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Topic: Sighting of the moon anywhere over the world
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abdulbaasit.malik
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If the Moon has been sighted in saudi arabia then should the whole world celebrate eid or should one go according to their locality? In the fatawa recieved from fatwa-online.com it says that "we shall be completing 29 days of ramadhan". does this "we" include the whole world or is it specific to saudi arabia? And if we here in the UK do follow Saudi Arabia, as the moon has been sighted there, would this be blind following as the moon has not been sighted here. Could you please provide evidences. JazakAllahu khair. alaikum salaam Abdul-baasit
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Moosaa
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QUESTION If the majority (i.e. 5 out of 6) of the administrations of masjids in a city in America follow the regional sighting of the moon to determine the beginning of the months of Ramadhaan and Thul-Hijjah, and the minority (i.e. the one remaining masjid) decides to follow the global sighting of the moon, and they are Salafees, then is this action of theirs correct even if it results in the Muslims in that city having their 'Eeds on different days? ANSWER by Shaykh Wasee Allaah 'Abbaas, lecturer at the Ka'bah, instructor at Umm Al-Quraa University in Makkah That which we know about this issue is that the different lands may have their own individual sightings based on whether or not the moon can possibly be seen in that land. So for two lands that have the same chance to sight the moon, then it is not permissible for them to differ, whether the one causing the difference is Salafee or khalafee [1]! This is because the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said: "Fasting begins on the day you all begin to fast, and Al-Fitr (the 'Eed) is the day when you all have broken your fasts." [2] FOOTNOTES [1] khalafee: a person who chooses to follow the later generations of Muslims as opposed to the early ones [2] Saheeh Sunan At-Tirmithee #697, refer to Silsilatul-Ahaadeethis-Saheehah #224 for a nice discussion of the routes of the hadeeth and some important fiqh points related to it SOURCE This was translated exclusively for www.bakkah.net from a handwritten answer provided by the shaykh, file no. AAWA023, dated 1423/7/20.
******************** سبحانك اللهم وبحمدك أشهد أن لا إله إلا أنت أستغفرك وأتوب إليك
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Moosaa
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Unity When Fasting and on the Day of the 'Eed Imaam Muhammad Naasirud-Deen Al-Albaanee Source: Silsilatul-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah #224 (1/440-445) Translated by Abul-'Abbaas for www.bakkah.net [ In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, may His Salaah and Salaam be upon his final Messenger Muhammad, and upon all his family members and Companions, to proceed... ] Regarding the hadeeth: "Fasting begins on the day you all begin to fast, and Al-Fitr (the 'Eed) is the day when you all have broken your fasts." [1] At-Tirmithee, after mentioning this hadeeth, said, "And some of the people of knowledge explained this hadeeth, saying that fasting and breaking the fast are both to be done along with the main body and majority of the Muslims." And As-San'aanee said, "In it is evidence that proves that agreement of the people is needed for establishing the 'Eed, and that the one who is alone in his knowledge of the moon sighting must go along with the others, and their decision regarding the prayer, the breaking of the fast, and the day of slaughtering is binding on him." [2] And Ibnul-Qayyim, may Allaah have Mercy on him, explained this, saying, "And it has been said (by the people of knowledge) that there is a refutation in this for those who say that a person can fast and break his fast based on calculated estimations, without others having knowledge of this. And it has also been said that if a lone witness sights the moon, and the judge does not accept his sighting (for some reason), then he himself does not begin his fast based on it, nor do the people begin their fasts based on it." [3] And Abul-Hasan As-Sindee, after mentioning the hadeeth of Aboo Hurayrah found in At-Tirmithee's Sunan, said, "And what is apparent from the hadeeth's meaning is that these affairs are not for individuals, it is not for people to act alone in these affairs. Rather, the decision is to be made by the imaam and the main body of Muslims. It is obligatory for all individuals to follow the imaam and the main body of Muslims. So therefore, if one person sees the moon, and the imaam does not accept his testimony, then he has no right to go off on his own in these affairs, rather he must go along with the jamaa'ah." [4] I say (Al-Albaanee): This is what seems to be understood from the hadeeth. This understanding is supported by the way 'Aa'ishah used it (the hadeeth) as a proof against Masrooq when he did not want to fast on the day of 'Arafah, fearing that it may actually be the day of An-Nahr (the 'Eed). She clarified to him that his opinion has no weight, and that he must follow the jamaa'ah. She said, "The Day of An-Nahr ('Eed Al-Adh-haa, the day of slaughtering) is the day the people slaughter, and the Day of ('Eed) Al-Fitr is the day the people break their fasts." I say (Al-Albaanee): And this is what is befitting to the gracious Sharee'ah that seeks to bring the people together