Home 

Articles 

Calendar

Moon 

Date Line 

From Quran

FAQ

Letters

Preface

Contact Us


 
Hijra Calendar

     


The Islamic calendar (Hijra calendar) is a purely lunar calendar. It contains 12 months that are based on the phases and stages of the moon, and because 12 synodic months is only 12 x 29.53059=354.3671 days, the Islamic calendar is consistently shorter than a tropical year, and therefore it shifts with respect to the Christian calendar. The calendar is based on the Qur'an (Sura IX, 36-37) and its proper observance is a sacred duty for Muslims.


Unfortunately some Muslim astronomers have suggested that lunar date lines should be marked on the world map for the Muslims to begin their fasting and celebrating their Eid. According to them this would depend on the first visibility of the crescent and the date would begin form that place. The so-called curved lunar date lines always keep on changing and they pass through cities, towns and even houses! They do not abide the rules of the date line. So the Lunar date lines are impractical and meaningless. They are neither scientific nor Islamic.

Hijra Calendar is the same astronomical Lunar Calendar and the month begins and ends on conjunction (Astronomical new moon), conjunction being the last day of the month. Sometimes the conjunction falls on 29th day and sometimes on 30th day. Each phase of the moon and its angular distance indicates each date and it is like a natural calendar hung in the sky. Sometimes we cannot see the moon because of the changes in weather, but it does not make any difference in calendar dates because it is related to the motion of the moon. Its physical visibility is not the criterion. The astronomical new moon times and dates are already computed exactly for thousands of years backward and forward.


CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD HIJRA CALENDARS 

See the Moon Calendar of Paul Carlisle or http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/phase 

Geography of Days - Prayers - Fasting -Kiblah New Flash Movie 

NEW Reply to Imam Dr Abduljalil Sajid by Ali Manikfan 

NEW The hilal issue cannot be let to rest until Muslims do themselves right - IQRA, Vol. 19, No. 10



RAMADAN 1431

Calendar discrepancy

July 11, 2010 was the day of the total solar eclipse. The next day, July 12, 2010 must be the first of the next Hijri month Shaban, 1431 but the Saudi calendar Taqweem Um Al-Qura printed July 13, 2010 as the first of Shaban, 1431 Hijri. How a Hijri month starts two days after the solar eclipse? This is unacceptable from religious and astronomical point of view.

The concerned authority for the Saudi calendar must revise their criterion to rectify this mistake otherwise the mistake will be repeated many times in future.

Alimanikfan


TELEGRAM TO KING ABDULLAH

ASSALAMU ALAIKUM WARAHMATHULLHI WABARAKATHUHU (STOP) UMMULQURA CALENDAR OF KACST WRONG CONTRADICTS QURAN SNNAH AND SCIENCE (STOP) RAJAB BEGAN SUNDAY ENDED SUNDAY 29 DAYS (STOP) SOLAR ECLIPSE SUNDAY 11-7-2010 MARKED END OF RAJAB (STOP) KACST INCLUDING MONDAY IN RAJAB VIOLATED QURAN 9:37 (STOP) SHABAAN BEGAN MONDAY BUT KACST TUESDAY (STOP) SHABAAN COMPLETES 30 ON TUESDAY BUT KACST 29 ON TUESDAY (STOP) KACST CHANGES 29 INTO 30 NOT FOLLOWING MANAAZIL OF MOON (STOP) RAMADAN BEGINS WEDNESDAY ENDING WEDNESDAY 29 DAYS BUT KAQCST GIVES 30 DAYS.MAKING PEOPLE FAST ON EIDULFITR THURSDAY (STOP) KACST EID ON FRIDAY CERTAINLY WRONG (STOP) PLEASE IMPLEMENT SCIENTIFIC LUNAR CALENDAR TO AVOID CONFUSION (STOP) WASSALAM

ALI MANIKFAN ADVISOR HIJRI COMMITTEE OF INDIA

30-7-2010/19-8-1431.

