not in
accordance with the Quran and Sunna of the Prophet (saw). It
contradicts the Quran, Hadees, views of the Imams and the
scholars of fiqh that the month decided according to Hilal in
one place should be acceptable to all.
The attestation of Mazahirul Uloom Saharanpur also is not
correct. It contradicts the Quran and the Sunnah. In case of
Hilal which indicate the date the difference of sun rise and
the sun set should not be considered. Their Fatwa is wrong.
Attestation of Jamie Islamia ta’leemuddeen Dhabail too
is not correct. Ikhtilaful mathalia should not be considered
in the case of the Hilal. They have failed to study the
matter. They repeat what others say without studying and
understanding the subject.
Nadwathul Ulema Lucknow had issued a Fatwa stating that
Ikhtilaful mathalia need not be considered in the case Hilal.
The ruling of one place on the earth will be applicable to
all according to them and their fatwa is correct.
Comments on “Darul
Ifta Jamia khairal Madaris , Multhan Pakistan”
The allegation against Saudi calendar is not
correct. Darul Uloom has not carried out
relevant studies regarding the Islamic calendar. Moon
sighting is only a Bid’a, not a Sunna of the Prophet
(saw) or Sahaba RA. The present day moon sighting is based on
sun set and moonset calculations, which is not the scientific
way of calculating the lunar month. The Prophet (saw) has not
ordered to do so. He ordered to find out whether the Hilal
appeared on the 29th of the month. This
29th of the month should not be different at
different Islamic towns and cities of the world and it should
not be based on the day the moon sets after the sun.
21st of February 1993 is Sunday 30th of
Sha’ban 1413 H for whole world. Hilal need not be
looked for on that day. The Shariah does not demand it.
Looking for the Hilal on 30th is a Bid’ah
and punishment awaits those who invent new things in the
religion. After 30th of Sha’ban,
Ramadan must follow. What is wrong with the Ulema of these
institutions? Why do they not judge matters of religion
according to the Quran and Sunnah?
According to Indian Hijra calendars the full moon never falls
on the 14th night. It comes always after
12th or 13th. This proves beyond
doubt that the Indian Calendars are same as the Jewish
calendar, one or two days behind. Moon sighting is not
a practice of Islam. The Prophet (saw) ordered to observe the
moon, not to see or sight it. If it was seeing he would have
ordered to see it on 30th also and he would
have demonstrated how to do it.
Blind following is not allowed in Islam. Hazrat Mufti Taqi
Usman and others should study astronomy before commenting on
the Ummul Qura calendar.
Comments on “DARUL – IFTAA WAL IRSHAD BRADFORD”
The Ulema of this institution too lack knowledge on this
subject. First of Muharram 1412H is Friday the 12th of
August 1991 and the first of Rajab 1412H is Sunday the 5thof
Jan 1992. A date should be calculable. Otherwise the calendar
is baseless, impractical and useless. Islamic calendar is
perfect and it cannot be impractical and useless. The Ulema
should learn the time keeping order in the world observed
in Islamic Shariah. Hawaii is
many hours behind Saudi Arabia. So Muharram first in Saudi
Arabia should be the eve of Muharram first in Hawaii.
The announcements of Saudi Arabia are correct most often,
Alhamdulillah. But they too sometimes postpone under
the pretext that no one has witnessed the Hilal.
Comments on “AHSANUL
FATAWA”
Fatwa issued by them contradicts the Quran and Sunnah. They
have not conducted a thorough study of the matter.
COMMENTS ON “EUROPEAN
COUNCIL FOR FATWA AND RESEARCH”
Comments on FATWA 8
Ramadan and Shawaal do not always begin after seeing
the crescent. Whenever Shaban ends in 30 days Ramadan begins
without anyone seeing the crescent because it is not required
in the Shariah. The same is true with the first of Shawwal
also. There is no Hadees authentic or feeble that imposes the
law that the months should begin only after seeing the
crescent. So “Soomoo li ru’uyatihi” should
not be taken literally. It only means that the months
should begin or end according to the moon’s Manazil.
The council has over-looked this important point. The belief
that every month in Islamic calendar begins only after seeing
the crescent contradicts the Quran and Sunnah. The correct
beginning of the months can be found only by observing the
Manazil and the Ahillah of the moon. The calculations confirm
this. The moon and sun travel under precise calculations. The
council agrees that sound scientific calculations can be
accepted.
The view of Shaikh Otheimeen RA in the matter of date is not
correct. May be he has no profound knowledge in this subject.
He says that there is difference of opinion among the
scholars. He is not an authority on the subject.
