Ramadan 2009

EVEN four decades after man landed on the moon, this celestial body has not failed to stir controversy in the Muslim world. In Pakistan it acquires an intensity beyond comprehension. With Islamic religious festivals linked to the lunar calendar and no consensus on the criteria to be adopted in determining the start of a new month, confusion reigns supreme on the occasion of Eid and Ramazan.

This year matters have reached new extremes. NWFP’s local and zonal Ruet-i-Hilal committees have decided to strike out on their own to meet on Saturday — a day before the central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee is to convene — to give a ruling on the sighting of the Shawwal moon. A proposal that Pakistan should follow Saudi Arabia so that the entire Muslim world observes Eid on the same day has also received a nod of approval from the provincial government.

Conventionally, the physical visibility of the new moon has been used to chalk out the lunar calendar. But given the growth in technology this is not enough to ensure uniformity of the calendar because many astronomical factors — the age of the moon, its angle and altitude above the horizon as well as weather conditions, the height and location of the place where the ‘moonsighter’ is positioned — determine the crescent’s visibility. Since the idea of different parts of the country observing Eid on different days is not an attractive one, and quite understandably so, it is time we agreed on a single principle to determine the lunar calendar. Some have found a solution by following Saudi Arabia’s lead (as is the case for Haj) to create a sense of unity and brotherhood in the Muslim world. Others have laid down clear guidelines for the sighting of the new moon. Whatever we choose must have the weight of national consensus behind it.

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ملک میں دو عیدیں۔ایک نیا فتنہ، اداریہ نوا ئے وقت

گـزشتہ روز غیرسرکاری رویت ہلاک کمیٹی کے اعلان پر صوبہ سرحد کے پشاور سمیت کئی اضلاع میں عیدالفطر منائی گئی جبکہ سوات،ہزارہ، ڈیرہ اسماعیل خاں اور دیگر کئی مقامات پر غیرسرکاری روایت ہلال کمیٹی کے فیصلے کے برعکس لوگوں نے روزہ رکھا۔ وفاقی وزیر ریلوے غلام احمد بلور اور صوبائی وزیر بشیر بلور نے مرکزی رویت ہلال کمیٹی کے کردار پر تنقید کی ہے اور کہا ہے کہ دنیا کے 70 فیصد ممالک میں عید سعودی عرب کے ساتھ منائی جاتی ہے۔ مرکزی رویت ہلال کمیٹی کے چیئرمین پنجاب کی کمیٹی کے چیئرمین بن کر رہ گئے ہیں۔

پاکستان کے راسخ العقیدہ مسلمانوں کی دیرینہ خواہش رہی ہے کہ عیدین کے اجتماعات قومی وحدت کا مظہر اور مسلمانوں کی عظمت کے آئینہ دار ہوں۔ ماضی میں عید کے موقع پر مختلف علاقوں میں الگ الگ عیدیں منانے کی وجہ سے جو اختلافات سامنے آئے انہیں مدنظر رکھ کر تمام مذہبی مسالک کے علماء کے مشورے اور ارکان پارلیمنٹ کی سوچ بچار کے بعد مرکزی رویت ہلال کمیٹی کا قیام عمل میں آیا جس میں نہ صرف تمام مکاتب فکر کی نمائندگی ہے بلکہ جدید تعلیم یافتہ افراداور ماہرین فلکیات کوبھی کمیٹی کا حصہ بنایاگیا ہے اور رویت ہلال کمیٹی کی تشکیل کے بعد بہت کم مواقع پر اختلاف سامنے آیا ہے لیکن گزشتہ کچھ عرصہ سے صوبہ سرحد کی حکومت سیاسی وجوہات اور بعض علماء کرام مسلکی اختلافات کی بناء پر مرکزی رویت ہلال کمیٹی کے وجود کو تسلیم کرنے اور اس کی طرف سے چاند نظر آنے کے اعلان کو پورے ملک کیلئے واجب الاتباع قرار دینے پر تیار نہیں اور اس سال تو حکومت سرحد نے غیر سرکاری رویت ہلال کمیٹی کے فیصلے کے مطابق پورے صوبے میں اتوارکے روز عیدالفطرمنانے کا فیصلہ کرکے عملاً باقی تین صوبوں اور صوبہ سرحد کے بعض اضلاع سے الگ عید منانے کی روایت کا آغاز کردیا ہے اور رویت ہلال کی شہادتوں کے بجائے سعودی عرب کی طرف سے اعلان عید کو پورے پاکستان بلکہ پوری دنیا کیلئے قابل تقلید قرار دے کر ملک میں نیا تفرقہ پیدا کردیا ہے۔

