Do not Disregard the Moonsighting to Rely on Calendars for the Beginning and End of Ramadhaan
In
the Name of Allaah, the Ever Merciful, the Most Merciful…
All
Muslims concerned with following the Quran and Sunnah properly should be
advised that it is not permissible to plan
the first day of Ramadhaan based solely on calendars and the scientific
predictions behind them.
This
is because Allaah has legislated fasting to begin with the sighting of the
crescent of Ramadhaan or the completion of 30 days of Sha’baan when the
crescent is not visible. His Messenger (may Allaah raise his rank and
grant him peace) said, quite clearly:
لا تصوموا حتى تروا الهلال ولا تفطروا حتى تروه
“Do
not begin fasting until you sight the moon, and do not break your fast (for
‘Eed) until you have sighted it.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
Since Monday will be the 29th of Sha’baan, Ramadhaan 1434 will begin on either Tuesday (July 9, 2013)
or Wednesday (July 10,
2013), depending on whether or not the moon is
sighted.
Please
be advised that any people claiming at this time that Ramadhaan will begin on a
pre-specified day are people who are inviting you to leave the clear practice
of fasting according to the Book and the Sunnah.
Please
take the time to read the following official verdict of the
Permanent Committee of Scholars on the topic if you are not
entirely clear on the Islaamic rulings related to this matter:
May
Allaah bless the Muslims and unite them upon the Book of their Lord, the Sunnah
of His Messenger (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace), and the way
of the Companions and early Muslims who practiced it purely.
NOTE: Do not
allow the legitimate scholarly differing over the issue of “local” vs. “global”
moonsighting to be grounds for anyone to introduce any concept they choose –
like rejecting the entire concept of moonsighting altogether!
And
Allaah knows best. [End of Article]