The Hijerian calendar of Makkah recently introduced is based on pure Bid'ah of beginning the month after the new crescent becomes visible to the naked eye somewhere on earth. The Prophet and Sahaba never waited to see the new crescent. They began the new month when they were sure of the ending of the previous month. This was known by observing the waning crescents in the last quarter of the month. The calculations used in Hijerian calendar are based on wrong notions. 12:00 hrs UT is taken as the end of the day. Even the students of elementary classes know that a day is comprised of 24 hours. How do the inventors of Hjerian calendar take 12:00 hrs Ut as the end of the day? What will they do if the conjunction is at 12:01 hrs UT.? Their criterion will prevent them from fasting or celebrating Eid on the next day! This violates the Haraam and Halaal of Allah.

In Kerala where the time difference is about 10 minutes only, at Kasargode the moon set will be later by one or 2 minutes and at Trivandrum it will be before. This clearly proves that the inventors of the Hijerian calendar do not have the basic knowledge of astronomy. Without thorough knowledge in astronomy this subject cannot be dealt with.

The Prophet and the Sahaba knew very well that the Hilaal becomes visible only on the first day of the month after sun set. The Hilaal is never seen on the last day of the month. The Hilaal of first and second day is not seen before sunset and the first day's crescent is seen only at some places on earth. Hence the order to accept information received from other sources.

Ibn Abbas R clearly informed that the Prophet told him:" Amaddahu lirru'uyathi fahuwa lilailathin ra'aithumoohu". Allah has prepared it for observation, so the one you saw is for the night you saw it. It means that the Hilaal that is seen belongs to that day, not for tomorrow. We must realize that if we began the month on the next day after seeing the Hilaal we are losing the first day!

"See the moon and fast, see the moon and break the fast" cannot be taken literally as done by some people. It only means that we must begin the fasting on the first of Ramadan according to the moon.

"The Prophet and Sahaba began the month after seeing the crescent" is a rumor which has been given wide publicity long back. Following it blindly has jeopardized the Muslim community all over the world. It is high time that we ended such unauthorized practices. We must come back to Quran and Sunnah

I have measured the elongation this morning at sun rise. The reading is 115 degrees.

The estimated readings for the next few days till the end of this month will be as follows:

Sunday 115 degrees -12 per day

Monday 103

Tuesday 91

Wednesday 79

Thursday 67

Friday 55 deg

Saturday 43

Sunday 31

Monday 19

Tuesday 7

On Tuesday the moon will not be visible because both are in one stage (Manaazil). So Tuesday is the last day of the month and Wednesday must be the first of the next month Ramadan without any boubt.

Ali manikfan

21-8-1431/1-8-2010


Dear Brothers & Sisters


Assalamu Alaikum W R W B



Today Saturday is the 14th of Rajab according to the manaazil and ahillah appointed for the moon by Almighty Allah SWT on the very Day of creation. Science has proved that everything in the universe is moving perfectly without any flaw enabling us to predict the astronomical events exactly many years in advance.

Saturday morning (26 June) the moon's setting before the sun rise indicated that the moon is attaining its full size and this evening sun and moon will be in opposition - you can see the moon rising from the East while the sun sets in the West.


Astronomical data say that the moon will be partially eclipsed tonight and it will not be visible in many parts of the world. This indicates that Rajab will end in 29 days. I request observers to continue their observation and verify the astronomical predictions.


It is high time that Moon sighting Committee Worldwide stopped their childish and meaningless way of moon sighting which jeopardize the Islamic principles.

Saudi Arabia and America have begun Jumaadil Aakhir and Rajab before anyone could see the Hilaal. This proved that "See the Hilaal and begin the month" is only a myth. It is a wrong interpretation of the hadees "Soomoo li ru'uyathihi". The Moon sighting Committee Worldwide should consider this and stop their wrong method of moon sighting immediately.