پوری قوم کی یہ خواہش ہے کہ عیدین ایک ہی روز منائی جائیں لیکن اس مقصد کیلئے شرعی تقاضوں کو ملحوظ رکھنا بہرحال ضروری ہے محض کسی مخصوص علاقے یا گروپ کی خوشنودی کیلئے مسلمانوں کو روزے جیسی عظیم نعمت سے محروم کرنا زیادتی ہے جبکہ روایت ہلال کے ضمن میں سعودی عرب کی پیروی کرنااس لئے مشکل ہے کہ ایک تو پاکستان اور سعودی عرب کا مطلع مختلف ہے دونوں میں تین گھنٹے کا فرق ہے سعودی عرب میں افطار اور نماز مغرب کے وقت پاکستان میں نماز تراویح بھی پڑھی جا چکی ہوتی ہے جبکہ بلور برادران کی منطق کے مطابق اگر پوری دنیا میں سعودی عرب کے ساتھ عید منانے کی رسم ڈالی جائے تو امریکہ اور یورپ کے کئی ممالک میں نماز عید نماز عشاء کے ساتھ ادا کرنی پڑے گی۔ ملک میں پہلی بار نماز عید اور رویت ہلال کے خالص شرعی معاملے میں صوبائی تعصب کو بھی ہوا دی گئی ہے اور ہزارہ سے تعلق رکھنے والے مولانا مفتی منیب الرحمن کو پنجاب کی کمیٹی کا چیئرمین قرار دیکر اسے کالا باغ ڈیم کی طرح ایک علاقائی، صوبائی اور نسلی مسئلہ بنانے کی کوشش کی گئی ہے جسے نرم سے نرم الفاظ میںانتہائی افسوس ناک قرار دیا جائیگا۔

بلور برادران معلوم نہیں پنجاب سے اتنے الرجک کیوں ہیں کہ ایک خالص شرعی معاملے کو بھی جو بنیادی طور پر علماء کرام اور ماہرین فلکیات کو طے کرنا چاہئے صوبائیت کی عینک سے دیکھنے لگے ہیں حالانکہ نوّے کے عشرے میں وہ میاں نوازشریف کے شردھالو اور ان کی حکومت میں شریک رہے ہیں اب بھی بلور صاحبان کا دور ہ لاہور رائیونڈ حاضری کے بغیر مکمل نہیں ہوتا، پیپلز پارٹی کی سیکرٹری اطلاعات فوزیہ وہاب نے درست کہا ہے کہ رویت ہلال کے مسئلہ پر سیاسی خلفشار پھیلایا جا رہا ہے اور قومی وحدت کو پارہ پارہ کرنے کیلئے عیدالفطر کے مقدس تہوار کو استعمال کیا گیا ہے حیرت انگیز بات یہ ہے کہ پشاور کی غیر سرکاری رویت ہلال کمیٹی کے اعلان کو صوبہ سرحد کے بیشتر اضلاع میں تسلیم نہیں کیا گیا جس کا مطلب ہے کہ وہاں کے عوام اور علماء کرام غیر سرکاری رویت ہلال کمیٹی کے فیصلے اور کردار سے متفق نہیں البتہ گورنر، وزیراعلیٰ، دیگر عمائدین اور سرکاری عہدیداروں نے غیر سرکاری رویت ہلال کمیٹی کے فیصلے کے مطابق نماز عید ادا کرکے اس کمیٹی کو سرکاری درجہ دیدیا۔

یہ صورتحال مرکزی رویت ہلال کمیٹی کے علاوہ وفاقی حکومت اور پارلیمنٹ کیلئے لمحہ فکریہ ہے یہ ماضی میں رویت ہلال کمیٹی کے بعض فیصلوں کا ردعمل بھی ہے اور اس کے کردار کو سائنسی انداز میں ازسرنو متعین کرنے کی ضرورت کا متقاضی بھی۔ سائنس و ٹیکنالوجی کے موجودہ دور میں جب عشروں بعد سو رج گرہن اور چاند گرہن کی پیش گوئی ممکن ہے اور سعودی عرب کے علاوہ ایران اور کئی دیگر مسلم ممالک میں رویت ہلال پر کبھی تنازعہ کھڑا نہیں ہوا پاکستان میں ہر سال ملک میں دو دو اور بسا اوقات تین روز عید منانے کے واقعات افسوس ناک ہیں اس سے پاکستان دنیا میں مذاق بنتا ہے اور عیدین کے تہوار وحدت ملی کے بجائے انتشار اور افتراق کا سبب بن جاتے ہیں اسی انتشار کی وجہ سے مسلکی اور علاقائی تعصبات کو ہوا ملتی ہے اور دین بیزار عناصر کو اہل مذہب بالخصوص علماء کرام پر طعنہ زنی کا موقع ملتا ہے اس لئے رویت ہلال کمیٹی کی تشکیل نو کرکے اس میں ہر مسلک کے معتبر اور جید علماء کرام کے علاوہ سائنس و تکنیکی علوم بالخصوص فلکیات کے ماہرین کو شامل کیا جائے۔ رویت ہلال کیلئے جدید سائنسی و تکنیکی آلات اور تحقیقات سے استفادہ کیا جائے اور شہادتوں کے حصول کیلئے بھی زیادہ سے زیادہ سہولتیں فراہم کی جائیں تاکہ پاکستانی قوم ایک ہی دن روزہ رکھنے اور عید منانے کے ساتھ ملی وحدت اور قومی شان و شوکت کا اظہار کرسکے۔ یہ عوام کا حق ہے کہ وہ ایک ساتھ روزے رکھیں، عید منائیں اور خوشی کے موقع پر کسی کو بدمزگی پیدا کرنے کا موقع نہ ملے

