Alhamdulillaah.
WaSalaatu WasSalaamu Ala Rasoolillaah. Aooothobillaahi MinasShaytaanirRajeem.
BismillaahIrRahmaanIrRaheem. RabbishRahli Sadri Wa Yassirli Amri WahlulUqdatan
Millisaani Yafqahoo Qauli.
There
has been considerable confusion and bitterness about the dates of our Islamic
festivals, especially for Muslims living in non-Muslim countries, where
different approaches result in Eid etc. in the same town and sometimes in the
same Masjid to be celebrated on two or even three different dates! This paper
investigates the facts including important information from the Ulema and
Astronomers of Saudi Arabia, and presents an approach to reach accurate dates
acceptable to a very broad consensus of Ulema Insha’Allaah. It recommends
procedures for accurate Islamic dates for “religious” purposes as well as
proposals for “Civil” use Hejiri Calendar.
For
a long time, many Muslims in many parts of the world have experienced
considerable confusion and bitterness about the dates of our Islamic festivals,
which should really be occasions for happiness and getting together. The
celebrations of the Eids, and the fasting of Ramadaan have been marked by
emotional and sometimes “un-brotherly” exchanges, devoid of mutual
understanding, contrary to the very spirit of our Deen. This is especially true
for Muslims living in non-Muslim lands like North America, where different
Muslim groups tend to follow different approaches resulting in Eid etc. in the
same town and sometimes in the same Masjid to be celebrated on two or even three
different dates!
First
of all, let me clarify that Insha’Allaah for all of us, the goals are the same:
We would like Muslims to be united, and celebrate the Islamic occasions
including start of Ramadaan, 27th of Ramadaan, EidUlFitr, EidUlAdha
etc. together correctly Insha’Allaah. But often the approach to “Unity” is that
“I am right, I won’t listen to you, and just follow me”. I humbly feel that
honest search, open communication, mutual understanding, and trying to obtain
the facts is an essential pre-requisite. And most importantly, we should
sincerely make du’a that Allaah (SWT) forgive, guide and help us all. Aameen.
All that is required from us is sincere & proper efforts & du’a. The
results are in the hands of Allaah (SWT).
I
recall since the 1400s AH / 1980s G, when I was a student in New York city,
there were two main behaviors in the American Muslim community regarding Hilaal
sighting and Ramadaan & Eid dates:
The
first behavior, which was common among many immigrant Muslims was to follow
their “own” Muslim countries rather than local sighting in North America. Some
suggested that Muslims in North America had not yet matured to organize our own
local sighting. With time there was a realization that Muslims in North America
have made a good effort Alhamdulillaah, to do local sighting, especially with
the coordination of ISNA (Islamic Society of North America), ICNA, American
Muslim Society and al-Ummah Community, which together formed the Islamic Shoora
Council of North America Alhamdulillaah. Most people then gave up on following
their “own” countries. But still some insisted on following the announcement
from Saudi Arabia, which was often ahead of sighting (including my personal
sighting) in America, and also almost always one or often even two days ahead of
sighting reported from countries east of Saudi Arabia e.g. India, Pakistan and
Bangladesh. Others said that it was incorrect to fix any particular place (e.g.
Saudi Arabia) for deciding the date worldwide, as there are only two opinions of
the Ulema – Ikhtilaaf AlMatale (Multiple Horizons / every place do local
sighting) and Wahdat AlMatale (Single Horizon / sighting in one place suffices
for all). This second opinion means that sighting anywhere in the world e.g. USA
/ India / Libya / Nigeria etc. should be as valid in establishing the date
worldwide including Saudi Arabia as the sighting in Saudi Arabia. Thus we can’t
fix Saudi Arabia as the only sighting place for worldwide decision.
The
other behavior was based on the idea that it was sufficient to follow the
calculated dates while others insisted on actual physical Hilaal sighting in
conformance with the Sunnah. Further, there were many “types” of calculations. I
got into contact with good practicing Muslim astronomers like Dr. Mohib Durrani
and Br. Khalid Shaukat, and learnt that first of all one has to do the
calculations for the Visible Crescent, and not the calculations for the dark
invisible astronomical new moon, which is typically one day before the Hilaal.
