In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciufl, the Ever-Merciful…
Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan (may Allaah preserve him) stated:
Astronomical calculations are the work of humans, they could be correct or mistaken, as for the sighting of the moon, then this is based on Prophetic evidence.
Mr. Ali Al-Moosa wrote a piece in the Al-Watan newspaper (published) on 1433/9/11, entitled: ‘This is not from the Unseen Matters’ as a critique of my statements in which I commented on what has been spread by some astronomers – that it was impossible for the new moon to have been sighted on Friday night this year (1433).
I stated that this was a ruling passed on future events which none knows except Allah. Indeed what occurred is at variance with what they said – The new moon was in fact sighted on that night, and all praises are due to Allaah, though they claimed it was impossible for it to be sighted.
As for the statement of the writer in the previously mentioned article, that astronomical calculations are a kind of sure knowledge, we say, brother Ali, that the orbit of the celestial bodies in and of itself does not err because it from the pre-ordainment of the All Mighty, All Knowing. Rather it is the calculations of man regarding those (celestial bodies) that are mistaken, as has happened this year, and all praises are due to Allaah. This mistake is not attributed to the movement of the celestial bodies, rather it is attributed to the work of man, because he is not infallible.
As for the writer’s words in which he digressed with the issue of the greatness of astronomical calculations, I do not see any benefit in entering into a debate with him about it because others have mentioned this before. The issue is not an issue of calculations, it is a Religious issue that has been decided by the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) when he said:
“Begin your fasting based on your sighting of it (the new moon) and end it based on your sighting of it, and if it is obscured then count thirty days for Sha’baan.” [al-Bukhaaree & Muslim]
So the correct calculation does not contradict the Religion, and there is no scope for argumentation, since this a Religious issue in which the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) has given a ruling. I do not see any benefit in prolonging this discussion, and all praises are due to Allaah.
Written by: Shaykh Saalih bin Fowzaan Al-Fowzaan
Member of the Board of Senior Scholars (1433/9/11)
Arabic Source: http://alfawzan.af.org.sa/node/14052
Translated by: Nassar M. Hussain
Edited by: Moosaa Richardson
Assalamu allaikum
To end all the problems, why don’t the people who have been give the task to sight the moon be highlighted, documented, interviewd, make videos at the time of sighting post the videos put on the media to the whole muslim ummah. Problem Solved
wa alaykas-salaam, honestly there isn’t a problem in the first place, only propaganda, and the Muslims have an easy Religion that does not overburden them. Beginning Ramadhan with just, upright Muslim witnesses who report a crescent sighting is what Allah has legislated in His perfect Religion, and as Muslims we are pleased with Allah as our Lord and Islam as our Religion!
Asalam alaekum waramotullah wabarakatul, According above discussion alhamdulilah cause the prophet SWA have already mention such in our religion and there is no need for prolonging anything cause we all accept the word of the prophet which means wa accept the word of Allah. {Whoever follow Allah have follow the peophet according quran stated}. Ma salam
wa alaykumus-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. Thanks for the comment brother. Please review this important article.
Masha Allah. May Allah increase our scholars in shedding light on the truth, and also make them end on islam. May Allah forgive us our shortcomings.
Its hundren percent what sheikh Fauzan said about sighting of the new moon, most of muslims they go wrong when saying according to the weather the new moon will not be sighted, but who told them that while Allah knows well when will it be sighted.
So muslims please do not interfear with Allahs programs.
Thanks and may Allah bless and guide us to the rightesousness. Ameen!
Aslamualikum wa rahmatullah….
Masha ALLAH! Alhamdulillah…..
A fitting reply to the people of innovation who has been arguing this and wasting time for a long time. May ALLAH give hidayath to all who have doubt on this subject.
Dear respected visitors, (wa alaykumus-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wabarakaatuh)
It is very clear that so many of you really appreciate this article, wal-hamdulillaah. Many of you have replied with comments thanking us and making du’aa’ for Shaykh al-Fowzaan. While we do appreciate all of this, our policy on comment approval is that we want comments that add some academic value to the material, ask important follow-up questions, or correct mistakes. May Allaah bless you for understanding.
Comment approval is limited to this topic only. This is not a discussion board for open dialogue on all matters related to moon sightings. This is an article correcting the mistake of rejecting eye witnesses based on calculations. Issues of how a person’s witness is or should be accepted, local or global moon sightings, or other moon sighting related issues are considered off-topic, and thus will not be approved. We thank our honored guests for their patience and understanding. May Allaah bless you.
Aslamualai kum wa rahmatullah
Thank you for this article. But there is something I need to know that has been bugging me for a while. If the moon is not sighted in one particular country, then is it permissable to go along with a neigbouring muslim country with regards to moon sighting or count full 30 days of Sha’baan?
wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Here is a similar question about Muslims in one place differing over the beginning and end of Ramadhan, answered by Shaykh Wasee Allaah ‘Abbaas (may Allaah preserve him): http://www.bakkah.net/interactive/q&a/aawa023.htm – I hope it helps. Also: Unity on the Day of the ‘Eed by Shaykh Al-Albaanee (may Allaah have Mercy on him): http://www.bakkah.net/articles/eedunity.htm
Jazakkallahu khair admin. From the above comment it is understood (for me) to follow the imam or the authority of the country. What to do if the salafs (following quran and sunnah upon the understanding of pious predecessors) in a country follows global moon sighting while the authority (that oppose salaf) made by a non-muslim government follows local moon sighting.