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پاکستان میں ایک بار پھر دو عیدیں

ہارون رشید

بی بی سی اردو ڈاٹ کام، پشاور

مسجد قاسم علی خان میں صوبائی سینئر وزیر بشیر بلور نے بھی شرکت کی

صوبہ سرحد کی حکومت نے ایک مرتبہ پھر بعض علماء کو مرکز کے ساتھ عید منانے پر مجبور کرنے کی بجائے آسان راستہ اپناتے ہوئے ان ’گنے چنے علما کے سامنے ہتھیار ڈالتے‘ ہوئے ان کے اعلان پر آج اتوار کو عید منا لی ہے۔

’اتحاد بین المسلمین‘ کا نعرہ اس مرتبہ پھر مسجد قاسم علی خان کے کل سنیچر کی رات کے اعلان سے پارہ پارہ ہوگیا۔ مسجد کے مہتمم مفتی شہاب الدین کے اعلان سے واضح ہوگیا کہ وہ اپنی سال ہا سال سے جاری روش تو ترک کرنے پر ہرگز آمادہ نہیں تاہم اس مرتبہ صوبائی حکومت کو بھی ساتھ ملانے میں کامیاب ثابت ہوئے ہیں۔ ان کا پیغام آسان اور صاف تھا: ’کوئی مانے یا نہ مانے ہم تو عید اپنی مرضی سے منائیں گے۔‘

لیکن سنیچر کی رات مسجد قاسم علی خان میں مختلف مکاتب فکر کے علماء کے اجلاس کی سب سے حیران کن بات اس میں صوبائی سینئر وزیر بشیر بلور، وزیر اطلاعات میاں افتخار حسین اور وزیر مذہبی امور نمروز خان کی شرکت تھی۔

خیال تھا کہ صوبائی حکومت کے یہ تین نمائندے مسجد قاسم علی خان کے علماء کو اس بات پر مجبور کرنے کی کوشش کریں گے کہ وہ عید مرکز کے ساتھ ایک دن منائیں لیکن وہ منوانے کی بجائے ان کی مان کر نکل آئے۔ ایک غلطی کو درست کرنے کی بجائے انہوں نے بہتری اسی میں جانی کہ اس غلطی کو ہی گلے لگا لیں۔

صوبائی حکومت کے گھٹنے ٹیکنے کی بڑی وجہ اس کی عوامی حمایت کا ایسے علاقوں میں ہونا ہے جہاں عید حکومتوں کے کہنے پر نہیں بلکہ اپنے علماء کے حکم پر منائی جاتی ہے۔ یہی وجہ ہے کہ وزیر اعلٰی امید حیدر خان ہوتی نے عید مرکزی حکومت کے ساتھ منانے کی بجائے اپنے انتخابی اور آبائی علاقے کے ساتھ منانے میں غنیمت جانی۔

سرحد حکومت کی عید سعودی عرب کے ساتھ منانے کی چند روز قبل سامنے آنے والی تجویز کو مرکز کے علماء نے بھی آڑے ہاتھوں لیتے ہوئے مسترد کر دیا تھا۔ یہ بھی شاید کوئی اعلٰی اور بہتری تجویز نہ ہو لیکن کم از کم دیگر کئی ممالک کی طرح اس کے ذریعے مسلمان ایک سالانہ تنازعے سے چھٹکارا پاسکتے ہیں۔

رمضان اور عید الفطر کے موقع پر ملک میں علماء کے دو واضح گروپس سامنے آچکے ہیں۔ ایک مسجد قاسم علی خان ’فینامینہ‘ اور دوسرا مرکز کے وہ علماء جو سرحد کی رویت کے معاملے پر کسی بھی تجویز کو قبول کرنے کو اپنی شاید ’بےعزتی‘ تصور کرتے ہیں۔ ایسے موقف کے درمیان اس سال بھی عید کا ان جید علماء کے ہاتھوں وہی حشر ہوا جو کئی دہائیوں سے ہوتا آ رہا ہے۔

تاہم مرکزی حکومت کی رٹ کی کمزوری کا یہ عالم کہ وہ ایک صوبے کو اور سرحد حکومت کی رٹ کا یہ عالم کہ سوات اور لوئر دیر کی ضلعی رویت ہلال کمیٹیوں نے ان کا اعلان ماننے سے انکار کر دیا ہے۔ انہوں نے اعلان کیا ہے کہ یہ دو اضلاع مرکزی رویت ہلال کمیٹی کے اعلان پر ہی عید منائیں گے۔ اس کے علاوہ صوبہ سرحد کے وفاقی حکومت کے ملازمین کے علاوہ ایک اقلیت ایسی بھی ہے جو عید مرکز کے ساتھ ہی مناتی ہے۔

مرکزی رویت ہلال کمیٹی کے سربراہ مفتی منیب الرحمان نے سرحد حکومت کے اتوار کو عید منانے کے فیصلے کو مسترد کرتے ہوئے کہا ہے کہ اسے دینی معاملات میں مداخلت کے نتائج بھگتنا پڑیں گے۔