Rajab had begun on Sunday. (13 June). The lunar eclipse falling on Saturday proves that the middle of Rajab (opposition or Nisf Shahr) is over by Saturday. This also indicates that Saturday the 28th of Rajab (10th July) the Urjoonul qadeem, the last waning crescent can be seen, by Fajr on the Eastern horizon, Insha Allah. The moon will be invisible on Sunday the 29th of Rajab (11th July). Sun and moon will be in the same manaazil that day. It is the conjunction day, the last day of the month.

On 11th July, the rising point of the sun and moon falls on the same compass point and a solar eclipse will occur. This marks the end of Rajab. Sunday will be the last day of Rajab and Shaban begins on Monday (12th July).


Since Jumaadil Aakhir and Rajab had 29 days each, usually the third month has 30 days. So, Shaban will end on Tuesday (10th August) .


Ramadaan will begin on Wednesday (11th August).


In sha Allah we all will begin fasting of Ramadaan from Wednesday Fajr onwards. Astronomical new moon occurs on Wednesday the 29th of Ramadan and Ramadan is over by Wednesday (8th Sep) and Shawwal begins on Thursday (9th Sep).


The Eid falls on Thursday, 9th Sep 2010


The Observers may confirm by their observations that scientific calculations are accurate.

We regret to state that moonsighting.com is encouraging people to continue the Bid'ah of moonsighting to start the months. Islamic months never begin after seeing the first crescent. If we examine the past and recent data for many years we can see that the months in Haramain where Quran was revealed always began the months before the crescent was seen to the naked eyes. This can be seen from the data collected by Dr. Khalid Shaukat for many years. The old tafsirs like Ibn Kathir, Kurtubi etc also have recorded that the first waxing crescent becomes visible to the naked eye only on the first day of the month after sun set.

Dr. Khalid Shaukat who himself is aware of the hilaal seeing only by sunset on the first day and others must realize that the lunar month should be calculated according to astronomical rules. The astronomical day changes in the world on the IDL at noon and this time is represented in UT as 00:00 hrs. Their assumption that it is 12:00 hrs UT is wrong.


It is high time that ISNA and other Muslim organizations accepted the scientific way of calculating the lunar months and ended the existing controversy about the hilaal. All Muslims must agree upon the true lunar dates according to the manaazil of the moon as ordered in the Quran 2:189..

Saudi Arabia and America having the same date and Pakistan having another date for the same day is not in keeping with Islamic norms. Dr.Sultan Alam should come forward and correct this serious mistake.


I repeat my request that it is high time ISNA gave up their wrong methods and accepted the astronomical calculations without beating about the bush.



May Almighty Allah keep all of us in the Right Path and provide a place for all of us in Jannathul Firdouse. Aameen




Wa Salaam


Dear Brothers & Sisters


Assalamu Alaikkum W R W B

Let those who have eyes see the waning crescents and find out the beginning of the month as directed in the Quran. The Hilaal is not mentioned in the Quran. Why? Quran is not the words of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).  The hilaal will not be seen on the last day of the month. Hilaal is the waxing crescent which becomes visible only on the first day of the month after the sun set. It cannot be seen before sun set. Usually the waxing crescent becomes visible before the sun set only on the third day.

 
Seeing the Hilaal and beginning the month on the following day was the custom prevalent in Arabia and other places before the advent of Islam. The calculation of the Jewish artificial lunar calendar is based on this visibility. Therefore their calendar is always one or two days behind. Even today the same Jewish calendar is circulated among the Muslims all over the world and a scrutiny into it will reveal that full moon falls on the 12th of the month !!!!
 
The word Hilaal is from "Halla"- to announce. They used to see the first crescent and announce the advent of the new month. This wrong practice which made the dates disagree with the phases of the moon was rectified by the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) when the fasting was imposed in the second year of Hijra.  Quran 2:189 points to this.


The dates of the true lunar calendar can be read from the phases of the moon. Even illiterates can do this without any difficulty. But our moon sighing brothers follow a Bid'ah and get lost in it."Summun bukmun umyun fahum laa yarjioon" says the Quran.