and unite their ranks, keeping them away from individual opinions that split their unity. So the Sharee'ah does not give weight to the opinion of an individual regarding acts of community worship like fasting, establishing the day of the 'Eed, and praying in congregation, even when the individual is correct as he sees it. Don't you see that the Companions, may Allaah be pleased with them, used to pray behind each other, while some of them held that touching a woman or bleeding nullifies one's wudhoo', and others did not understand that? And some of them used to pray the entire prayer during their travels and others would shorten theirs? Their differing in these affairs and others did not prevent them from getting together to pray behind one imaam and being conscience of its importance. This is because they knew that division in the Religion is worse than differing over some opinions. Some of them ignored opinions that contradicted the leader's position in great gatherings like the one at Minaa, to the point that they would abandon their own position totally in such a large gathering, to escape the fitnah that might result in their actions based on their position. Aboo Daawood narrated that 'Uthmaan, may Allaah be pleased with him, prayed four rak'ahs (not shortening his prayer) in Minaa. 'Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood detested his action, saying, "I prayed two rak'ahs behind the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), two rak'ahs behind Aboo Bakr, two rak'ahs behind 'Umar, and I used to pray two rak'ahs behind 'Uthmaan in the beginning of his leadership, but then he began to complete the prayer (praying four rak'ahs), and thus the paths became divided. I only wish that I could have two of the four rak'ahs accepted from me." Thereafter, Ibn Mas'ood prayed four rak'ahs! So it was said to him, "You blame 'Uthmaan and then you yourself pray four rak'ahs?!" He replied, "Differing is evil." [5] And Ahmad narrated this exact account on the authority of Aboo Tharr [6], may Allaah be pleased with all of them. So let the Muslims reflect over what is found in this hadeeth and in the other narration mentioned, especially those who never cease to differ over their prayers, those who refuse to follow some imaams of some masjids, especially with regards to Witr Prayer in Ramadhaan, claiming that the imaam is not from their math-hab. And some of those who have knowledge of astronomy even fast by themselves and break the fast by themselves, before or after the main body of Muslims. They give such great weight to their own opinions and knowledge, not paying any mind to their khurooj (rebellion) against the Muslims. So let them all reflect over the knowledge that has proceeded, as they may find a cure to the ignorance and conceit within their selves. Let them join with the united ranks of their Muslim brothers, as the Hand of Allaah is over the jamaa'ah. This article was taken from BAKKAHnet (www.bakkah.net) FOOTNOTES [1] Saheeh Sunan At-Tirmithee #697 [2] Subulus-Salaam (2/72) [3] Tah-theeb As-Sunan (3/214) [4] Haashiyatus-Sindee 'alaa Ibni Maajah (Al-Albaanee did not mention a page number) [5] Sunan Abee Daawood (1/307) with an authentic chain [6] Musnad Imaam Ahmad (5/155)
******************** سبحانك اللهم وبحمدك أشهد أن لا إله إلا أنت أستغفرك وأتوب إليك
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abdulbaasit.malik
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As salaamu alaikum jazakAllaahu khair akh Moosa. I am still unsure of one thing. In your first response from Shaikh Wasee-ullaah it says that one should go according to their region while in the second it said to go with the jama'ah? My question is if their are two groups celebrating eid on two different days and the first one is following the global sighting (for this eid Saudi Arabia) while the second group says that it has not been sighted in this country and also support their stance by astronomical calculations and that it was cloudy. Could you or some one else please elaborate and what should an individual do in such a sitatuation bearing in mind the difference is occuring amongst relatives. I appreciate your time. BarakAllaahu feekum Alaikum salaam Abdulbaasit
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Moosaa
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Before telephones and internet, the Muslims did not have this problem. They would have to fast with the Muslims in their locality and pray the 'Eed with them. If you reflect over Imaam Al-Albaanee's words, he is speaking about the ummah in general, but I do not see anyone using his words to support their opposition of the Muslims in their city. Think about this passage: [ ...Some of them ignored opinions that contradicted the leader's position in great gatherings like the one at Minaa, to the point that they would abandon their own position totally in such a large gathering, to escape the fitnah that might result in their actions based on their position. Aboo Daawood narrated that 'Uthmaan, may Allaah be pleased with him, prayed four rak'ahs (not shortening his prayer) in Minaa. 'Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood detested his action, saying, "I prayed two rak'ahs behind the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), two rak'ahs behind Aboo Bakr, two rak'ahs behind 'Umar, and I used to pray two rak'ahs behind 'Uthmaan in the beginning of his leadership, but then he began to complete the prayer (praying four rak'ahs), and thus the paths became divided. I only wish that I could have two of the four rak'ahs accepted from me." Thereafter, Ibn Mas'ood prayed four rak'ahs! So it was said to him, "You blame 'Uthmaan and then you yourself pray four rak'ahs?!" He replied, "Differing is evil." [5]...] And Allaah knows best. Moosaa
