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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
some times 30 and some times 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 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 no body
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 7th
Manazil 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 13th
instead 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 look for 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
website www.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 any where 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 7-01-2005 =
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 as 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 here after 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 pervious 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 different 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 any where 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 to day 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 ones 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
some one 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
any one 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 5th of 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 ma 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 out going
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
Ifthat 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 some one 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).Some one 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 29th
begin 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 days end 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?
The Muslims knew about their calendar.
It might have been observed differently
due to lack of communication, which was
poor in those days but no one celebrated
Eid on the second of Shawwal or Eid ul
Adha on the 11th of Dul hijjah knowingly
till our times. They might have gone
wrong in their dates without knowledge.
This does not warrant that Eidul Adha
can be observed on Two days, Thursday
and Friday in the world. Please provide
evidence from Quran and Sunnah for the
wrong statements.
The rules of Islam should be taken from
Quran and Sunnah instead of taking them
from the practice of the people. Can we
say that if the crescent is not seen
consecutively for 12 months, then all
months will get 30 days? Such arguments
are unfounded and contradictory to Quran
and Sunnah.
Before blaming others we must ensure
whether what we say is according to
Quran and Sunnah. All bid’ah are
condemned and they lead to Hell. The
Prophet (saw) did not allow two days for
the celebration of one Eid. Celebrating
Eid on two days, Thursday and Friday is
a clear transgression of the limits of
Allah (swt).
May Allah
forgive us our shortcomings and Shower
his blessings on all Muslims.
Ali manikfan
Do Nothing
farm, Kizhananevi P.O,
Vallioor –
627117 Tamil Nadu INDIA.
Mobile
(+91)98423-86224 Phone 04637-294556
Please convey
this message to all brethren in your
area. If you have any doubt please
Contact
irc@sancharnet.in
Please visit
our site also.
www.hijracalendar.com
www.hijramooncalendar.com
www.moonobservation.com
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