The Balkan Chronicle

Ru`yatul Hilal (Moon-sighting)

Between Shari'ah and Astronomical Calculations

Definitions
Shari'ah: Sunnah; Method; Law; Way; Minhaj; Clear Way.
Ummi: Unlettered; One who cannot read or write.
Ummah: Nation (as in, Muslim nation).
Hilal: Crescent.
Ru'yah: Sighting; Seeing with the eye.
Badr: Full Moon.
'Hisab: Calculations; Counting; Calculus.
'Hasib: One who practices counting or calculations.
Kitabah: Writing; Recording; Scribing.
Mutafiqqihah: Those with lesser knowledge, unqualified to discuss matters of Islamic Law or religious aspects in general.

Shadh-dh: A discredited opinion because it contradicts established facts.
Ijma': Consensus of the Prophet's companions (as Imam Ibn 'Hazm stated).
Bid'ah: Innovation ("Every innovation (in religion) is a sin," collected by Muslim).
Fitnah: Trials in life and religion.
Munajjim: Fortuneteller.

Definitions:
Shari`ah: Sunnah; Method; Law; Way; Minhaj; Clear Way.
Ummi: Unlettered; One who cannot read or write.
Ummah: Nation (as in, Muslim nation).
Hilal: Crescent.
Ru`yah: Sighting; Seeing with the eye.
Badr: Full Moon.
`Hisab: Calculations; Counting; Calculus.
`Hasib: One who practices counting or calculations.
Kitabah: Writing; Recording; Scribing.
Mutafiqqihah: Those with lesser knowledge, unqualified to discuss matters of Islamic
Law or religious aspects in general.
Shadh-dh: A discredited opinion because it contradicts established facts.
Ijma’: Consensus of the Prophet’s companions (as Imam Ibn `Hazm stated).
Bid`ah: Innovation (“Every innovation (in religion) is a sin,” collected by Muslim).
Fitnah: Trials in life and religion.
Munajjim: Fortuneteller.

Guidelines

1. Allah, sub`hanahu wa-ta`ala, said, {Then We have put you (O, Muhammad, salla- llahu alaihi wa-sallam) on a Shari`ah (plain way of Our) commandment [legal ways and laws of Islâmic Monotheism)]. So follow you that (Islâmic Monotheism and its laws), and follow not the desires of those who know not.} (45:18)
2. Allah, sub`hanahu wa-ta`ala, said, {Nor does he (Muhammad, salla-llahu alaihi wa- sallam) speak of (his own) desire. It is only a Revelation revealed.} (53:3-4)
3. Imams Bukhari and Muslim reported that Allah’s Final and Last Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad, salla-llahu `alaihi wa-sallam, said, “Start fasting on seeing the crescent (of Ramadan), 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.”
4. Imams Bukhari and Muslim narrated that Allah’s Final and Last Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad, salla-llahu `alaihi wa-sallam, said, “We are an Ummi (unlettered) nation; we neither Naktub (write, record), nor Na`hsub (count, calculate). The month is like this and this (i.e., sometimes of 29 days and sometimes of thirty days).”
5. The Prophet of Allah, salla-llahu `alaihi wa-sallam, accepted testimony from one man who sighted the moon and ordered Muslims to fast (Sahih Sunan Abi Dawud).

The Old/New Fitnah

Shaikh-ul-Islam, Imam Ibn Taimiyyah, died several centuries ago.  Among the vast treasures of Islamic knowledge that he left behind for all Muslims to benefit from, is that he discussed the old/new annual Fitnah that divides Muslims regarding moon- sighting vs. astronomical calculations.  What he wrote on this topic is astoundingly contemporary, as if Ibn Taimiyyah is still living among us and witnessing the endless bickering between Muslims in the West, in specific, regarding when to start Ramadhan and other religious seasons.