He is only a follower of some one.
The correct view is one date should denote one day for whole
world. The Prophet (saw) taught this in Hajjathul Wida
(10-12-10H = 6-3-632 AD Friday). The dates must be according
to the phases or the Manazil of the moon 2:189, 36:39 etc.
When the moon is in 7th Manazil the date
should be 7th, not 6th or 5th.
If the people begin the month after seeing the Hilal, the
dates would differ everywhere in the world while the days are
same for all. This is not only absurd but also impractical in
the world and the Shariah does not allow it.
Sheik Othaimeen RA may not be aware of the time keeping
system observed in the world. In Islamic Shariah, daily
Ibadah performed in periods of hours must be different
everywhere because time in hours depends on the angles of sun
and one’s horizon. Islam enjoins observing this
difference. But the days, weeks, months or years which are
not connected with the horizons should not be different. It
is common for all in the world. We learn this from the Jumu’a
prayer, which cannot be said except at Zuhar of Friday. The
time of Jumu’a is noon which is different everywhere on
Earth but all perform Jumu’a on Friday at noon
according to the local time. It cannot be performed on
Saturday. All must perform it in a single day, so also the
Day of Arafa, Youmun Nahar, Eidul Fitre or any other Day.
Arafa fasting should be on the Day when people stand at
Arafa. This Day will have a name and all should observe it on
that particular Day, not on any other day. Time of beginning
and ending of the Day will naturally differ everywhere. Islam
follows this natural system.
Observing the fasting of Ramadan and Eids on different days
knowingly is Haraam in the Shariah. All must observe it
on the same day. For example: If the first of Ramadan
fell on Friday according to the Manazil of the moon, all in
the world must begin fasting on Friday. Doing it
on any other day would be transgression of the orders of
Allah and His Rasul. It will be a bid’ah which should
be avoided.
“Faman shahida minkumus shahra” does not mean,
“so whoever of you sights the crescent”. It means
“so whoever of you bears witness for the month”.
Allah (swt) does not want to make things difficult for
people. But it does not mean that we should become foolish by
fasting on the Day of Eid saying that it is easier than
fasting one more day after the Eid.
“Whoever does
not see it is not obliged to fast” this is wrong. Most
of us do not see the crescent and most often none of the
Muslim sees the Hilal with the naked eye before beginning
Ramadan or Shawwal when it begins after completing 30 days
for the outgoing month. But fasting of the Ramadan is
compulsory if one is not sick or on a travel. The author’s
translation is wrong.
The scholars have
differed concerning the issue only due to lack of knowledge
on the subject. They should at least act on the views of four
Imams that the decision of one place basing on the Manazil of
the moon is enough for all in the world. This would have
solved the problem long back. Believing that Imams were short
of knowledge is dangerous because Allah (swt) guided them
aright. The Quran reads: “wallazeena jaahadoo feenaa
lanahdiyannahum subulanaa.”
The views of the Imams should not be rejected unless they
contradict Quran and Sunnah. If the view of Sheikhul Islam
Ibin Thaymya RA in this matter contradicts Quran and Sunnah
as stated by the author it must be rejected.
The months begin with days of the week. Ramadan begins on one
week day only. It cannot begin on Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday as it is done by the people now. Beginning a
month or a year on two or three days is wrong and absurd. It
is not logic. Breaking or Imsak of the fast is confined to
the local times, which are different throughout the world.
Time is connected with the horizons. The people who live east
of Makkah will be earlier in their diurnal observances
according to the distances between them. For Example India is
about two and half hours ahead of Arabia in all their diurnal
duties. And those who live west of Makkah will be later
accordingly. Time differs between two places situated on
different longitudes. Ibnu Thaymya RA has over looked these
points and so his view in this matter should not be followed.
Following a wrong view of someone without knowledge is
Taqleed, which is Haram in the Shariah.
“Once this is established with regard to time for
starting and ending of the daily fast, it also applies to the
start and end of the monthly fast. There is no difference
between them. But if many regions come under the same
government and the ruler gives command for the start and end
then this command must be followed because this is a matter
of scholarly dispute but the command of the ruler dispels
that dispute” This view ascribed to Sheikh Muhammad
Salih Al Othaimeen RA as written on 28/8/1420 is wrong.
No one should follow this wrong statement. Starting and
ending of fasting is connected with the local sun rise and
sun set which is connected with one’s horizon. Prayer
times Imsak and Ifthar must be different even in a big
country. But beginning of a month depends on the Ahillah of
the moon which is not connected with the horizons. Time is
different everywhere but day or date must be same everywhere
in the world. All have the same day or date. The command of
the ruler against the order of Allah (swt) and his Rasool is
not valid and not to be followed. No one has partnership with
Allah (swt) and Ibadah is for Him alone. It will be Shirk and
Kufur to follow someone against the orders of Allah (swt).