"Wa'in yarrow kulla aayathin laa yu'minoo bihaa wa'in yarrow sabeelal rushdhi la  yatthakhizoo hu sabeelan ........"  - "and (even) if they see all the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc), they will not believe in them. " (Quran 7:146). They practice a wrong method and put the blame on the our beloved Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) that he has ordered them to begin the month after seeing the Hilaal, which will not be visible on the last day.
 
On Saturday,  22nd of Jumadil Akhir (05 June 2010)  the reading of elongation measured was 89.5 degrees. The moon is almost half. Do the moon sighting friends understand from this reading  that moon is entering into last quarter? Sunday it must be about 78 degrees and the perfect crescent will be seen which indicates that next Sunday (13 June) will be the first of Rajab.
 
Let the moon sighing friends understand that their method of fixing the month is  based on pure Bid'ah and they will never be rightly guided if they followed the Bid'ah.


The Quran clearly explains in simple words about the moon overtaking the sun. This is the conjunction which takes place at the end of every lunar month. This is the last day of the month and this can be found out by looking for the last visible phase the 'urjoonul qadeem' mentioned in the Quran. It is seen one day before the end of the month, on the eastern horizon around Fajr. By following the Quranic instructions which the Prophet (Peace  Be Upon Him) and sahaba (RA) followed, we can find out the beginning of the month without making any mistake.
 
Almighty Allah SWT has assigned the phases for the moon on the very day of creation. No one can change or shift them blaming on clouds or one's vision.


Now let us observe and count the phases and see when Ramdaan 1431 will begin.


We have seen the first waxing crescent of Jumaadil Ukhra on Saturday the first of the month (15th May). We will see the last waning crescent on Friday the 28th  of the month (11th June). We cannot see the moon on Saturday the 29th    which is the last day of the month.


You all know that after the last day the first day must follow. Rajab begins on Sunday (!3th June) and we can see the first waxing crescent on Sunday, the first of Rajab,  after sunset. We will see Insha Allah  the last waning crescent of Rajab on Saturday the 28h of the month (10 July). Moon will not be visible on Sunday the 29th the last day of Rajab.


Shaban begins on Monday  (12th July) and we can see the first waxing crescent on the first of Shaban Monday after sun set. The last waning crescent of Shaban can be seen on Monday the 29th of Shaban (9th August). The moon cannot overtake he sun on that day and we complete 30
 days to  Shaban  (10th  August).


Ramadaan begins on Wednesday  (11th August) by its own righ at dawn. We can see the Hilaal on Wednesday after sun set (after ifthar of tthe first day's fasting) .


According to astronomical data Ramdaan 1431 has only 29 days. The last waning crescent can be seen on 28th Ramdaan, Tuesday morning (7th Sep). Moon will not be seen on Wednesday because it is the last day of the month.


 Thursday (9th Sep) is the first of Shawwal the day of the Eidul fitre of 1431H.


Fasting on the day of Eid is declared Haram by our Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). Let us not change the fixed dates of Allah and let us observe the orders of Almighty Allah scrupulously.


May Almighty Allah keep all of us in the Right Path and provide a place for all of us in Jannathul Firdouse.  Aameen

.

Wassalam,




MOON OBSERVATION REPORT

Assalamu alaikum WR WB,

Moon observation report

Moon was observed from Riyadh on Saturday 26-9-2009 at sun set. Moon phase was more than half and crescent shape had vanished and gibbous was forming. Friday evening it was slightly less than half and it was the last crescent on the waxing phase of the moon. The observers would have known by seeing it that Friday was the seventh of Shawwal and Saturday the 8th.

The Quran clearly states that the phases of the moon indicate the dates for the people. “Hiya mawaaqeethu linnasi” 2:189  The Prophet SAW explained it: “Ja’allahul ahillatha mawaaqueetha linnasi fasoomoo li ru’uyathihi wa afthiroo li ru’uyathihi….” Allah has made the phases as dates for people, so you fast according to its view and celebrate EiduFitre according to its view…..