مفتی منیب الرحمان نے جو آج مرکزی رویت ہلال کمیٹی کے اجلاس کی صدارت کریں گے کہا کہ وہ اور صوبہ سرحد کے اسی فیصد عوام سرحد حکومت کے غیر شرعی فیصلے کو تسلیم نہیں کرتے۔ ان کا کہنا تھا کہ یہ پہلی صوبائی حکومت ہے جس نے دینی معاملے میں مداخلت کی ہے۔

رویت کے قضیے پر ایک بات پھر واضح طور پر ثابت ہو کر سامنے آئی ہے۔ رمضان کی عبادات کا شکر مل کر اتفاق و اتحاد کا نمونہ بن کر ادا کرنے کی بجائے ’نا کسی کی مانیں گے یا منوائیں گے‘ کے اصول کے تحت منائی جا رہی ہے۔

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The reality of moon-sighting in Makkah (By Sardar Ahmed Qadri)

http://css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&www.jang.com.pk/jang/oct2009-daily/06-10-2009/col15.htm

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‘Fasting begins only after moon sighted’ Arab News

MAKKAH: The Saudi Council of Senior Scholars has rejected the demand that the beginning and end of lunar months should be determined on the basis of astronomical calculations. “Shariah does not accept astronomical calculations based on mathematical computing as the basis for the beginning and ending of Ramadan,” said Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, grand mufti of Saudi Arabia and chairman of the council. “If anyone doubts our moon-sighting, fasting and feasting, it betrays his weak faith and defective perception,” the grand mufti, who is head of the Administration of Research in Religious Sciences and Fatwa said. He cited a Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) which says, “You start fasting when you see (the moon) and stop it when you sight (the next moon) and when it is hidden by clouds, complete (30 days of) fasting.” The grand mufti added that it is obligatory on the Muslims to start fasting when any Muslim known for his honesty and healthy eyesight claims to have sighted the new moon. This is the practice in the Kingdom, he said, dismissing suggestion that Muslims may depend on astronomical calculations to begin fasting in Ramadan and celebrate Eid. It is the Supreme Judicial Council that announces the sighting of the new moon to mark the beginning of Rajab (seventh month of the Islamic calendar), Shaaban (the month preceding Ramadan), Ramadan, and the three months following it, Al-Madinah newspaper reported. The senior scholars’ council concluded a series of discussions on the issue and came to the conclusion on Tuesday that sighting of the moon should be the basis of a month’s beginning though three of its members supported the idea of depending on astronomical calculations. Meanwhile, Saudi astronomer Jabar Al-Doussary said religious scholars and astronomers should settle their dispute on the moon-sighting issue. “Nothing but the astronomical calculations confirm the sighting of the moon in a convincing manner. The calculations are made not for a day or a month but for thousands of years. Even the viewing through observatories is based on such calculations,” the astronomer said. Khaled Al-Zuaq, member of the Arab Federation of Space Sciences and Astronomy stressed the need for a meeting of astronomers and religious scholars to bring an end to the row over moon-sighting and avoid errors. “The present method of confirming moon-sighting has created confusion that can be removed easily by adopting scientific methods,” he said. A 15-member panel from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain had decided two years ago to launch an Islamic satellite, which would be used for sighting moon. (Arab News) ….     To Eid or not Eid, that is the question! Moon visibility curves for Friday, November 12, 2004. Definitely no moon in Saudi Arabia.. The moon would have been visibile Saturday, 13 November.. As I child, I used to listen to the grown ups in our family argue endlessly about when the Eid Al Fitr (marking the end of Ramadan fasting) is supposed to start. Being based on a lunar calendar, Islamic months are more difficult to determine than the Gregorian months. These arguments are repeated in EXACTLY the same manner every year. The same clichés, the same points and counterpoints. It’s almost like the Groundhog Day movie (where the guy always wakes up on the same day). Yesterday night the fiasco repeated itself again. Saudi Arabia declared that Eid was Saturday. My wife an I were walking downtown and went into a shop to buy a soft drink when we heard the Jordanian Mufti on a small black and white TV announcing that Eid in Jordan was Sunday. At home later in the evening, my father in-law called from Germany perplexed. Half of Germany ended up celebrating Eid Saturday and the half will celebrate tomorrow. Just across the River Jordan, in Palestine Eid was celebrated Saturday. What a mess! I have always been convinced that this is a matter where science can help. Of course, the religious authorities have a million opinions on utilizing science to determine the appearance of the moon. Waiting until they agree can take another century or so. So to cut a long story short, I did my own Internet research on the matter. Here are the results (I wont go into the details of all the arguments, because, honestly, the whole thing just gets on my nerves): 1. Jordan’s announcement that Eid is on Sunday was correct. TheJordanian mufti said that the moon did not show up, which is in line withthe calculations. At the very least one can be confident that,scientifically, there is NO WAY someone saw the crescent in Saudi ArabiaFriday night. Go to Moonsighting.com and see for yourself. The site’s publishers use a software package called MoonCalc (programmed byUK-based Dr Monzur Ahmed) The new moon, although “born” Friday night, could not have been seen anywhere on earth (with the exception of a possibility of sighting in some Polynesian Islands!!). 2. Just for your general knowledge, a new moon can indeed be seen in one zone of the earth but not another. Remember we live on a rotating sphere. See the screenshots of MoonCalc and you’ll get a better idea aboutthe science of moonsighting. OK. Now the interesting dilemma for observing Muslims is the following: Who’s announcement to follow. One side of the argument assumes that the “Muslim Nation” is one nation. And when the moon is sighted anywhere in the world by any Muslim, the whole Muslim nation should break the Ramadan fast. Well, that would be great. That would be the end of the endless arguments every year! Just one note: no claim of a moonsighting should be accepted if itSCIENTIFACALLY IMPOSSIBLE. OK? That would be the “ideal situation”. But the reality is that the “Muslim Nation” is, in fact, NOT one nation. On the contrary consists of many, many countries and Muslim communities in non-Islamic countries. If a Muslim in Jordan was to follow the announcement of Saudi Arabia that Eid was today, Saturday 13 November 2004, what was she or he to do? Go to Eid prayers alone? Or perhaps visit relatives expecting to be served Ma’mul? Or maybe go and have Eid lunch? HELLO? I am sure the religious arguments about this issue can go on forever. The two solutions are clear: Either each country (and Muslim community) announces Eid on its own, or, by some miracle, All Islamic authorities agree on a common date (that at least does not contradict science). Happy Eid everyone! (Source) ….   Fatawa on errors in following Saudi moon sighting lørdag 27. juni 2009 13:53 | Hazrat Maulana Mufti Rasheed Ahmed Ludhyanwi (RA) …It is not known that the number of people sighting the moon in Saudia is of satisfactory quantity. The decision of the Saudi government is not only against the established principles of the Hanafi Fiqh, it is also against common sense therefore it is not applicable to Pakistan. The sighing of a large body is a condition within the Hanafi Fiqh when the horizon is clear however the Saudi government often decides Ramadhan on a single witness and Eid and Dhul-Hijjah on a minimum of two witnesses…(Ahsanul-Fatawa, Volume4/Page 417) Hazrat Maulana Mufti Rasheed Ahmed Ludhyanwi (RA) subsequently wrote a letter to the responsible officials in the Saudi government regarding this matter and was not satisfied with the reply. He (RA) wrote, “I had clearly stated my reasons for claiming that your criteria for moon sighting are against the obvious; however I have not received a reply. The reasons quoted previously are as follows: 1. It is unusual in case of clear horizons for just a few people in the entire country to sight the crescent 2. General sighting is not even observed on the 2nd day of sighting i.e. masses are unable to see the moon even on the 2nd day) 3. Full moon should be observed on the 14th or the 15th, however according to your sighting it is usually viewed on the 16th or the 17th 4. It is impossible to sight the crescent on the day (or even a day after) when the moon is sighted in the east at dawn since the moon sets before the sunset in those days. However the Saudi government announces moon sighting sometimes on the very same day when the moon is sighted in the east at dawn 5. Moon is not sighted elsewhere after the sighing in Saudia even in the west of Saudi Arabia 6. The first day of the moon (birth) is been often declared the first of the Islamic month, which is illogical because it would mean that the moon can be sighted before its birth (Ahsanul-Fatawa, Volume4/Page 418)