Similarly Moonset after Sunset does NOT mean that the Hilaal will be visible.
The main criterion for Hilaal visibility is the angluar separation between the
Sun and the Moon at sunset. There are excellent models for predicting naked-eye
visibility of Hilaal now available Alhamdulillaah including Shaukat, Durrani,
Yallop, Ilyas, many on MoonCalc by Dr. Monzur Ahmed
(http://www.starlight.demon.co.uk/mooncalc/). Also, there are about 20% cases
when the calculation would not give a definite answer as the point of
observation lay within the “zone of uncertainty” and then physical sighting
would be the only recourse. My own sighting experience in America always
confirmed the predictions of Br. Mohib and Br. Khalid. But usually the Saudi
announcements were at least a day ahead of the
predictions.
So
the natural question was – is there some problem in the Saudi Announcement ? If
the Saudi sighting is correct, then the Hilaal should be more easily seen in USA
where the sunset is several hours later and hence there would be no conflict
regarding the Eid date in America. Also, how come at times the Saudi
announcement indicates sighting of Hilaal when the moon sets before sunset
there, and even before the birth of the dark invisible astronomical new moon!
Further, even the following simple reasoning cast doubt in Saudi dates: The
world being a globe, any place round the world (on the same latitude), should
over time be equally likely to be the first place to sight the Hilaal. Hence
for some years, the sighting in USA should be before sighting in Saudi Arabia.
But if every year the Saudi announcement is ahead of the sighting in USA, the
question arises: Are there some errors ?
Against
the backdrop of these questions, Allaah (SWT) gave me a chance to work and stay
in Saudi Arabia for about 5 years (1416-1421H / 1995-2000G). I wanted to use my
stay to find out about the system for Hilaal sighting there, and to check my
personal sighting attempts there. I also wanted to find more about the
“UmmUlQura Calendar”. First, as was
perhaps expected, I found that most local people had no idea of any mistakes in
the Saudi announcements for Hilaal, and an extremely small percentage of my
local Saudi practicing Muslim friends had ever attempted to sight the Hilaal in
their life. Then Alhamduilillaah I was able to meet some Astronomers and also
find that the UmmUlQura Calendar is designed in KACST – the prestigious King
Abdul Aziz University for Science and Technology in Riyadh.
The
local Astronomers brothers I met were very warm and welcoming. I found that
there has been a major change in the UmmUlQura Calendar computation criteria
starting 1420H. Before that year, the UmmUlQura calendar was based on Greenwich
and not Makkah. Also it was based on the dark invisible Astronomical new moon
being born. Thus it was totally different from the actual Hilaal observation.
Starting about 1420H, the new criterion is that the Moonset be after Sunset in
Makkah (even by one second). Starting 1423H Insha’Allaah it will again change
slightly to directly take the astronomical new moon (conjunction) also into
account. But the main input I got was that the UmmUlQura calendar was for CIVIL
use only, and NOT for predicting the Hilaal for religious dates. The Astronomers
were well aware that the moonset needs to be after sunset by a long time, and
not just one second (along with other factors) for the Hilaal to be visible. But
the point was that the UmmUlQura calendar neither attempts nor claims to predict
the Hilaal. It is merely used for the official dates in the Ministries, schools,
Saudia Airlines, and indeed all over the country Alhamdulillaah. Also, the local
Astronomers were very well aware that there were a LOT of errors in the Saudi
announced dates.
These
official committees seemed to be a wonderful news and excellent solution
Alhamdulillaah. So why should there still be a problem ? Well, the answer is as
follows:
Thus
while Saudi Astronomers are quite aware of the problems, there seemed to be
negligible awareness in the community at large. But then I was surprised to see
that Saudi Press began limited discussions on the errors. I saw an excellent
article in Arab News of February 11, 2000G about the inaccuracy of EidUlFitr
1420H (See Illustration 1). Subsequently I also saw nice articles in Arabic in
AdDawah magazine, 6 Shawwal 1420H etc., and the article of Sheikh AlManea (of
Makkah AlMukarramah) in AlJazeerah, December 12, 1999. So while the coverage was
still limited, at least there was some acknowledgement of the errors, though not
officially.