Certainly those who observed the Eidul Fitre on Sunday have wronged themselves by neglecting the Ayath of the Quraan (9:37) and the instructions of the Prophet SAW. They must repent for the great sin of neglect and disobedience.

The Prophet SAW also warned: “Asshahru this’un wa ishroona, laa thasoomoo hattha tharawul hilaala walaa thufthiroo hattha tharouhu …….” The month is of 29 days, so do not fast without considering the Hilaal and do not celebrate Eidul Fitre without considering it. People have failed to do this also. In spite many warnings which we made in advance people have certainly failed to observe the crescents and wronged themselves by adding a day of Ramadan into Shaban and fasting carelessly on Saturday the first of Shawwal, the Day of Eidul Fitre of 1430H of the Muslim Ummah. Allah SWT is watching over us. Let us repent immediately for the sin and mend our ways in future. Let us not be careless and commit the same blunder again in future. Allah is oft forgiving, most merciful.

Please read: “Qul hal nunabbiu kum bil Akhsareena a’amaalan. Allazeena lalla sa’ayuhum fil hayaathid dunya wahum yahsaboona annahum yuhsinoona sun’aa. Ulaa’ikallazeena kafaroo bi’aayaathi Rabbihim waliqaa’ihi fahabithat a’amaaluhum falaa nuqeemu lahum yaumal qiyaamathi waznan” 18:103-105

Let us observe the moon carefully and throw our wrong calendars into the waste basket. They mislead us and make us transgress the limits of Allah SWT.  

Last Shaban and Ramadan had 29 days each. So according to the law of motion of the moon Shawwal must have 30days. Let us observe the moon carefully. Otherwise we may make another careless mistake in Shawwal and the beginning of Zul Quiada may go wrong, which will make us commit a grave sin in observing Arafa and Eidul Adha. Please beware of the false calendars circulated among us. All calendars give wrong lunar dates for Arafa and Eidul Adha also.

Alimanikfan

Letter to His Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdul Azeez

In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful.

From
M. Ali manikfan,
Chief Advisor, Hijra Committee of India,
Calicut,Kerala, India.


To
His Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdul Azeez,
Khadimul Haramain, Makkah Al Mukarramah,
Assalamu alaikum Warahmathullahi Wabarakathuhu


Subject: Wrong dates of the Ummul Qura Calendar


The present Ummul Qura calendar dates are not according to the phases and stages of the moon as ordered in Quran 2:189, 10:5, 36:39 etc. and the dates are subjected to change often because they do not tally with the observed dates. Ummul Qura calendar is only a synonym of Hijra calendar, which was instituted in Hijra 17 during khilafah of Umar RA. This calendar must be used by the Muslim Ummah wherever they live in the world.


7 days of the week are common for all people in the world. The figure which is used to denote a week day must be same for all. But now dates of the Islamic calendar are different at different places and even in Saudi Arabia the lunar dates are treated carelessly as if they have no sanctity. I have seen Arab news and other News Papers using same date for two days. This happens because we give prominence to Gregorian dates and we believe that lunar dates prescribed by Allah SWT cannot be used in the present world. We have begun to feel that Hija calendar is out of date. May I invite your Majesty’s attention to the verse of Quran: 25:30.


So, today the Muslims are in a very bad predicament. I beseech your Majesty to put an end to this state of affairs which defame Islam, the religion of Allah!
The rules of the perfect Ummul Qura calendar were changed in 1420H due to a misunderstanding of Hadees  “Soomoo li ru’uyathihi” by giving it a literal meaning contradicting Quran. The Ummul Qura calendar Volume containing calendars for 130 years from 1300H to 1429H must have been compiled after a thorough study by Ulema and astronomers. Then how could the rules be changed in 1420?