******************** سبحانك اللهم وبحمدك أشهد أن لا إله إلا أنت أستغفرك وأتوب إليك
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Moosaa
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Actually, there are two new factors that make this issue difficult to understand: 1) The telephone and internet, as mentioned, a man will know what is happening right now on the other side of the world. The people before us did not have access to this kind of knowledge. 2) The absence of a khaleefah and thus there is no worldwide Muslim leadership
******************** سبحانك اللهم وبحمدك أشهد أن لا إله إلا أنت أستغفرك وأتوب إليك
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abdulbaasit.malik
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As salaamu alaikum warahmatullaah, barakAllahu feekum, akh Moosa I appreciate you making time and posting this information, jazakAllahu khair. I ask Allah to grant all the Muslims success with that which He loves and is pleased with from speech and actions. Verily our Lord hears the supplications. alaikum salaam Subhaanak Allahumma wa bi Hamdika, Ash Shahadu an Laa ilaaha ilaa anta, Astaghfiruka wa atooboo ilayka. Abdulbaasit
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AbuAbbasAlBukhariy
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Assalamu 'alaykum wa Rahmatullah Question: Should we fast and end our fast according to the sighting of the new moon in Saudi Arabia or should we do it according to the sighting of the new moon in the country where we are? Response: There are as many as six different opinions amongst the scholars concerning this issue. However, there are two main points of view. The first is that everyone should sight the moon in their own country and those countries where the moon rises at the same time should follow them. The reason for this is that the time at which the moon rises, varies from place to place. The second opinion is that the beginning of the new month need only be confirmed in any one of the Muslim countries. If the sighting of the new moon is confirmed in any Muslim country, it is then obligatory for all Muslims to use that sighting to begin the fast of Ramadhaan or end it. According to this last opinion, if the new month is confirmed in Saudi Arabia it is obligatory upon all Muslims, in all parts of the world, to fast if it is the beginning of Ramadhaan and to end their fast if it is the beginning of Shawwaal. This is the most common opinion held by the followers of the madhhab of Imaam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal. However, the first opinion is more correct because of the evidence in the Qur.aan, Sunnah and because of analogy. With regards to the Qur.aan, Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) says: {The month of Ramadaan in which was revealed the Qur.aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever witnesses the month should fast it...}, [Soorah al-Baqarah, Aayah 185]. This last sentence is a conditional sentence, and the ruling contained in a conditional sentence is established for whomever the condition applies to and it is annulled for anyone for whom the condition does not apply. So the sentence: ((Whoever witnesses the month should fast it)) implies that whoever does not witness it does not fast it. It is well known amongst astronomers that the time the moon rises differs from place to place. The moon might be seen in one place and not in another. Therefore, according to the verse, whoever does not see it is not obliged to fast. With regards to the Sunnah, the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) said: ((If you sight it (the new moon of Ramadaan), then fast and if you sight it (the new moon of Shawaal),then end the fast. And if it is obscured from you, then complete thirty days (of Sha'baan))). He (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) said: ((If you sight it)). He therefore linked the ruling to the sighting and if a ruling is linked to an effective cause, then that ruling is annulled in the absence of that cause. With regards to analogy, we say that in as much as the times for beginning the fast and breaking the fast every day vary from place to place so, in the same way, the times for the beginning and ending of the monthly fast also vary. We here in Riyadh, for example, begin our fast every day before the people in Al-Hijaaz and we also break our fast before they do. It is, therefore, obligatory upon us to start fasting while they are still eating. On the other hand, at the end of the day we are eating while they are still fasting. If, therefore, each place has its own ruling due to the variation in the time that the sun rises and sets, the same also applies due to the variation in the time that the moon rises and sets. Therefore, the answer to the question is clear. It is obligatory for you to follow the sighting of the new moon in the place where you are. Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen al-Aqalliyaat al-Muslimah - Page 84, Fatwa No.23 Taken from www.fatwa-online.com wa'alaykum salam Abu Abbas
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AliSomaniAlKanadee
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Walaykumus-Salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. Maashaa'Allaah! Jazakullaahu khairan yaa akhee wa barakullaahu feek.