I
started writing letters to a lot of the respected Ulema of Saudi Arabia,
mentioning in particular the EidUlFitr 1420H error as proven from the Solar
Eclipse also (even without reference to calculations), and I attached the Fatwa
of Sheikh AlOthaimeen (RH) about Solar Eclipse and Hejiri dates. I mentioned
that these days there are so many artificial objects in the sky that it is
possible for Muslims to mistake other objects for Hilaal. Hence the people who
want to sight the Hilaal should accompany one of these official Hilaal sighting
committees which include scholar, astronomer, and local official. This would
help check the testimony and reduce the errors Insha’Allaah. Most scholars
seemed to be totally unaware of the problem. Some scholars, however like Sheikh
AlOthaimeen (RH) and Sheikh AlManea (of Makkah AlMukarramah), we found have a
broad knowledge in this field. We did not get much response to the scores of
letters we sent. But then Alhamdulillaah we managed to get a meeting with Sheikh
AlOthaimeen (RH)!
I
mentioned to Sheikh AlOthaimeen (RH) that for Muslims in America, the error in
Saudi date announcements causes big problems, since some Muslims follow that,
while others follow local sighting, thus resulting in multiple Eid celebrations
in the same city, if not the same Masjid! I learned that Sheikh AlOthaimeen
supports Ikhtilaaf AlMatale (Multiple Horizons / Local Sighting) - Muslims
outside Saudi Arabia should do their own Local Sighting (instead of calling
Saudi Arabia). This is already published in the book: Fatawa Islamiya (Sheikh
Bin Baaz, Sheikh AlOthaimeen & Sheikh AlJibreen, published by DarulWatan
LilNashr – see Illustration 4). Sheikh AlOthaimeen also writes that Sheikh Ibn
Taimiya supported Ikhtilaaf AlMatale. In fact Saudi Arabia itself practices
Ikhtilaaf AlMatale (e.g. they did
not follow Yemen’s earlier sighting in 1420H). I mentioned that while most
Muslims in America agree to local sighting for 11 months, some want to follow
the Saudi announcement for EidUlAdha. Sheikh AlOthaimeen (RH) indicated that he
supports Ikhtilaaf AlMatale for EidUlAdha also, and that the sighting process
for all the 12 months should be the same (Thus Muslims outside Saudi Arabia
should do their own Local Sighting for EidUlAdha also, instead of calling Saudi
Arabia). He immediately wrote a Fatwa on this and gave me the original paper,
while keeping a photocopy for his records (see Illustration 5). Thus in his
opinion, Muslims in North America should not have multiple dates for Eid etc.
and just go by local sighting, unaffected by the errors in Saudi announcements
including Eid UlAdha. I learned
that there are also other references from Sheikh AlOthaimeen (RH) supporting
local sighting for EidUlAdha. (See
http://www.ummah.net/moonsighting/fatawah/saudalim.htm). Also see at
http://www.ummah.net/moonsighting/fatawah/isnaqa.htm that the Annual Session of
Fiqh Academy, held in Jordan, October 11-16, 1986 attended by more than 100
outstanding scholars of Shari’ah adopted a resolution recommending that all
Muslim countries should determine all the lunar months including Dhul-Hijjah on
the same basis for both EidUlFitr and EidUlAdha. Also available on the website
is the Fatwa of Mufti Taqi Usmani from Pakistan supporting Ikhtilaaf AlMatale
for EidUlAdha as well.
Further,
even those scholars who support Wahdat AlMatale, say categorically that one
cannot fix any one point on earth (e.g. Saudi Arabia) for worldwide decision on
date. Thus, sighting in USA / India / Yemen / Nigeria / Fiji etc. should be as
valid in establishing the date worldwide including Saudi Arabia as the sighting
in Saudi Arabia, if one follows Wahdat AlMatale. Thus to "Just follow Saudi
date" is neither Ikhtilaaf AlMatale, nor Wahdat AlMatale, and hence should have
no daleel / basis in Shariah.
Also,
we find in Tirmidhi: Reported on the authority of Ibn Umar (RA): Rasulallah
(SAW) lived in Medina for ten years and made sacrifice each year. (Tirmidhi).
Thus the EidUlAdha was instituted in the first year of Hijrah - several years before Hajj became obligatory in the
sixth year of Hijrah (see lam'at commentary on Mishkat).