Darul-uloom Deoband:

Question: You will be well aware of the controversies regarding the sighting of the moon here in the UK. For a period of time our respected scholars and the representatives of the esteemed institute of Deoband followed the authentic sightings of Morrocco considering it as a nearby country, which is in accordance with the Shariah and the Hanafi school of thought.The only setback was that occasionally the news of sighting the moon was delayed to an extent that on one occasion we fasted on not hearing any news about the moon being sighted, only to find out later on that day that it was sighted, therefore the fast was broken and Eid celebrated.

The individuals who were responsible for the research of the moon sighting should have calmed down the situation and rebuilt confidence in the general community, but instead, they went running around to and fro, to Darul Iftaa’s around the globe to get a fatwa issued so that following Saudi’s sightings would be made permissible. They published such fatwa extensively creating an atmosphere that following Saudi’s sighting was the only permissible way and that it was wrong to follow Morocco. When in reality the outcome of these fatwas was to grant some flexibility in times of difficulty. Granting flexibility under temporary circumstances and issuing verdicts for permanent situations are separate matters altogether.

This all lead to a confusion resulting with a group of people trying to instigates Saudi’s observations and contrary to this, some scholars eager to follow the righteous path, who were never satisfied with the Saudi observations. As time passed Saudi sightings were proved wrong on many occasions.

If the Saudi observations had been correct, there would not have been any controversy at all. But time and time again Saudi has proved itself incorrect. The evidence is that on many occasions Saudi announces the sighing of moon, when not a single person sights the moon in any part of Asia or Africa where the horizon is mostly clear as well. What’s more is that there is no sighting of the moon in any part of America, Canada or West Indies where the sun sets eight hours after Saudi; and the crescent has grown much bigger.