Comments on “Ulema Council
of North America And The Committee For Crescent
Observation”
The committee’s decision that the correct date of Eid
-Ul- Adha in N. America and most of the world is Friday
January 21/2005 is wrong because:
(1) Islamic Shariah allows only one date for a day for all
people living in the World. The date of N.America is not
different. Day is common for all and so the date that
represents it cannot be different. The committee has
overlooked this important point.
2) The Eid ul Adha should be on the tenth of Zul hijja
according to the commands of the Prophet (saw) and 10th of
Zul hijja 1425H cannot be two days. It falls on Thursday
according to the Manazil of the moon 10:5, 2:189, 55:5,
36:39. We can check this even today with the astronomical
data. Who is responsible for the wrong calculation? The
committee should come forward with a relevant answer.
3) The holy city of Ummul Qura observed Eidul Adha on
Thursday. America is about 9 to 15 hrs behind Makkah. They
cannot postpone by one day (more than 24 hrs). Their decision
in defiance to the Prophet (saw) is disobedience and a great
sin, which requires repentance. The Ulema will not bear
responsibility for it on the Day of Judgments. They will
undergo punishment for their own sins and for misleading the
people (16:25). The decision of ULNA and CFCO supporting ISNA
and ICNA to announce Eid on Friday disregarding the Masjidul
Haram certainly contradicts Quran and Sunnah. Let
them prove their stand from Quran and Hadees if their claim
is correct.
The Ummah has not committed this blunder for the past 1400
years. The Prophet (saw) decreed that Yaumu Arafa should be
observed on the 9th and the Yaumun Nahar on
the 10th of Zul hijja. Muslims all over the
world followed it till recently. Ummul Qura, Makkah al
Mukarramah decided to observe the Eidul Adha on Thursday
according to the Manazil of the moon and their decision was
correct. The others have no right to disregard their right
decision. All must abide by the right decision of Masjidul
Haraam, the Kiblah of the Muslims according to the views of
Imams and scholars.
Saudi authorities have acted courageously
without fear or favor for anyone except Allah
(swt) this year, Alhamdulilah. Allah (swt) will reward them
for their steadfastness to the truth. The Prophet (saw) did
not fix the date of Arafa after seeing the crescent with the
naked eye. Is there any evidence for it? He decided it
correctly according to the phases or Ahillah of the Moon. In
the Lailathut Tharwiya, which is after the first quarter of
the moon, the moon sets around mid night. Youmu Tharwiya is
on the 8th day of Zul hijja. In the evening
of the seventh day the moon will be half like a big crescent
on the meridian at sunset. It is the last crescent on the
waxing phase. It is the unmistakable indicator of the eighth
day of the month.
The declaration of Eid al
fitre on Nov 13, 2004 and Eid ul adha on 20th Jan
2005 is purely on the scientific observation
of the Ahilla of
the moon as commanded in the Quran under the
instructions of Allah’s Messenger
Muhammad (saw).Someone who observed the Ahillah would have
born witness for the Hilal. Often people bear witness even
when the moon has set before the sun. This is based on other
methods of observation of the Ahillah. The months fixed on
such witnessing are correct according to the astronomical
data. The months begun after seeing the crescent with
the naked eye are always wrong and it is not the method of
the Prophet (saw). We must rely on the observation of the
Ahillah or the Manazil of the moon as directed in the Quran.
The Qadi at the Ummul
Qura has decided by the Ilmul yaqeen, not by seeing, which is
Zann, or whims of the people. Please note that the Prophet
(saw) did not make seeing of the crescent as necessary or
compulsory to begin the month. He said if the Hilal appeared
on the western horizon on the 29thbegin the new month next
day. If not begin the next month after completing 30 days
without seeing the crescent. Seeing the crescent before
beginning a month is not required in Shariah. Observation of
the Ahillah decides the matter.
Moonset and sunset
difference is not a scientific method of defining the month
because it varies from place to place on the earth and the
month should not begin differently at different places in the
world. All must begin the month on the same day. In some
places in the world there is no setting of the sun or the
moon. Seeing of the crescent is not practical everywhere and
so it is not the criterion for deciding the months. Seeing
the crescent with the naked eyes comes under the category of
Zann and this has no value when compared with the
observations and calculations mentioned in the Quran (10:5,
55:5).