Further,
even after the 6th year of Hijrah, there is no evidence from the Sunnah that
the Prophet Muhammad SAW made any attempts to synchronize the EidUlAdha in
Medinah etc. with the Hilaal sighting in Makkah, even though 10 nights and 9
days were enough to send a messenger between Makkah and Medinah. Ofcourse
the Salaah of Eid-ul-Adha is not wajib (incumbent) upon the Hujjaj.
For
centuries, the Muslim world had no way of knowing the date of Hajj in Saudi
Arabia until the Hujjaaj came back, perhaps months later. Muslims celebrated
EidUlAdha by local sighting.
According to Mufti Taqi Usmani, this itself implies that it is not
obligatory according to Quran or the Sunnah to celebrate Eid al-Adha according
to Saudi calendar. Had this been so, Muslims would have tried their best to find
the exact date of Hajj in Saudi Arabia. However, no jurists have ever stressed
that such information be collected in order to celebrate Eid al-Adha according
to Saudi dates. Further, if it is held that the real intention of Quran and
Sunnah was to link the celebration of Eid al-Adha with the Saudi dates, as a
mandatory provision for all Muslims in the world, it means that the Shari'ah has
stressed a principle which was not acceptable for 1300 years. Is it not against
the Quranic declaration that Allah does not make a thing mandatory unless it is
practical for the human beings ? If it is argued that the celebration of Eid
al-Adha was not linked with the dates in Makkah in the past but it has become a
mandatory requirement of the Shari'ah now, then the question arises, who has
abrogated the previous principle and on what basis? There is no provision in
Quran or the Sunnah which orders the Muslims to celebrate Eid al-Adha according
to their local dates up to a particular time and to link it with the dates in
Makkah thereafter.
Further,
using sighting in Saudi Arabia for North America can force us to ignore our
earlier local Hilaal sighting. (The world is round - for certain years, e.g.
North America should see Hilaal one date before Middle-East– e.g. see
Illustration 5). Clearly wouldn’t this violate the hadith of fasting on seeing
the Hilaal and breaking on seeing it ? (Compiled by Bukhari 3-124: Abu Huraira
(RA) has narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: “Start fasting on seeing the
crescent (of Ramadaan) and give up fasting on seeing the crescent (of Shawwal)
and if the sky is overcast (and you cannot see it) complete thirty days of
Sha’ban”). So shouldn't "Just follow Saudi date" be obviously incorrect in the
Islamic Shariah for people living far from Saudi Arabia It can lead to Eid
al-Adha being celebrated in North America on 8th or 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, and
people also performing the sacrifice before its correct time.
Since
the world is round like a globe, the First Hilaal Sighting (“Lunar Date Line”
for a month) can occur anywhere Around the Globe. Programs like MoonCalc of Dr.
Monzur Ahmed (obtain software from http://www.starlight.demon.co.uk/mooncalc/)
can predict the first Hilaal sighting curve (see Illustration 8). Thus we see
that Astronomy supports Ikhtilaaf AlMatale (Multiple Horizons / Local Sighting)
since areas outside the “Lunar Date Line” Curve see the Hilaal on the Next day
(Cross International Solar Date Line). Hence we should aim towards EidulFitr
& EidUlAdha celebration around much of the world in about 24 hours (But Two
“Solar Dates” because of the Artificial International Solar Date Line). We
should NOT force an effort to artificially make the worldwide Lunar date
coincide with a solar date. Also, note that at any ONE given moment of time, one
part of the world has one solar day/date while another part of the earth has the
NEXT solar day /date! E.g. at the exact time of my writing this sentence, it is
Wednesday evening in USA, but Thursday morning in China / Japan! So we should
focus on e.g.: Eid prayer around the globe in about 24 hours rather than one
SOLAR date. Local sighting for Eid is as natural as local timings for prayer.
After all, New York does not pray Fajr by Tokyo time!
Prof.