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله
Dear brother, a friend of mine told me that the moon was sighted wrongly in Saudi Arabia last year, and the government ordered through newspaper that a day of fasting be observed at a later date to rectify the mistake.
Please clarify if the above is true.
جزاك الله خيرا و بارك الله فيك
وعليك السلام ورحمة الله
https://www.bakkah.net/en/the-28-day-ramadan-mistake-and-the-high-judiciary-council-of-saudi-arabia.htm
asalamalykum,
i live in ***** and from quite some time i see that mosques here pray fajr at wrong time before its entrance according to calculated timetables following 18 degree angle.
Some people defend it saying the lights prevent the visibility of fajr and if we go out to the remote area we would see it match the calculated times, but i highly doubt this since i myself live in a suburb area.
Fajr is actually being prayed (and the athan given even much before that) about 15 to 20 minutes before it can be clearly seen in the sky with all the lights. if lights did have an effect then should be a maximum of 5 to 10 minutes of difference and not so much.
And this can be confirmed if fajr time is calculated using 12 degree angle.
what do we do in this case ? should we pray fajr with congregation and then repeat at home?
jazakallah kheir.
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuh. If you live in a Muslim country, take your concern to the scholars and authorities. Any mistake in prayer times is an issue that needs rectified for all the people. May Allah give you success.
How do we understand these narrations in sahih bukhari which seem to show fajr prayed early before its time ?
1- Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah’s Apostle (SallAllaahu `Alayhi Wa Sallam) offered the Fajr prayer when it was still dark, then he rode and said, ‘Allah Akbar! khaibar is ruined. When we approach near to a nation, the most unfortunate is the morning of those who have been warned.” The people came out into the streets saying, “Muhammad and his army.” Allah’s Apostle vanquished them by force and their warriors were killed; the children and women were taken as captives. Safiya was taken by Dihya Al-Kalbi and later she belonged to Allah’s Apostle who married her and her Mahr was her manumission.
2- Narrated Abu Al-Minhal: Abu barza said, “The Prophet used to offer the Fajr (prayer) when one could recognize the person sitting by him (after the prayer) and he used to recite between 60 to 100 Ayat (verses) of the Qur’an. He used to offer the Zuhr prayer as soon as the sun declined (at noon) and the ‘Asr at a time when a man might go and return from the farthest place in Medina and find the sun still hot. (The sub-narrator forgot what was said about the Maghrib). He did not mind delaying the ‘Isha prayer to one third of the night or the middle of the night.”
3- Narrated ‘Aisha: Allah’s Apostle used to offer the Fajr prayer and some believing women covered with their Veiling sheets used to attend the Fajr prayer with him and then they would return to their homes unrecognized.
These narrations describe praying Fajr in its earliest time, “bi-ghalas” (بغلس), when it is still dark. Ghalas is the darker, earlier time of Fajr, before any glow of dawn spreads and begins providing significant light to see the way, not the absolute darkness of night.
Refer to: Classes 22-25 of this “Umdat al-Ahkaam” (Fiqh of Hadeeth) course: https://www.spreaker.com/show/umdat-al-ahkaam
Assalamu-alikum,
Subhanallah, in my non-muslim country the muslim area i live in, i see masjid doing a similar thing which is praying fajr according to calculated tables when it is not clearly visible and sky is still dark.
I don’t know if ghalas would have entered and whether it is being masked by the artificial lights at that time.
The masjid is not really upon sunnah and they have aversion to people of sunnah and so i fear they likely won’t take advice or deal unjustly if i request them to pray when fajr is absolutely visible even with lights.
In this case should i do what appears to be safest – which is pray with them and then repeat fajr at home ?
or do i need to actually go about first establishing the exact time of ghalas and then deciding my next course of action.
if so, how do i establish the exact time of ghalas in this situation which involves the lights?
please guide me in this.
May Allah reward you.
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Those responsible for the affairs of the masjid can check the prayer schedules for accuracy by going a short distance outside of the city, where you are not affected by the lights of the city, go to a flat area, preferably be upon a hilltop or at the top of a building, on a clear night, so you can see the [sunrise-side of the] horizon clearly, and watch carefully for the false fajr, and then the true fajr comes shortly after that. Don’t be influenced by any prayer schedule, meaning: Do not try to make one schedule right or another wrong, just look for the first observable light of true dawn, and that is the time for Fajr. For the most accurate results, do this a few times throughout the year, as many days as possible.
IMPORTANT: This is not for everyone to do, resulting in clashing opinions and argumentation at the masjid. This is done by community leaders who can make an adjustment if necessary, without disrupting the community!
Even if they did truly pray the prayer outside of its time, then the Sunnah is to pray with them to preserve the unity, and you make your intention to offer an optional prayer, and you pray the obligatory prayer at home in its time. Subhaan Allah, many of us do not understand how serious the matter is! Look at the narration collected by al-Imaam Muslim in his Saheeh, about imaams who establish the prayer outside of its legislated time:
«صل الصلاة لوقتها، فإن أدركتها معهم، فصل، فإنها لك نافلة»
“Pray the prayer in its time, and if you can pray it with them (the congregation), then pray it, it would be an optional prayer for you.”
And Allah knows best!