The earlier decision
of the Saudi Arabia was wrong and they corrected it when they
were informed about the mistake. The Hijra committee of India
sent telegrams on both the occasion Edul ul fitre and Eidul
ul Adha requesting them to correct their wrong dates.
The decision of the
Zaituna Institute of America is unfounded. They also believe
that the months begin only after seeing the crescent. They
too do not consider the Manazil and Ahillah of the moon as a
necessity to define the months as demanded in the Quran.
Their views contradict the Quran and the Sunnah.
The dates of the month depend on the Ahilla of the moon and
so the new moon day or no moon day is the last day of the
month. Hijra calendars must be computed on this principle.
“The two months of Eid will not both be incomplete”
the meaning of this Hadees is not clear. Incomplete can only
be 28 days. The Prophet (saw) said that there are
months of 29 or 30days. Both are complete. Zul
hijja is a month of Eid but Ramadan is not a month of Eid.
Shawwal and Zul hijja are months of Eid. If we get 28 days of
fasting in Ramadan we must fast one or two days as the case
may be, after Eid to compensate for the lost days of
Ramadan.
The Eidul fitre and Eidul Adha was instituted in the second
year after Hijra. The Prophet (saw) always performed the
Eidul Fitre on the first of Shawwal and the Eidul Adha on the
tenth of Zul hijja. He observed Arafa fasting on the ninth of
Zul hijja and Nahar on tenth of Zul hijja. There is no
confusion in this matter. The confusion is whether the 9th of
Zul hijja can be different at different places on earth.
The answer is simple. The date and day are same and must be
common for all in the world because Jumu’a Day is
common for all but time of Jumu’a prayer differs at all
places. The day of Eid must be common for all and the time of
performing the Eid prayer will depend on the local time just
as in the case of Jumu’a prayer.
Seeing the crescent or moon sighting is not the criterion to
begin the months. There are months of 29 and 30 in a year. A
year has 6 months of 29 and 6 months 30 or 5 months 29 and 7
months of 30. There will not be 7 months of 29 in any year of
the Hijra calendar. So there are more months of 30 than those
of 29. Whenever a month gets 30 days according to the
observation system of the Prophet (saw) the next month begins
before the crescent become visible to the naked eye. The
common belief that all months begin only after seeing the
crescent is a superstition. According to all Imams, when you
get the information that Eid is on Friday and you have
completed only 28 fasts then you should celebrate the Eid
with the world and recompense for the lost fasts after Eid.
Fasting on the Day of Eid is Haram in the Shariah. Praying
Eid on different days knowingly is a Bid’a.
We have misunderstood the meaning of the word “Ru’uyah”.
It has more meanings than one. Quran itself uses it in
many meanings. It should be “fast depending on its
Ru’yah (view)” not “when you see the
Hilal”.
Every day the moon
has a certain Phase and Manazil, which indicates the date for
the mankind in the world. The moon cannot indicate one date
for India and another date for Arabia or America. It never
remains in one Manazil for two days. We have not understood
the meaning of date and day. That is why we are
confused. Islamic Shariah teaches this in clear terms. We are
unable to get rid of our old superstition. We do not think of
the Ahillah and the Manazil mentioned in the Quran. The
people of the Prophet’s (saw) time asked him about it.
Allah (swt) ordered him to tell them that the Ahillah
indicated dates for the people. It is recorded in the Hadees
that the Prophet (saw) said: “Ja’alallahul
Ahillatha mawaakeetha linnasi fa soomoo li ru’uyatihi
wa afthiroo liru’uyatihi fa in gumma alaikumus shahru
fa uddoo thalaatheena youman”. The Prophet (saw)
ordered them to find out whether Hilal appeared on 29th and
decide the month accordingly. Certainly the Prophet (saw) has
not permitted to make a month of 29 into a month of 30 just
because a cloud obstructed the view. The Sahaba did not do
it.
“Fast
on the day when you all fast, break the fast on the day you
all break the fast and the day of sacrifice is the day when
you all sacrifice” is a Hadees that orders us to do all
these Ibada on one Day just as Jumu’a which is
performed by all on one Day (Friday). If we pray Jumu’a
on Saturday or Sunday it will not be accepted. It will only
be a Bid’a and transgression of the limits of Allah
(swt). In the same way if the Eid ul Fitre falls on Thursday
according to the Manazil of the Moon but we performed it on
Friday and Saturday it will not be accepted in the sight of
Allah (swt).
