Moon Sighting Criteria for UK

Posted by Hamza | Posted in Fiqh/Law | Posted on 02-10-2008

Comments

Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.

Bismillah

The following has been taken from the Waqif ul Ulama website and it concerns the sighting of the Hilal

moonsightingimage Moon Sighting Criteria for UK

• All efforts will be made to sight the moon locally, acting upon the clear instruction of our beloved Nabi sallallahu alaihi Wassallam ‘‘don’t fast until you see the new moon, and don’t break it until you see it. If then, there is cloud over you, count in full’ (Sahih Al Bukhari Volume 1 Page 256).

• To achieve this, help, can be taken from the experts in the field of astronomy, but the judgment will never
ever under any circumstances be dependent upon them. The Judgment will always be upon actual sighting

• If there is possibility of a sighting in U.K. (Imkan-e-Ru’yat) at the end of the 29th day after Maghrib, if the moon is on the horizon, all efforts will be made to sight the moon locally.

• If the moon is not sighted in the U.K. then we can accept the sighting of another country to the East of UK or Morocco, On the condition that the actual sighting information is correct, reliable and verified, (Muhaqqaq Ru’yat e Basari) and the Moon sighting criteria followed by that country, is accepted by our Holy Shariah.

• If at the end of the 29th day, there is no possibility of sighting the Moon in the UK. i.e. the Moon is not on the horizon, we will still follow the Sunnah and exhaust all efforts in trying to sight the Moon. However on this occasion, the testimony of one or two witnesses will not be deemed as acceptable, rather, the testimony of a large group will be necessary (Jamme Ghafir) as is the case, when the skies are clear. If this condition does not exist (i.e. if the moon is not sighted anywhere or when there was no possibility of moon being sighted and testimony of a large group is not there), or if we do not receive correct sighting report (Muhaqqaq Ru’yat e Basari) from another country to the East of UK or Morocco then thirty days will be completed for that Month.

“The criteria mentioned is correct and according to Shariah”. Mufti Muhammad Tahir. Fatwa issued by Mazahir ul Uloom Saharanpur 22/2/1428 H

“In sighting the moon locally, and to seek help from the astronomers in such a way that their word is not final, is acceptable” Mufti Ahmad Khanpuri, Darul Iftaa, Jamia Islamia Dabhel. Fatwa issued 6/4/ 1428 H

“The Local Ulamaa should guide the laymen after gathering testimony and proof of Moonsighting according to Shariah. To seek help from the Astronomers and then the Ulamaa deciding in light of the evidences present staying within the limits of the Shariah is correct, rather better”. Mufti Mahmood Balandshahri, Darul uloom Deoband. Fatwa issued 20/02/1428 H

“There is nothing wrong in seeking help from the astronomers for possibility of sighting or for finding out the age of the moon” Darul Iftaa, Jamia Farooqia, Karachi Fatwa issued 19/04/1428.

“What is decided is, that if one is not dependent on the astronomers only, rather on actual sighting, then there is no difference of opinion on using astronomy as a tool or help”. Darul Iftaa Jamia Al Rasheed. Fatwa issued 01/06/1428 H

“Help could be taken from the observatory as to whether there is the possibility of sighting or not? Although the decision will be based on actual sighting”. Aap kay Masaail awr un ka Hal. Vol 3 Pg 262. Movlana Muhammad Yusuf Ludhyanwi Shaheed R.A.

It is Wajib Alal Kifaayah to make the effort to sight the moon locally. Fat hul Qadeer Vol 2 Pg 242, Maraaqi ul Falah Pg 354

I have gone through the write-up about sighting the moon in U.K. The principles explained therein are correct. Justice Muhammad Taqi Usmani. Thursday, September 27, 2007

The above are only extracts from detailed fatawa the Wifaq ul Ulama have received. These can be obtained in full from their website: www.wifaqululama.co.uk Vitesse House, Estate Way, London, E10 7JW