Muhammad Ilyas of Malaysia, a pioneer in the calculations of Hilaal prediction,
Masha’Allaah has hence proposed for civil use, a Tri-zonal Hejiri calendar:
dividing the earth into 3 zones: Americas; Europe-Africa-West Asia; Asia-Pacific
and calculating Hilaal visibility separately for each region. This Tri-Zonal
Calendar concept has also gained support in the Jordanian Astronomical Society
(Mohammed Odeh and others) and elsewhere Alhamdulillaah. Please see
http://www.starlight.demon.co.uk/ildl/zone3 for
details. Thus for example, sometimes Hilaal sighting in North America can be One
Date Before Hilaal sighting in Saudi
Arabia, e.g. see projection from MoonCalc in Illustration 8. Also see http://www.ummah.net/moonsighting for
more details.
Note
that if earth was Flat (instead of spherical) - WahdatAlmatale (Single Horizon)
would be valid – we would then see the hilaal at the same time everywhere !
As
Muslims, we believe that all knowledge is from Allaah (SWT), who is the ultimate
source. Thus we find that the Qur’aan has no contradiction with established
facts of science. In fact the description of the embryo in the womb of the
mother, the stability provided by the mountains, the hydrology / water cycle,
composition of living matter mostly with water, origin of the universe and the
movement of both the sun and the moon are among the amazing examples of how
accurately the Qur’aan revealed over 1400 years ago describes scientific facts
discovered recently. The Qur’aan states in Sura ArRahmaan #55,Verse 5: (Yusuf
Ali translation): The sun and the moon follow courses (exactly) computed. Thus I
was happy to learn that several scholars including Sheikh AlManea (of Makkah
Mukarramah) support using calculations to negate erroneous sightings. Similarly,
historically, great Islamic Scholars like Imam Subki and others have also
supported using Astronomy to negate erroneous hilaal sighting, comparing
sighting report to “Zan” (with doubt), while calculation (when confirmed) as
“Yaqeen” (without doubt). Taqi al-Din al-Subki (d.1355 GC) mentions that if
calculation based on conclusive premises proves that crescent visibility is
impossible, then the testimony of witnesses (who actually sighted the crescent)
should not be accepted but should be regarded as fraudulent or committed in
error”. Also, Sheikh Ibn Taimiya has written on how long it takes for the Hilaal
to appear after the “old moon” (seen at Fajr) disappears. Of course, none of the
Saudi scholars I know, support calculations to completely replace sighting. Even those scholars worldwide who
support using calculations to assist Hilaal sighting, mostly do not agree to
calculations completely replacing actual sighting, supporting that actual
sighting is the Islamic law.
Further
I learned from reliable sources that that last Eid UlFitr (1421H), several
“early witnesses” in Saudi Arabia were turned down due to the Solar eclipse.
This is perhaps the first time I hear of “witnesses” being turned down in Saudi
Arabia due to contradiction with basic scientific facts. Insha’Allaah this seems
to be a new and good trend in Saudi Arabia, but there may not be a Solar Eclipse
every time! (There is a Solar Eclipse on 29th of Ramadaan 1422H though). There
should also be an investigation into the reasons for the errors. Perhaps the
presence of numerous objects in the sky today could cause errors. (E.g. see
Airplanes, wisp of clouds, crescent of planets, satellites, or even a white hair
in the eye, etc.). Also, if Insha’Allaah all who wish to sight the Hilaal in
Saudi Arabia should accompany one of these several existing Official Saudi
Hilaal Sighting Committees which include Scholar, Astronomer & Government
representative, the errors should be reduced considerably
Insha’Allaah.
Thus
as a “guide” to reduce errors, we should use Astronomical Calculations for Naked
Eye Hilaal Sighting Criterion e.g. Dr. Durrani’s results or Br. Shaukat’s or
Yallop’s criterion in MoonCalc. As mentioned before, however, it is important to
use the correct calculations – not calculations for the astronomical dark new
moon, or simply moonset after sunset, but calculations for naked eye visibility
of the young crescent Hilaal. The time after astronomical new moon birth is NOT
the best determining factor for hilaal visibility. Instead the angular
separation between moon and sun at local sunset must be at least 7 or 8 degrees
for Hilaal to be visible. (7 degrees is the theoretical minimum “Danjon limit”
agreed by Astronomers). For different months this could lead to different
minimum time between sunset and moonset for Hilaal to be visible by naked
eye.