1. ‘Astronomical calculations’ is an ancient type of ‘knowledge.’  Arabs, as well as, Persians, Indians, Greeks, Chinese and Egyptians excelled in the ‘knowledge’ of astronomy and astronomical calculations.  This fact is well-known and is amply established and found in books on the history of astronomy.
2. Currently, many Muslims who discuss this topic are utterly unaware of or about the vast  knowledge  humankind  has  had  about  astronomy  and  astronomical calculations, both before and after Islam.
3. he fact that the Prophet, salla-llahu `alaihi wa-sallam, mentioned the word, `Hisab, with regards to lunar months, is self-evident of the knowledge the Arabs had on it.
4. The Quran and Sunnah are a revelation from Allah, the All-Knower of the past, present, and future.  Even though Allah granted humankind knowledge in astronomy both before and after He sent Muhammad, salla-llahu `alaihi wa-sallam, as His Final and Last Prophet and Messenger, He, the Exalted, the Honored, ordered Muslims to sight the, Hilal, with their eyes.
5. Shari`ah vs. Majority Rule: {It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allâh and
6. His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allâh and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed into a plain error.} (33:36)

Imam Ibn Taimiyyah on Astronomical Calculations

Here is a translation of some excellent words by Imam Ibn Taimiyyah which we present to every Muslim who seeks that which is better with Allah, that is, gaining and attaining knowledge before saying or doing anything.  We collected these words from Ibn Taimiyyah’s, Fatawa, and his, Letter on the Hilal (Crescent).

Imam Ibn Taimiyyah said, “All thanks are due to Allah, Who sent the Book (Quran) down to His Slave [and Prophet, Muhammad, salla-llahu alaihi wa-sallam,] and made it a source of clear guidance regarding everything and a reminder for people of correct understanding, and ordered us to abide by it since it is His Rope that is the firmest of all handle-holds. Allah guided us by it (Quran) to the paths of guidance and methods of correctness, and stated in it that,{It is He Who made the sun a shining thing and the moon as a light and measured out for it stages that you might know the number of years and the reckoning} (10:5).

I [Ibn Taimiyyah] bear witness that there is no Ilah except Allah, Alone without
partners, Lord of the lords, and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger who was sent with the concise speech, wisdom and Fasl Al-Khitab (sound judgment in speech and decision). May Allah's Salah (peace and mercy) be on him (Muhammad, salla-llahu
'alaihi wa-sallam) and on his family, an everlasting Salah that remains to the Day of Return (Day of Resurrection).

Amma Ba'd (Next): Allah has completed our religion for us, perfected His Favor on us, and has chosen Islam for us as our religion. He ordered us to follow His Straight Path and to avoid the paths that will deviate us from His Path ... He commanded us to not be like those who divided and disputed [with each other] after the clear signs came to them. He told His Messenger that,{Verily, those who divide their religion and break up into sects (all kinds of religious sects), you (O, Muhammad, salla-llahu alaihi wa- sallam) have no concern in them in the least} (6:159).

Allah stated that He made him (Prophet Muhammad, salla-llahu 'alaihi wa- sallam) on a Shari'ah (plain way) of the Commandment (Islamic Monotheism and its Laws) and ordered him to follow it and to not follow the path of those who know not. Allah also said, {And We have sent down to you (O, Muhammad, salla-llahu alaihi wa- sallam) the Book (this Qur'ân) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Mohayminan (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures). So judge among them by what Allâh has revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging away from the truth that has come to you. To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way ... If Allâh had willed, He would have made you one Ummah (nation), but that (He) may test you in what He has given you; so compete in good deeds. The return of you (all) is to Allâh; then He will inform you about that in which you used to differ. And so judge (you, O, Muhammad, salla-llahu alaihi wa-sallam) among them by what Allâh has revealed and follow not their vain desires, but beware of them lest they turn you (O, Muhammad, salla-llahu alaihi wa-sallam) far away from some of that which Allâh has sent down to you.} (5:48-49)

Allah ordered him (Muhammad, salla-llahu 'alaihi wa-sallam) to not follow their vain desires diverging away from the truth that has come to him, even if it was a law or a method legislated for other prophets. This is because Allah has made for every prophet a way and a Sunnah (legal ways; path; law) and warned him (Prophet Muhammad, salla-llahu 'alaihi wa-sallam) against allowing [those who follow their vain desires] to divert him from a part of what Allah had revealed to him.