All artificial calendars need periodical changes when the dates go out of phase with number of days because of the defects in them. Is the calendar given to humanity by Allah, the Almighty also like that, requiring periodical changes? The Quran 9:37 forbids such meddling with the dates already fixed by Allah SW on the very day of creation.
The Govt of Saudi Arabia has published calendars for 30 years from 1420H to 1450H on wrong principles which, contradict Quran and Sunnah. This calendar has created misunderstanding in the Muslim Ummah in the world. How can people rely on the calendar when the date is changed all of a sudden without any notice? How can programs run smoothly if one depended on such unreliable dates? How can the dates of Allah SWT change when the human made dates cannot be changed? Will any one agree if we say that September 1rst of 2009 is shifted to Wednesday?


How does the present Ummul Qura calendar begin Ramadan on Saturday? According to Allah’s Nizam Ramadan 1430H must begin on Friday! Eidul Fitre which must fall on Saturday is given on Sunday? Who is responsible for this false Ummul Qura calendar which misleads the Muslim Ummah?


May I have the privilege to bring to the kind notice of Your Majesty that I have complained regarding this last year. I have posted this in the website www.hijacalendar.com. But no action has been taken in this serious matter. We should not forget that Allah is watching over all things and He is mindful of our doings.


Last year and previous year Ramadan began on the wrong day in Haramain. Most of the people believe the dates will change according to whims of the people. The Hajj of last year was held on the wrong day. Shirk is the sin which Allah will not forgive. Interfering in the Nizam of Allah and ordering people to fast on the wrong day also will be among shirk.
I have observed all phases of the moon in Sha’ban obeying the order of our beloved Prophet SAW to count hilaals of Shaban in order to begin Ramadan on the right day. All know that Sha’ban 1430H began rightly on Thursday after completing 30 days of Rajab, as hilaal had not appeared on the 29th Tuesday. But some countries have begun Sha’ban wrongly on Thursday and Friday. Why do we not advise each other? Is Knowledge has taken away from Muslim Ummah?


The hilaal of Sha’ban 1430 was seen on Thursday (23-07-2009) evening the first of Sha’ban.
The last waning crescent, like an old urjoon mentioned in the Book of Allah also seen on Wednesday (19-08-2009)
The crescent is not seen on Thursday (today) morning. This indicates that Thursday (20-08-2009)  is the last day of Sha’ban.
So Ramadan will rightly fall on Friday 21-08-2009, The entire Muslim Ummah should begin fasting on Friday.


We have counted only 28 phases. So Sha’ban has only 29 days. If Sha’ban has 30 days as given in the Ummul Qura calendar one more phase has to be created. Who can do this except Allah? But Allah will not change His plan. He has already assigned 28 phases from Thursday to Wednesday for Sha’ban 1430H. How did others get the courage to interfere in the Nizam of Allah? Eidul Fitre 1430 H falls on Saturday 19-09-2009. But the Ummul Qura calendar gives it as on Sunday.
Arafa falls on Wednesday 25-11-2009 and Eidul Adha Falls o Thursday 26-11-2009.But Ummul Qura puts Eidul Adha will be on Friday.
Therefore I request your Majesty to intervene and issue urgent orders to see that original Ummul Qura calendar is established. I also beseech your majesty to publish the original Ummul Qura calendar for a century from 1430 to 1530H and send to all Islamic Nations so that correct Nizam of Allah will be established in the world.

May peace and blessing be upon your Majesty and all of us!
Wassalamu alaikum warahmathullah

 

Your Brother In Islam,

Ali manikfan, Chief advisor,

Hijra Committee of India, Calicut, Kerala, India

29-8-1430/20-8-2009, Riyadh

RAMADAN BEGINS ON FRIDAY

I have observed the moon from Saudi in the morning of Thursday.It was a little more than half. Tomorrow morning Friday it will look like a big crescent. This is the first crescent of the waning phase. If we see this on Friday morning next Friday will be the First of next  month. That is Ramadan will begin on Friday. If you observe on Saturday morning you will surely know that it is the second day after the crescent stage. That would indicate that Saturday will be the second of Ramadan.