The
calculations related to the position of moon, earth and the birth of the
astronomical (dark) new moon are extremely precise. But due to the variations of
atmospheric optics, as related earlier, there are certain cases (about 20%) when
the calculations for Hilaal
visibility would not give a definite answer as the western part of our
Matala (e.g. California for North America) lies within the “zone of
uncertainty”. Thus actual physical local naked eye sighting definitely has a
role to play even from the point of view of Astronomers, and is of course closer
to the Sunnah, which is very important. Practically speaking this means that
Insha’Allaah for about 80% of the cases, the dates for Eid etc. would be
predictable, while for about 20% of the cases the date could be one of the two
days given by the Astronomers, who may also indicate which of the two dates is
more likely. Latest research in Atmospheric Optics, such as that by Br. Mustafa
Helvaci should be used to further reduce the “zone of uncertainty” and increase
the predictability beyond the current 80% of the times
Insha’Allaah.
Insha’Allaah
we should encourage the Sunnah of Naked-Eye Hilaal Sighting. After seeing the
Hilaal, the recommended du’a is: “Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar.
AlHamdulillaah Aladhi Khalaqani Wa Khalaqaka, Wa Qaddara Laka Manazil Wa
Ja’alalaka Ayatna Lil Aalameen” (Translation: Allaah is the Greatest, Allaah is
the Greatest, Allaah is the Greatest. Praise be to Allaah who created me and you
and decreed for you the phases and made you a sign for the
universe).
Thus
we should replace “Hilaal-Fighting” with Hilaal sighting! Also, we should use
“Group Sighting” to reduce errors. Research shows error in reports of (honest)
solo observers. Further, we observe from the times of our Pious Predecessors the
following incident: Hadrat Omar (RA) was puzzled when Hadrat Anas (RA) (very old
age) claimed to have seen a crescent moon when everybody else, including Hadrat
Omar (RA) himself at the same location could not see the crescent moon. He
walked to Hadrat Anas (RA), removed the white hair from his eyebrow, and then
asked him to see again. Now he could see no ‘crescent moon’. (See Aujaz al
Masalik v.5, p.21, Tantawi’s Irshad p.154, Bain al- Sunnah wal Ijtihad by Nimr
p.50 etc. Similar cases where Qadi rejected the claim of sighting/Shahadah of
very prominent people only because others did not see any crescent from the same
location. (Shuraih, etc.)”. Many of the Ahadith referring to Hilaal sighting
also apparently indirectly imply that it was a group of Muslims who did the sighting.
Following
the same principal, for improving the process in Saudi Arabia too, Insha’Allaah,
I suggest that we write to the Ulema, Ambassadors, WazaratulAdal, the Crown
Prince, Majlis AlQada AlAala, Masjlis AlKabair AlUlema etc. of Saudi Arabia, and
support that all who wish to sight the Hilaal in Saudi Arabia should accompany
one of the several existing Official Saudi Hilaal Sighting Committees which
include Scholar, Astronomer & Government representative, and thus use group
sighting to reduce human errors Insha’Allaah.
As
mentioned before, scholars like Sheikh AlOthaimeen (RH) support naked eye
sighting rather than using telescopes.
He indicated that using telescopes increases the “Takalluf” (Burden) on
Muslims, which Allaah (SWT) does not want. Thus even though the Official Saudi Arabian Hilaal committees may
carry a telescope, the official witness is only on naked eye visibility. Other
scholars also cite Surah Al Baqarah, verse 189 which refers to the Hilaal as a
definite
sign
that ushers in each new Islamic lunar month and a sign is something that is
visible to a common person. This also makes Islam easy for ordinary Muslims, no
matter where, since the ordinary Muslim does not have a telescope. If the
telescope criterion was used, the majority of Muslims would be effectively
excluded from the Hilaal sighting process. Using a telescope may result in
seeing the Hilaal one day earlier on many occassions. (See illustration 8 –
Areas between Curves C and D would see Hilaal only by telescope. Naked eye
visibility for this area would be next day). Using naked eye sighting also
appeals to the logic that whatever criterion we use today should back calculate
to the same dates that were likely decided at the time of Prophet Muhammad
(SAW). Thus for example Br. Yaser
ElMenshawy, Chairman of the Majlis AshShoora (Council of Masajid) of New Jersey,
USA, supports naked eye sighting, as this would result in the Hilaal (Islamic
New moon Crescent) being typically One Day After the Astronomical new moon (Dark
moon / Invisible / No moon) and thus makes 13,14,15 of month as “white fasts”
(full moon) as mentioned in Seerah. Please see the Illustration 7 and also refer
to http://www.moonsighting.com/ and http://www.columbia.edu/~mnd/ for more
details. Of course I personally do not equate eye-glasses to telescopes. Since
eye-glasses are meant to correct the vision, and make it equivalent to the
normal naked eye. Further, the use of correctional eye-glasses does not
introduce the “Takalluf” / burden (as referred to by Sheikh AlOthaimeen (RH)
above). Rather I feel that dis-allowing eye-glasses may introduce a burden. The
unaided (naked eye) sighting has proved to be a method that is, straightforward,
pure and not complex, used successfully and correctly by overwhelming majority
of the Muslim Ummah Alhamdulillaah year after year (including India, Pakistan,
Bangladesh and Indonesia which comprise about 70% of the entire Muslim
population).