If this is the ruling with regards to what was a law for other prophets, then, what about what is not known if it was a part of any [earlier] Shari'ah, especially the way of those who did not receive a Book (Divine Inspiration from Allah)? Allah ordered him (Prophet Muhammad salla-llahu 'alaihi wa-sallam) and ordered us in various parts [of His Revelation] to follow that which was sent down to us, not that which contradicts it, by saying, {Alif-Lâm-Mîm-Sâd. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'ân and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings.] (This is the) Book (the Qur'ân) sent down unto you (O, Muhammad, salla-llahu alaihi wa-sallam), so let not your breast be narrow therefrom, that you warn thereby; and a reminder unto the believers. [Say (O, Muhammad, salla-llahu alaihi wa-sallam) to these idolaters (pagan Arabs) of your folk:] Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord (the Qur'ân and Prophet Muhammad's Sunnah), and follow not any Auliyâ' (protectors and helpers who order you to associate partners in worship with Allâh), besides Him (Allâh). Little do you remember!} (7:1-4)

Further, Allah described the condition of those who inherited the Book and defied it, as compared to those who held fast to it, by saying, {Then after them succeeded an (evil) generation, which inherited the Book, but they chose (for themselves) the goods of this low life (evil pleasures of this world) saying (as an excuse): "(Everything) will be forgiven to us." And if (again) the offer of the like (evil pleasures of this world) came their way, they would (again) seize them (would commit those sins). Was not the covenant of the Book taken from them that they would not say about Allâh anything but the truth? And they have studied what is in it (the Book). And the home of the Hereafter is better for those who are Al-Muttaqûn (the pious). Do not you then understand? And as to those who hold fast to the Book (i.e., act on its teachings) and perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), certainly We shall never waste the reward of those who do righteous deeds.} (9:169-170) ..

... The  Prophet,  salla-llahu  'alaihi  wa-sallam,  has  foretold  that  this  Ummah (Muslims) will follow the ways of those who came before them (Christians; Jews; Fire- Worshippers), so completely, just like the feathers of the arrow are perfectly aligned, that if they enter the den of a mastigure (a type of lizard), they (Muslims) will enter it after them. Consequently, there will be among Muslims those who change the words [of Allah and His Messenger] from their proper places, by changing the meaning of the Book [of Allah, the Quran] and the Sunnah [of His Prophet] with regards to that which Allah has foretold or commanded ...

... I [Ibn Taimiyyah] wrote this introduction because of what I witnessed of the people during the month of the Fast as well as in other months that, among them are those who listen to what some of the ignorant people of 'Hisab (astronomical calculations) say that, the moon can or cannot be sighted [on a certain night]. These people build on this stance [that they take] aspects that touch them [at least] inwardly, or both, inwardly and outwardly, being so much so that I have heard that some judges (or leaders) will reject the testimony of a number of trustworthy witnesses [who sighted the moon] relying on the statement of the 'Hasib (who calculates), Jahil (ignorant), Kadhib (liar), who claims that [the moon] can or cannot be seen. Thus, [the judges and leaders described here] become among those who reject the truth after it has been made clear to them. [This type of judge or leader] may even accept testimony from those who are not trustworthy  (meaning, fortunetellers or  even Kafir astronomers). Thus, this judge [or leader] becomes among those who listen to falsehood ...

... Wicked  judges  [and  leaders]  accept  false  statements  from  [unworthy] witnesses and tale-tellers, who, otherwise, are not among those whose statement or news is to be accepted ... Some of them (wicked judges and rulers) may not [totally] agree with what the Munajjim (who, in this case, says the moon can or cannot be seen) says, whether inwardly or outwardly. Yet, they have misgivings in their heart regarding this topic and a strong doubt, because they trust him [the Munajjim, on one hand] yet know that the Shari'ah does not consider [or accept] this method (astronomical calculations). This is especially the case if this person (wicked judges and rulers) has learned some knowledge on 'Hisab (calculations) about the two bright objects, i.e., about the two cylinders (the sun and the moon) being in conjunction with each other and about them when they part with each other by so many degrees, and also [gained some knowledge about] how the new moon occurs, how it becomes full (Badr) and how eclipse happens, either a lunar or a solar eclipse. Consequently, [this wicked judge or ruler who does not totally believe in what fortunetellers say ends up] upholding the judgment of the 'Hasib (who practices astronomical calculations), Kadhib (liar), who is ignorant in sighting [as prescribed by the Shari'ah].