For instance, this Shawwal 1423H on Wednesday evening Saudi made an announcement for Eid and a large number of Muslims here in the U.K. celebrated Eid on the following day whereas Muslims were fasting America, Canada, Panama, and Barbados and they celebrated Eid on Friday. This episode repeats itself nearly every year.

The purpose of putting this in writing is so that we ponder over the problems and dilemmas that are arising as a result of these premature Saudi announcements and to rectify the situation (if possible).

The following problems will arise whenever Saudi will make a premature announcement:

1. Keeping a fast of Ramadhan in Sha’ban, which contradicts the Hadeeth as well as misleads people into thinking that it is a fast of Ramadhan when in reality it is not

2. Changing a day or two of Sha’ban into Ramadhan, which contradicts the verse of Qur’an in which the people of the days of ignorance were prohibited from changing the names of the months. They used to change the name of the month according to their likings.

3. Celebrating Eid in Ramadhan

4. Omitting a fast of Ramadhan, when all are equally compulsory

5. Changing Ramdhan into Shawwal, which is forbidden as above

6. Many pious people start the six fasts of Shawwal straight after Eid and under such circumstances they would be fasting on the day of Eid which is in complete contradiction with the Hadeeth

7. It is understood from many books of Fiqh that any form of Ibaadah is not acceptable before the due time, but is accepted if it is performed later than schedule time due to any valid excuse and the responsibility of fulfilling that ibaadah is discharged. For example praying Zuhr Salaah 2 minutes before Zawal will not be accepted under any circumstances at all. But if it was prayed late close to Asar time, it would be accepted and no sin committed if there was a valid excuse. Similarly, Qurbani can be made on the eleventh or twelfth if it is not made on the tenth but under no circumstances can it be made on the ninth of Zil-Hijjah. It is the same command for fasting and Eid. If fast or Eid is celebrated before time it will not be accepted, but if for any reason there is a delay because the sighting of the moon cannot be clarified then this Ibaadah will be accepted and the responsibility discharged

8. How is it possible that when-ever Saudi makes a hasty announcement of the moon sighting, it is not visible in Asia, Africa, or any other western countries even though they have a clear horizon. How can it be possible that the moon is sighted at sunset time in Saudia and 8 hours later it cannot be seen in America, Canada or the West Indies? The problem has occurred many times as well as this year. Therefore, this itself weakens the claims of the Saudi observations

9. It is stated in a Hadeeth from which we can understand that we should stop and start fasting in accordance with the moon sighting complete 30 days of Sha’ban if moon sighting is not possible due to distorted visibility If we look at reality, we have left the practice upon this Hadeeth. What, don’t we have permission to keep complete 30 days of Sha’ban or Ramadhan? Don’t we have the flexibility to wait instead of jumping to conclusions and acting upon Saudi’s hasty sighting where there is a great possibility of our Ibaadah not being accepted because it is done before due time? We should therefore act only upon such verdicts that save us from ruining our Ibaadah.

10. From a Hanafi point of view, a single trustworthy person’s sighting is accepted for fasting, but for the sighting of Eid, it is important for a large group of people to give evidence of the moon being sighted. A number of people upon whom others have confidence and satisfaction. Whereas according to them (the Saudi) one or two persons sighting is accepted for Eid.

11. There has always been an atmosphere of controversy, confusion and argument amongst the Scholars and the general community whenever Saudi has made hasty announcements about the sighting and whenever they complete 30 days there is peace and satisfaction amongst the Muslim community. Our elders have always had doubts and suspicions regarding the Saudi announcements. If their dates were accepted to be accurate then Pakistan, India etc. would be under more obligation to follow them because they are more closer to Saudi than U.K. Hakeemul Ummah Sheikh Thanwi (RA) has stated and which is mentioned in Fatawa Raheemiyah at the end of volume seven, that if the observation of Saudi is proved to be accurate then the Muslims of India should follow Saudi. This was said approximately 60-70 years ago when in reality this has not been acted upon since, when there is only the Arabian Gulf separating the Indian sub-continent from Saudi and there is not much time difference between them as well.

12. If Saudi observation is followed blindly, people will avoid consulting the learned scholars and the responsible authorities. The sources of media are so advanced that people can learn the news of the moon sighting through telephone, T.V. and satellite and many a time they start to spread the news by making their announcements before sunset. In future if this continues, then people will not wait for the announcement to be made from their local Mosques and it will be impossible to act contrary to these hasty announcements.

These are some major problems that have been created by acting upon premature announcements of the moon sighting. What is happening in this country is that scholars of all different schools of thought are constantly trying to figure out a solution for this great crisis, but unfortunately a great majority of our scholars following the Deobandi school of thought are sleeping with a content mind deceptively assured that what was made permissible for certain circumstances under temporary conditions can be made practical in all situations, even though we have understood hasty actions can ruin our Ibaadah whereas delaying does not.

Alhumdolillah, a number of people who take interest in knowledge and research including our up and coming generations of Muslims here in the U.K. who hold great knowledge and are fluent in English, understand the weaknesses of Saudi observations.

At the moment in time, what we need is for the local scholars to sit down and acknowledge the weakness of these premature announcements and the problems that are arising from them. The general public still awaits for the correct announcements to be made. It would prove to be a great step in the right direction even if there is a single scholar in each locality who takes up the responsibility of explaining to the community the reality of these hasty announcements.