You can again confirm by watching in the last days of the month. You will see the shape like urjoonul qadeem on the morning of Wednesday the 28th of Shaban. The moon phase will not be seen on the morning of 29th Thursday. This is the last day of Shaban. The moon and sun will be in the same manaazil.

The hilaal will be seen on the first day of Ramadan after sun set.

We request all not to miss the fast of the first day of Ramadan.

Wassalam,

Ali manikfan

Thu, Aug 13, 2009

 

Moon observation report

Assalamu alaikum WR WB,

This morning at 5AM (Thursday 16-7-2009) the moon was seen clearly between two clouds even though it was cloudy and drizzling here at Vallioor. The phase is less than half and the crescent has formed.

This is the first crescent on the waning phase of Rajab, indicating that next Thursday will be the first of Sha'aban.

The moon and sun were not seen simultaneously for the past two days Tuesday and Wednesday and readings could not be taken. Monday 13-7-2009 the angular distance was 118 degrees. So, this morning the estimated reading should be about 82 degrees. It is reducing at the rate of about 12 degrees per day. The estimated readings will be Friday 70, Saturday 58, Sunday 46, Monday 34, Tuesday 22, Wednesday10 degrees. The moon and sun will be in the same Manaazil on Wednesday. Thursday will be the first day of Sha'aban. The Hilaal the first waxing crescent of Sha'aban will be seen on Thursday 23-7-2009 after sun set.Observers may please check.

Rajab began on Tuesday. The claim that the first day of Rajab is Wednesday or Thursday is certainly wrong. The 29th of the month is the day on which the month begins. So, if a month has 3 days for its beginning then there will be 3 days for 29th also. This proves beyond doubt that it is not what the Prophet SAW taught and what is not in the Sunnah must be rejected. Let the astronomers or moon sighting people tell us how many phases they have counted in Jumadil oola and Ukhra. Then we can decide when Rajab began. The solar eclipse on Wednesday 22-7-2009 marks the end of Rajab. The statement of Dr, Qaradawi in his article dated 10-12-2005 informs us that the Ulema know that the solar eclipse marks the end of the lunar month even though the Muslim astronomers are not aware of it.

Furthermore since Rajab completes 30 days on Wednesday Sha'aban must begin on Thursday irrespective of the Hilaal as per the Sunnah of the Prophet SAW. This proves that the method adopted by www.hilaalsighting.com and others are totally wrong, un-Islamic and unscientific. Such methods which come under the category of Bid,ah must be stopped forthwith.

Please note that Sha'aban 1430H has 29 days only according to the manaazil and ahillah fixed for the moon. The Prophet SAW warned many times that month is 29 days and should not begin fasting without verifying it by observation of the phases. No one can count 29 phases for this Sha'aban. It is a period of 29 days from Thursday to Thursday. Friday is the first day of Ramadan. Those who still have doubts may count the number of phases they see in Sha,aban and know that Ramadan begins on Friday 21-8-2009. Another Sign of Allah is the lunar eclipse destined to take place in the middle of Sha'aban. Those who transgress the limits of Allah will not escape. Surely the grip of Allah is very strong.

Wassalam,

Ali manikfan,

             24-7-1430/16-7-2009

 

Dear Brothers,
Assalamu alaikum WR WB,

I have observed the moon on Tuesday (16-6-2009), Wednesday (17-6-2009)
and Thursday (18-6-2009). The angular distance around 7AM was 88, 76
and 64 degrees respectively. The moon is approaching the sun at the
rate of 12 degrees and by Monday moon and sun will be in the same
manaazil. The moon will overtake the sun before the end of Monday and
Hilaal will appear. So, the last visible phase like urjoonul qadeem
will be seen early morning on Sunday (21-6-2009) and phase will not be
seen to earth on Monday (22-6-2009). Tuesday (23-6-2009) will be the
first of Rajab for people living on earth. The Hilaal of Rajab will be
seen on the first of Rajab (23-6-2009) in sha Allah.