Sighting here does not means actual seeing with the naked
eye. It only means the appearing of Hilal on the western
horizon. This can be known without any doubt by observing the
Hilals or by calculations. One need not go and gaze at the
time of Magrib. It can be verified by the naked eye
observation of the Ahillah of the moon. Compelling people to
do Ibadah on the wrong day will be Shirk. Some people
may observe the Hilal and others may not, but all must accept
the witnessing of those who have observed. They should not
say our date is different. Islamic Shariah will be
mocked at by such foolish practices of the Muslims.
Yaumul Jumu’a teaches us the oneness of days in the
world. So, all are bound to do their daily duties of the
Shariah on the same day, but the timings will be different.
There is no harm in doing the Amal of the Day before or after
our centre the Masjidul Haram. This is permitted, but leaving
the Day and doing the Ibada on another Day is not permitted
and those who stray will fall in to the Hell, just as the
wolf catches the sheep that stray from the herd.
COMMENTS ON “DR. MOHAMED AUWWAL”
Dr. M. Auwwal should learn about the perfect dating system of
the Islamic Shariah. Imam Sudais urging the Muslims to unite
must be supported by cooperation. North Americans celebrating
Eid ul Adha more than 24 hrs later than the Masjidul Haram,
the Centre of Islam is certainly wrong. They should have
followed Makkah and clarified their doubts later if they
could not agree. Fasting on the Day of Eid of the Ummah is
Haraam for which there is no excuse. They go out of the Ummah
according to the sayings of the Prophet (saw). If they got 28
fasts they could do Kaza after the Eid. This is permitted in
the Shariah. But fasting on the Day of Eid is Haraam.
Their stand is to be criticized and blamed. They sow the seed
of disunity among the Muslims all over the world by such
actions.
The common man has no opinion is this matter. Ulema differ in
their views due to ignorance and mislead the people during
the Eids. They do not discuss and arrive at a final decision
but keep silent till another Eid comes ushering a new chance
to separate. This attitude of the Ulema must be condemned.
Saudi authority has certain knowledge, which we do not have.
So it is our duty to ask them and learn. This is not an
incident to be stunned at. Those who have no knowledge must
follow the Centre of Islam because it is our Kiblah. Those
who claim that the Saudi announcements of Eidul fitre and
Eidul Adha of 1425 were wrong should prove their stand from
Quran and Sunnah?
www.moonsighting.com is
not handled by an astronomer or an erudite scholar in Islamic
laws. Seeing the crescent is not necessary for the Islamic
calendar. A calendar cannot be drawn in advance based on it.
Br. Khalid Shaukat blindly follows what other say. He agrees
that moon in its cycle had crossed the line of conjunction of
earth and Sun which is the criterion to define a lunar month
scientifically at 12:03 hrs UT on Monday 10.01.2005. So there
is no reason why Tuesday should not be the first of Zul
hijja according to the rules of Shariah. But Br. Khalid
Shaukat wants to please the people till they see the crescent
at Makkah to begin Zul hijja. Makkah or Arabia is not
the last place where the days end. If the moon sets 3 minutes
before sunset in Saudi Arabia it would set about 28 minute
after the sunset at the place where the day ends in the
world. Then why should not Zul hijja begin on Tuesday?
It is right that the American Imams ignored the decision of
the institutions, which come forward with wrong fatwas. What
is right must be enjoined and what is wrong should not be
supported. Dr Muhammad Awwal has not awakened so far. He is
still in the old slumber. He has never used his eyes for
finding out the months by using the method of Prophet (saw).
He has not practiced what the Prophet (saw) has commended
“Sumoo li Ru’uyatihi” If he does this he
will get out of his slumber.
The Muslim Arab youth Association (Maya) is real “Maya”
in its true meaning. They are in a Maya and do not understand
the truth. They are in a dream.
Please learn and realize that seeing the crescent is not
required in the Shariah to begin the months. Those who
celebrated Eidul fitr and Edul ul adha of 1425H on the wrong
day have not used their thinking and their Amal will not be
accepted and they will meet the punishment on the Judgment
Day if they did not repent. Please repent and return to the
truth and do not repeat this mistake again. Allah is always
forgiving and merciful.
We are responsible for what we say. On what day did the
people of Madina observe Eidul Adha on the occasion of the
Prophet’s Arafa? We must have sahih Hadees in this
connection. How can we say that Youmu Arafa is not on ninth
of Zil Hijja? The Prophet (saw) observed the Arafa fast and
the Eidul Adha after the second year of Hijra till his
demise. Did not the Prophet (saw) appoint the day of Arafa on
the ninth and day of Nahar on tenth of Zul Hijja? How can we
say that there is no conditional link between the two?
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