This
document threw some light on Reasons for Islamic dates confusion and their
solution Insha'Allaah, based on first hand information on the Saudi UmmUlQura
calendar, which is not calculated to predict the Hilaal, but for “Civil”
purposes only, (NOT for determining religious dates). Also as we have found, the
Official Saudi Hilaal Sighting Committees (which include Scholar, Astronomer and
Government Representatives) differ from “Official” Saudi announcement of dates.
Some Saudi Ulema (Sheikh AlOthaimeen RH etc.) and some Saudi Press are aware of
errors (e.g. Arab News article February 11, 2000G about the inaccuracy of
EidUlFitr 1420H, AdDawah magazine 6 Shawwal 1420H etc.; AlJazeerah December 12,
1999G). But it may take some time to fix the problem
there.
I
believe that perhaps the best procedure in the world is already established in
Saudi Arabia – the Official Hilaal sighting committees near Makkah, Riyadh,
Qassim, Hail, Tabuk and Asir, each of which include an Islamic Scholar, an
Astronomer and a Government Official in addition to any volunteer. But the
results of these committee are often different from the official Saudi
announcement. May Allaah (SWT) help in resolving that properly. Aameen.
A
similar method (Hilaal sighting committees) is also adopted in India, Bangladesh
and Pakistan (with over 400 Million Muslims just in these 3 countries), where
Alhamdulillaah year after year, the correct date is
reached.
May
Allaah (SWT) help in establishing similar appropriate efforts all over the
world. Aameen.
If
there is a need for a Hejiri Calendar for Civil use in North America,
calculations by Br. Khalid Shaukat or Dr. Mohib Durrani for prediction of Hilaal
visibility by naked eye, should be the best Insha’Allaah. For the roughly 20% of
the cases, these dates may different from the actual naked eye Hilaal
sighting.
For
world wide civil Hejiri calendar purposes, the Tri-zonal calendar of Prof.
Muhammad Ilyas of Malaysia seems quite good Masha’Allaah – doing 3 separate
calculations for hilaal visibility for 3 zones of the earth: Americas;
Europe-Africa-West Asia; Asia-Pacific (see
http://www.starlight.demon.co.uk/ildl/zone3 for details). This Tri-Zonal
Calendar concept has also gained support in the Jordanian Astronomical Society
(Mohammed Odeh and others) and elsewhere Alhamdulillaah. These calculations may
be done by any of the excellent existing models on MoonCalc for naked-eye
criterion Insha’Allaah.
The
UmmUlQura Calendar should Insha’Allaah also be updated to reflect the best
calculations for naked eye visibility of Hilaal, and not just the moonset after
sunset (even by one second). Note that the single major factor in predicting Hilaal
visibility is NOT the time after astronomical new moon birth, nor the moonset –
sunset lag. Instead, the single biggest
factor is that the angular separation between moon and sun at local sunset
must be at least 7 or 8 degrees for Hilaal to be visible. Good models (including
Br. Shaukat’s) are now available on MoonCalc.