As for those who engage in 'Hisab (astronomical calculations) and follow the positions and movements of heavenly objects, who may give a correct report in this regard, they may be contradicted [rightfully or wrongly] by the ignorant [common-folk] who are unlettered, who may belong to the [Islamic] faith ... since they [the unlettered, common-folk] witness them (those who do 'Hisab) defy the religion [regarding this aspect which the Shari'ah has settled] by using calculations instead of visual sighting and by believing in the favorable or unfavorable effects of the stars. Thus, when they (the unlettered, common-folk) see them (i.e., see those who do 'Hisab) engage in this type of behavior, which is prohibited in the religion, they reject everything they say [whether true or false] ...

... Yet, this type of people (the unlettered, common-folk), are better off in the religion than the first type (who practices 'Hisab): they (the unlettered, common-folk) reject a part of truth due to their ignorance and having the wrong interpretation; but they do not change a part of the foundation of Islam. [In contrast,] the first type (who practices Hisab) may end up changing Islam itself. This is because we know as an established fact of the religion of Islam that, with regards to Hilal of the Fast, Hajj, Iddah (prescribed lunar period before a divorced woman can remarry), Ilaa (Those who take an oath not to have sexual relation with their wives; ayah 2:226) and other aspects of Islamic Law that are connected to the Hilal, it is not allowed to follow the news of the 'Hasib that the Hilal can or cannot be seen. There are many narrations collected from the Prophet, salla-llahu 'alaihi wa-sallam, asserting this aspect. Further, Muslims have agreed on this stance.

There is no reported difference [between respected scholars] with regards to this aspect whether before or during this time, except that some Mutafiqqihah (i.e., who have lesser knowledge) who came after the third hundred [of Hijrah] claimed that if the Hilal (new moon) was shielded from sight, then, it is allowed for the 'Hasib (i.e., who practices astronomical calculations) himself to follow 'Hisab (astronomical calculations) and fast,  if 'Hisab has indicated that sighting the moon is possible; otherwise, the 'Hasib does not fast. This statement, even though tied to the moon being shielded from sight and only for the 'Hasib alone to use, is a Shadh-dh (rejected) opinion that is contrary to Ijma' that preceded it and which contradicts it. As for [the method of  -at least for the 'Hasib- to fast if 'Hisab says the moon can be sighted and not fast if 'Hisab says otherwise], that is, when the moon is not shielded from sight, then no Muslim has [so far] said that it could be used as a valid exception from the general ruling."

The last part of Ibn Taimiyyah's statement means that no respected scholar until his time said that using astronomical calculations when the moon is not shielded from plain sight can be a valid exception to the hadeeth, "Start fasting on seeing the crescent," (Bukhari  and  Muslim#)  which  the  scholars  agree  is  a  general  ruling  for  the  entire Ummah (all Muslims), meaning, including the 'Hasib.