The scholars of truth have always had a habit of not being afraid of speaking the truth regardless of any opposition. I have firm and full belief through my knowledge and experience that the general community possesses the capability to accept these changes because they are in view of the problems and weaknesses created by the Saudi premature announcements. If it is done with great wisdom, by pointing out the errors and respective corrections, through lectures or private gatherings, there will be no sign of any uproar or aggression. May Allah grant us all the ability to rectify and correct (Ameen).

Answer: “I have studied your queries very attentively. It has been written from here in the past that announcements should be made for the sighting of the moon, based on information of sightings from your close country. It is incorrect to make announcements of Eid and Ramadhan by following Saudi for the sake of ease. Even if a fatwa has been obtained for this purpose, it is against the principles of Shariah. There is a far greater distance between Britain and Saudi whereas Morocco is a lot closer to Britain. To abandon a close country’s sightings and to accept Saudis sighting, is in contradiction with the principles of Fiqh. Thereafter considering the state of Saudi observations and the difficulties that are arising from them, which you have written and attention towards; no decision should be ever made blindly in accordance with the Saudi observations. You should enforce with full strength the practice of following Morocco sightings. This is the closest to the truth.”

Allah Knows Best.
Mufti Habibur Rahman
Mufti Darul-uloom Deoband
18th of Safar 1424 AH”

The Answer is correct!
Hazrat Maulana Kafeelur-Rahman Nishat
Hazrat Maulana Mufti Zafeeruddin
Hazrat Mufti Muhammed Abdullah

Mazahirul-uloom (Saharanpur):

The answer is correct and in accordance with the principles of Shariah. The countries closer in distance should be considered where there isn’t a lot of difference between sunrise and sunset times.”

Mufti Muhammed Tahir Mazahirri
Mufti Mazahirul-uloom Saharunpur
1st of Sha’aban 1424 AH”

Madrasad Islamic Taleemud Deen Dhabail, Gujarat:

“I also fully agree with the answer.”

Mufti Ahmed Khan Puri
Madrasa Islamia Taleemud-Deen Dhabail”

Hazratjee Maulana Inamul Hasan (RA):

Bangla Wali Masjid

15 Shabaan 1407

15 April 1987

Dear Hafiz Patel Sahib and other members of the Shuraa and all the responsible brothers of this work of Dawah.

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

The blessed month is coming close. On this occasion there has been a long controversy in regards with the sighting of the moon. Ramadhan Mubarak and the Eids are the fundamental basis of Islam. We need to be very cautious and fearful in this matter because making right or wrong judgement can lead the whole country in the right or wrong direction.

On these occasions the responsible brothers have a very grave duty upon them, especially when people are relying on them heavily due to the great effort of this work people throughout the country accept their decisions. It is very clear and evident in the Qur’an regarding the cycles of the moon and sun… الشمس والقمر بحسبان الخ It is possible to find errors in the calculations of the humans but there is no flaw in the calculations of the creator.

The English dates that are set by the experts of this field are possible dates of sighting the moon. We do not have to trust them but staying within the bounds of Shariah if there is any sighting of the moon then Ramadhan and Eid will commence or else it will be the following day without doubt. This is no innovated system but this is practiced all over the place and neither does anyone have any objections about it. Wherever the horizon is clear and there is a sighting of the moon on that date it is brought into action and if not then it is without doubt the following day.

Now what is left is that when, claims of moon sighting is made even before there is any slightest possibility of sighing. There is no credit given to this type of claims and it is against the actions of Jamhoor Ulama as well. To be cautious in regards with this matter, we can take calculations from experts in the Astronomical field which will include Muslims and non-Muslims. From our point of view we consider Dr Ilyas of Malaysia as a Muslim expert in this field.

Assistance can be taken from the Nautical Almanac Office of England. If their calculated dates turn out to correct then it will be understood that there was possibility of sighting the moon on that date and if there was no Shar’ee sighting of the moon on that date then the following date will be considered as definite. It is not hidden from you brothers that expert astronomers calculate the dates of solar and lunar eclipses many years beforehand and thousands of people visibly experience these eclipses on these dates where there are clear skies. Similar is the situation of sighting of the moon with more or less a difference of one day.

Therefore on such occasions where their dates are not accepted to be exact, at the same time you cannot completely reject their calculations. Instead, whilst staying within the bounds of Shariah, advantage should be taken of their calculations.

From: Hadharat Jee

Written by: Raheem Dadkhan

Note; Three, four copies of this issue have been sent to different members of the Shuraa. It should be read in front of all members of the Shuraa incase anyone does not get a copy of it

Jamia Islamia Binori Town, Karachi:

Therefore in the following circumstances it is necessary for the Muslims in England to follow Morocco or Algeria whichever is closer to England. It is not permissible to follow Saudia, Pakistan or any other country which is far from England.”