In
North America we are Insha’Allaah implementing the decision of the Islamic
Shoora Council of North America: Local sighting in North America unless proven
impossible by Astronomy i.e. (Less than 7 degree geocentric angular separation
between sun & moon at local sunset implies impossible to sight Hilaal-
Danjon Limit). We should also educate (with Hikmah) and encourage Muslims in
other countries to adopt similar local sighting criteria validated by the Danjon
astronomical impossibility limit Insha’Allaah. Alternatively, Hilaal sighting
committees such as those in Saudi Arabia (which are not used fully yet) should
be established for decision making in every countries. Such committees are used
very effectively Alhamdulillaah in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan (with over 400
Million Muslims), where Alhamdulillaah year after year, the correct date is
reached.
For
improving the process in Saudi Arabia Insha’Allaah, I suggest that we write to
the Ulema, Ambassadors, WazaratulAdal, the Crown Prince, Majlis AlQada AlAala,
Masjlis AlKabair AlUlema etc. of Saudi Arabia, and support that all who wish to
sight the Hilaal in Saudi Arabia should accompany one of the several existing
Official Saudi Hilaal Sighting Committees which include Scholar, Astronomer
& Government representative, to reduce human errors Insha’Allaah.
We
should also write to the UmmUlQura Calendar brothers to encourage an update to
their model to reflect the best calculations for naked eye visibility of Hilaal,
and not just the moonset after sunset (even by one second). Even though the
UmmUlQura calendar is for "civil" use and not "religious" use, it sets the
expectations, and makes it difficult in many cases for us to tell the Saudi
authorities that their decision was Astronomically impossible. As mentioned
before, the single biggest factor in
predicting Hilaal visibility is NOT the time after astronomical new moon birth,
nor the moonset – sunset lag. Instead, the single biggest factor is that the
angular separation between moon and sun at local sunset must be at least 7 or 8
degrees for Hilaal to be visible. Alhamdulillaah good models (including Br.
Shaukat’s) are now available on MoonCalc. At the very least UmmUlQura calendar
should be updated Insha’Allaah to use the absolute minimum agreed by Astronomers
– the Danjon limit - 7 degree geocentric angular separation between sun &
moon at local sunset implies impossible to sight Hilaal.
We
should also encourage Muslims Worldwide to Sight the Hilaal and report it (e.g.
to ICOP - Islamic Crescent Observation Project of Jordanian Astronomical Society
http://www.jas.org.jo/icop.html or CFCO (Br. Omar Afzal), and compare results to
refine existing models towards increased confidence Insha’Allaah. (Similar to
full confidence in calculated Salaah - Prayer Time). Latest research in
Atmospheric Optics, such as that by Br. Mustafa Helvaci should be used to
further reduce the “zone of uncertainty” and increase the predictability beyond
the current 80% of the times Insha’Allaah. We should Continue Efforts AND Du’as
for correction. (But please note: those going for Hajj must still follow the
Saudi dates for Hajj, and not make “fitna”, for that can be worse – please
confirm with your Ulema). We should also encourage dissemination / posting of
information such as this essay Insha’Allaah, especially to the decision-makers /
Muslim leadership throughout the world Insha’Allaah. Please obtain this article
and illustrations from http://www.jas.org.jo/~hilaal/ for forwarding / posting /
publishing in Muslim newspapers / magazines / websites worldwide Insha'Allaah.
For further details, I may be contacted at s.shaikh@ieee.org
Insha’Allaah.
Finally
but most importantly, we should make du’a that Allaah (SWT) forgive any mistakes
and help, guide & unite us all.
May Allaah (SWT) open our hearts and give Ikhlas, Barakah, Hidayah,
Mutual Understanding, Mutual Respect and Cooperation between all Muslims, no
matter which organization or Islamic movement they work through – whether ISNA,
ICNA, Jamaat Tabligh, MSA, Islamic Ministries, Local Masajid / Islamic School or
any other sincere one. Aameen.
SubhanAllaahi
Wa Bi Hamdihi. SubhanakAllaahumaa We BiHamdika Nashhadu AlLaa ilaaha Illa Anta,
Nastghfiruka Wa Natoobu Ilayk. Aooothobillaahi MinashShaytaanirRajeem. Subhana
Rabbika Rabbil Izzati Amma Yasifoon Wa Salaamun AlalMursaleen WalHamdulillaah
RabbilAalameen. Aameen.