Imam Ibn Taimiyyah also said these words in his, Fatawa, "Our Ummah (Muslims) is not like the People of the Scripture who do not memorize their Holy Books by heart. Rather, if all copies of the Quran vanished, the Quran would still be kept in the hearts of the Ummah. Hence, Muslims are an Ummi Ummah, meaning from this perspective, after the Quran was revealed and memorized by heart. The Sahih [collections of Bukhari and Muslim] reported that Abdullah Ibn Umar said that, the Prophet,  salla-llahu  'alaihi  wa-sallam,  said,  'We  are  an  Ummi  nation;  we  neither Naktub (write, record), nor Na'hsub (count, calculate). The month is like this and this (that being, sometimes of 29 days and sometimes of thirty days).' Note that he, salla- llahu 'alaihi wa-sallam, did not say, 'We cannot read a book or memorize (especially since many companions knew how to read, write, count and memorize).' Rather, he, salla-llahu alaihi wa-sallam, said, 'We do not write or count,' meaning, our religion does not need to be recorded and calculated for, as is the case with the People of the Scripture who know the timings of their fast and breaking the fast [and other religious activities] by using records and calculations. Thus, their religion is tied to books, which if they disappear, they would not know their religion. This is why most of the people of Sunnah memorize Quran and hadeeth more so than those among the people of Bid'ah who do so. People of Bid'ah are similar to the People of the Scripture in some ways. The Two Sahihs stated that the Prophet, salla-llahu 'alaihi wa-sallam, said, 'You will follow the wrong ways, of your predecessors so completely and literally, just as the two feathers of an arrow are perfectly aligned, that if they should go into the hole of a mastigure, you too will go there.' They (the companions) said, 'O, Allah's Prophet! Do you mean the Jews and the Christians?' He replied, 'Who else?'"

Muslims Did What their Prophet Said They Would Do

Islamic Lunar Years Seem to Have Only Two Months: Shawwal and Dhul-'Hijjah

Sadly, many Muslims bicker over an aspect the religion has already settled for them.  Allah's Final Revelation to Muhammad, salla-llahu 'alaihi wa-sallam, ordered all of them to, with regards the Hilal –in specific, rely on what Imam Ibn Taimiyyah called a 'Universal Sign' that they all can witness, whether they were in the desert or in the city, both the lettered and the unlettered among them, so that they may start their lunar months and have their celebrations all together as one Ummah.  Meanwhile, many Muslims, who otherwise ignore major aspects of Islam such as learning and practicing the pillars of Faith and the foundations of Islam, become scholars of both religion and astronomy just before Ramadhan starts.  But, they do this only with regards to two months every year: they bicker about the beginning of Shawwal and the beginning of Dhul-'Hijjah.   As for the rest of the lunar year, they may not have a clue as to what month it is that they are in outside of Ramadhan and Shawwal.

Kafir Astronomers Now Decide for Muslims When to Fast;

Ru'yah Almost Abandoned

What was meant for Muslims to be a wonderful experience they all can share, regardless of the location and degree of education, they take away from the eye and give it to those who use astronomical calculations, and consequently, divide and bicker endlessly among themselves.  What happened to the Prophet's specific instruction to not use 'Hisab?  Just add it to the ever-growing list of consistent defiance of the Sunnah that Allah revealed to His Prophet, salla-llahu 'alaihi wa-sallam.

One should ask oneself this question: when the Prophet, salla-llahu 'alaihi wa- sallam, said this hadeeth about 'Hisab, this being a matter of the religion, did not Allah know that in the future, humankind will be able to literally see the moon around the clock [using astronomical instruments and satellites]?  Still, Allah revealed this clear, plain hadeeth to His Prophet wherein the matter of Hilal is entrusted to the eye, not made a monopoly between the educated, "" (#).

Many Muslims now trust Kafir astronomers, with regards to deciding the beginning of Islamic seasons, such as the beginning of Ramadhan, Shawwal and Dhul- 'Hijjah, more than they trust the Sunnah to provide decisions for them on this aspect. Yet, the vast majority of Muslims ignore the rest of the lunar year.  One never hears of the usual bickering between Muslims with regards to the beginning of the two months of Rabee', for instance, or the rest of the lunar year.

Finally, if one reads the horrific differences between astronomers, those who calculate, just about all aspects of astronomical calculations, one will further know the error of the 'Hisab method.  Just compare the various calendars they use and the conflicting decisions issued by various 'Astronomical Societies' about when the new lunar moons will be born.

May  Allah  save  us  from  error  and  make  us  among  those  who  follow Muhammad, salla-llahu 'alaihi wa-sallam, in all that Allah has revealed to him, without exception.

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Jalal Abualrub authored several books on Islam and Muslims. He maintains and regularly contributes to following two web sites:www.IslamLife.com; www.MadinahEDU.com