This message was edited by AliSomaniAlKanadee on 12-10-02 @ 11:14 PM
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abdulbaasit.malik
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As salaamu alaikum warahmatullah Abu Abbas barakAllahu feek, brother in the opinion that you have brought forward there is no mention of the news reaching one through a witness? but it is emphasising that if you sight it then the new month begins if you do not then complete thirty days...? If this is the case then this year most of us here in the UK have erred? wa alaikum salaam ((One who is shy will never gain knowledge, nor one who is proud)). al-Bukhaaree; Mabaahith fee Ahkaam al-Fatwa - Page 25
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AbuAbbasAlBukhariy
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Assalamu 'alaykum wa Rahmatullah Akhee...that is the question which should be asked from Shaykh Fawzan..Shaykh Rabee of others wa'alaykum salam Abu Abbas
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MSbN.Ahmad
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raised Assalaamu'alaykum wa rahmatullaah If any one has more detail about the second opinion mentioned by Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen, rahimahullaah, including any proofs it may give more clariy to this issue, wallaahu A'lam. Jazaakumullaahu khayr.
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reza
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Assalamu Alaikum ! Question about Shahid(acepting witness of sighting) Q. If we attempt to sight it locally and it was not sighted THEN WE RECIEVE INFORMATION FROM A RELIABLE WITNESS for eg Govt of Saudi or Yemen or Maldives has declared Fasting or Eid should we accept the witness as per the Hadeeeth of to accept witness or stick with the people of the locality who announce the sighting. Overhere they call themselves "Jamathul Ulema" who have in them all kind of people Blind followers of shafi madhab, Extreme Hanafis, Tablege is the present President etc.or go with the salafi Bros who compared in number small but establish Ramadhan,Arafah, Eids as per global sighting. (our emphsais is on the case if we recieve reliable message from a witness are we to accept it) reza
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abu.naimah.shamsuddi
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Al-Hamdulillahi Ta'Ala wa salatu wa salamu 'ala Rasulullah Amma ba'd; Salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah; " A person who learns about the sighting of the moon in good time to be able to utilize it for fasting, ending his fast, or sacrifice, must definitely do so. The Texts [of Islam] and the reports from the Salaf point to this. To limit this to a certain distance or country would contradict both the reason and the Shar'[Islamic Law]." Shaikh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah [rahimahullah], Al-Fatawa, 5:111 Some cities in America have many masajid, some masajid in that city follow a national sighting and some masajid in that city follow a global sighting and I sure there are other countries where this same thing happens. In following a global sighting, is only Saudi Arabia's sighting acceptable? I ask becasue only Saudi was mentioned, how about sighting of Egypt or Yemen? And Allah Knows Best. Abu Na'imah Shamsuddin
This message was edited by abu.naimah.shamsuddi on 11-22-03 @ 1:07 AM
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hasan336
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Salaam 'alaykum, I understand fasting and breaking your fast with the Muslims in your area, but what do you do when the majority of Muslims in your area fast or break their fast and it is not based on a trustworthy eyewitness, nor the moon being sighting, nor completing 30 days of Shabaan, nor sighting the moon or completing 30 days of Ramadaan, and not even a lunar calculation that has been generally accepted? What do you do in this case when the fasting and the 'eid of the majority in your city, from what it seems, is based on the hawaa? The Muslims in my area began their fast on the 29 of Shabaan (Friday night) and were abstaining from that which is forbidden during the days of fasting Saturday during the day. To my knowledge, there was no iktilaaf that Friday after Maghreb was the 29th Shabaan. Was Salaam 'alaykum, Abu Muhammad Hasan Grooms
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ibn.khalid
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Wa alaikum as Salaam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh, The situation that you described Hasan is very strange indeed because in my community they either fasted on Sunday or Monday; which is probably the case with the vast majority of the communities in North America. I'm wondering how they justified fasting on that particular day?
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abu.naimah.shamsuddi
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wa alaikum salam wa rahmatullah; Just for information sake, in my area we began fasting on Sunday, October 26th, based on reported global sightings in Egypt & Yemen and reportedly some of the Gulf States and China. Our 29th day of Fasting will be Sunday November 23rd. May Allah Ta'Ala bless and guide the Muslim Ummah. Allah Knows Best. Abu Na'imah Shamsuddin
This message was edited by abu.naimah.shamsuddi on 11-23-03 @ 4:36 AM
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