Written by Mufti Abdul-Kareen Deenpuri
21st of Ramadhan 1424”

Jamia Khairul Madaris, Multan

We have learned from very reliable sources that the thirty two years Saudi Calendar has been set according to Greenwich (London) and the announcements for Eid, Ramadhan are made according to it and not according to moon sighting or by following principles laid down in the Islamic Shariah. A basic proof of this fact is the statements made in the forward of Saudi Calendar.

The second proof is that when officials of Waizarat Ad-Difah wal Tairan were asked that on 21st of February 1993 it will be 30th of Sha’ban but is there actually a chance of sighting the moon; both ministries admitted that according to moon sighting calculations there was no chance of sighting yet Ramadhan was announced in Saudia the next day.

The third proof is that in Saudia moon sighting is not common amongst the common population despite clear horizons; no one can be presented in Saudi Arabia who has fasted upon sighting the moon himself even though in case of clear horizon, perpetual sighting is necessary.

The fourth proof is that the moon is generally sighted elsewhere 2-3 days afterwards.

The fifth proof is that the phases of moon are out of synch i.e. full moon is not seen on the fourteenth in Saudi etc and these can be seen by anyone in Saudia.

Based on these evidences it is can be deduced that moon sighing is not practiced in Saudi Arabia. Therefore to make Saudi the basis of these decisions would be wasting your acts o worship and this is also the opinion of Hazrat Mufti Taqi Usmani.

Mufti Abdul-Sattar
Mufti Muhammad Abdullah
24th of Jamidul-Thani 1424”

Mufti Muhammed Ismael Kachalwi, UK:

Under the circumstances that you have written and described we don’t believe it correct for the Muslims of United Kingdom to follow the moon sighting of Saudi Arabia and it was evident from their announcement of 1st of Muharram 1412 and 1st of Rajab 1412 as the earth has only one sun and moon and there was a solar eclipse in Hawaii at the time of their observance of crescent for Muharram and solar eclipse at in America at their time of crescent observance of Rajab and pictures were taken of this event…It is also written in Ahsan-Fatawa that due to the sighting in Saudia being against the principles of the Hanafi Madhab and established science it is unacceptable for Pakistan therefore it cannot be regarded as acceptable for the Muslims in the United Kingdom either

Source: Taken (with Thanks) from Hazrat Maulana Iqbal Rangooni (Manchester, UK)

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1. Addu

   My anti-Saudi influence friend, 3 years back I made a post that why EVEN SCIENCE can't help you either and why even pre planned Saudi calendar failed long time back.

   http://kadnan.com/blog/2006/11/01/moon-sighting-issue-religious-or/

   - September 21, 2009
2. Muslim

   ISLAMIC MONTHS(START) are based on MOONSIGHTING-CRESCENT:

   Quran 2:185 “The month of Ramadân in which was revealed the Qur'ân, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (witness/present on the first night of) the month (of Ramadân i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month…”

   Quran 2:189 “They ask you about the waxing and waning phases of the crescent moons, say they are to mark fixed times for mankind and Hajj.”

   Prophet’s tradition/Sunnah and His hadiths:

   1)Hadith of Muharram Crescent: “When you see the new moon of Muharram then count the (days) and observe fast on the 9th. I said to him: Is it how the Prophet-sas,observed the fast? He said: Yes”. [S. Muslim Bk 006,# 2526 Narrators: Hakam b. al-'Araj Ibn Abbas]

   2)Hadiths of Ramadan Crescent: (i) “Fast (Muslims) when you see the crescent; if it is obscure to you, then complete thirty days in the count of Sha`ban. And break your fast when you see the crescent; if it is obscure to you, then fast thirty days. ” [Recorded by Al-Bukhaaree, Muslim, and others; narrated by Abu Hurayrah, `Aa'ishah, `Adiyy Bin Haatim, Huthayfah, Ibn `Abbaas, Ibn `Umar, Jabir Bin `Abdillah, and other Sahaabah.]

   3)Hadiths of Dhul Hijjah Crescent: (i) “When you see the crescent of Zulhijjahh” {Ibid.}.
   (ii) “When the ten days of Dhul Hijjah starts” {Ibn-Majah# 3140}.

   HISTORY: Prophet made no changes in moon sighting guidelines even after (i) change of Qiblah in 2AH (b) Conquest of Makkah in 7AH (iii) Hajj became obligatory in 9AH. Prophet (sas), His companions, caliphs, Imams and all Muslim Rulers and Scholars observed and continued the Islamic rituals based on Local moon-sighting. The original tradition of Prophet-sas(Sunnah) of Local Moon-sighting and related rituals not changed even by Omar (ra) who introduced Taraweeh prayers in congregation for unity.

   Caliphs and Imams observed the above.

   Clocks/Watches for Prayers and Saum times.

   Quran 4:103 “Verily, As-Salât (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours”.

   The clocks/watches are devices to show the position of the Sun so we can offer salats and fix the hours of fasting (as these are SOLAR based- Position of SUN to Earth). Islamic rituals Salah/Fasting, are based on Sun movements based (i.e., Sun–Earth position) that is predictable and calculated. The times are given based upon the sun’s position in relation to earth, and we are able to determine them by any means possible, Islam has 5 prayers, which must be performed in a day, punctually at the fixed timings.

   - December 20, 2010