Hilaal is seen only on the first of the lunar month. It is not seen on
the last day of the month.

Wassalam,
Ali manikfan
25-6-1430/18-6-2009

 

Dear Brothers,
Assalamu alaikum WR WB,

This morning (Monday) at sun rise the moon was about 81 degrees away
from the sun. The moon appeared like a big crescent. This is the first
crescent in the waning phase and this indicated that next Monday will
be the first of Jumadil Ukhra. The comparatively big crescents
foretell us that Jumadil Ukhra too will end in 29 days. Rajab begins
on Tuesday. Since two months (Jumail oola and Jumadil ukhra) get 29
days consecutively Rajab must have 30 days. Rajab ends on Wednesday
and Shaban begins on Thursday. We can count 28 phases in a month of 29
and 29 phases in a month of 30.
According to astronomical data a solar eclipse occurs on Wednesday the
30th of Rajab. Shaban begins on Thursday and Ramadan on Friday, both
ending in 29 days and Ramadan ends on Friday. Shawwal begins on
Saturday. First of Shawwal is the Day of Eidul Fitre on which fasting
is forbidden. There will not be two days for a date in any month.
Observers can easily get accustomed to the natural dates shown by the
changing phases of the moon. Let us not make a mistake in beginning
Ramadan. May Allah SWT help us to understand His Signs!

Wassalam,
Ali manikfan
23-5-1430/18-5-2009

 

MOON OBSERVATION REPORT IN JUMADIL AWWAL

 

The moon was observed this evening (Saturday, seventh of Jumadil
Awwal) at sunset. The angular distance between sun and the moon was
about 98.5 degrees. Jumadil Awwal began on Sunday after completing 30
days for Rabiul Akhir. The growth of the waxing crescents was
unusually fast the rate about 14 degrees per day. This indicated that
this month will have only 29 days and the next month Jumadil Akhir too
will end in 29 days. This type of observations was possible during the
time of the Sahaba and they knew how to read the dates shown by the
changing phases of the moon. They never got cheated by searching for
the invisible Hilaal at sun set.

Please continue your observation and you will see that the full moon
is earlier than in the months of 30 days. Only a few months remain for
Ramadan. We must learn the method of observation and make sure that we
begin the fasting on the right day. Ramadan 1430 begins on a Friday.

Wassalam,
Ali manikfan
7-5-1430/2-5-2009

 

Dear Brothers,

Assalamu alaikum WR WB,

 

The moon was observed in the last quarter of Rabiul Akhir, 23rd

Saturday, 24th Sunday and 25th Monday. The angular distance measured

85.5, 73.5 and 62 degrees respectively. Now it is reducing at the rate

of about 11 degrees per day. So, Tuesday it will be 51degrees,

Wednesday 40 degrees, Thursday 29 degrees, Friday 18 degrees and

Saturday 7degrees which indicates that the sun and moon will be in the

same manaazil on Saturday. Saturday is the last day of this month and

the moon will not be seen on the morning of Saturday anywhere in the

world. Anyone who sees it may please report it with a photograph of

the waning crescent.

 

The last visble phase like Urjoonul Qadeem will be seen on Friday

morning in many parts of the wolrd. Rabiul Akhir began on Friday and

the first waxing crescent was seen in the evening. The last waning

crescent will be seen on the morning of Friday the 29th of the month.

Hilaal does not appear on the 29th and 30 will be completed as per

Hadees on Saturday and Jumadil Awwal begins on Sunday irrespective of

the Hilaal. The Hilaal the first waxing crescent of Jumadil Awwal will

be seen in the evening of Sunday, the first of Jumadil Awwal.

 

I hope you all agree that we see the same moon all over the world and

the lunar date must be same for all of us living in this world.

 

Wassalam,

Ali manikfan

         25-4-1430/20-4-2009