Saudi depends on Calculations & not on sighting

[Chief Editor, Hijri Committee of India]

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BISMILAAHI   R'RAHMAANI   R'RAHEEM

​Dear Brothers & Sisters

Assalaamu Alaikkum Wa Rahmathullaahi wa Barakaathu hu

The month of Sha'baan 1438 was started on Thursday, which was the correct day as per the moon-phases, at many places of the world, including Saudi Arabia.​

This without any doubt shows that Saudi Arabia starts the new months NOT by sighting the crescent on the West, but purely on calculation or by applying the  setting time differemce of Sun & Moon at Makkah, on the Conjunction Day .

On Wednesday ( 26th April) the Moon set was at 18:47 & Sun set was at 18:44 ie moon set was  after just 3 minutes.  This wafer thin difference, all are aware, is not enough to sight the moon even with a powerful telescope.  But many muslims throughout the world insist that Saudi Arabia always start the new month by naked-eye sighting !! Their assumptions are wrong, Saudi Arabia depends only on calculations.  

The criterion of considering  Moon setting even after a minute of Sun's setting  at Makkah, followed by Saudi Arabia, is not the correct criterion.  It makes them start the new month on the correct day of the week  (the very next day after Conjunction) on some months.  But, on majority of months this criterion gives wrong start for the new month.

To illustrate further, let us analyse the start of Ramdhaan 1438.

This Sha'baan month was started on Thursday and on 29th day, Thursday (25th May) , at Makkah the Sun set will be at  18:56 & Moon will set at 18:35 which is 21 minutes before Sun-set.   So, if Saudi Arabia use their wrong criterion, the Ramdhaan of 1438 will only be started on Saturday.

By doing so,  they will be extending Sha'baan to 30 days  or in other words, shortening the month of Ramdhaan by 1 day or in more clearer words, making muslims lose one day's fast in Ramdhaan !! 

As all are aware lose of one day's fast in Ramdhaan without valid reasons of sickness, travel etc  cannot be compensated fully even if one fasts for the rest of one's life. So, the matter is very serious.

This month of Sha'baan started on Thursday and ends on Thursday  with 29 days, as per the moon=phases.  Anyone observing  the moon on comimng days, at Fajr can see the waning crescent becoming thinner and thinner and coming down closer each day towards the Eastern horizon.  On Wednesday (24th May) one can see the "Al Urjoonal Qadeem" like last visible phase as described in Qur'aan verse 36:39.

On the next day, Thursday, the WANING moon will not be seen from anywhere on the Earth which is the Day of Ghumma (Day of Conjunction.

The new month starts from Fajr of Friday and all Muslims thgroughout the world must fast on that Friday.

Saudi Arabia was following the correct criterion of starting the new month till 1420 while they were following the Original Ummul Qurra calendar.  In the original Ummul Qurrah calendar the Universal Day of Conjuncyion was considered as the last day of a month and  the new month ALWAYS started  from the following day.  

But in 1420, certain  conditions were introduced by Saudi  resulting in , starting / ending of  even four Sacred months as well as the month of Ramdhaan  on incorrect days!!

Tafsir Ibn Kathir in the explanation for verse 71:16 also says that the shaddowing or veiling  of moon shows the passing of the months. In other words, the Day of Conjunction as the last day of a month. Obviously  the new month must  start  from the following day. 

 Hence, we request Saudi authorities to switch back to following Original Ummul Qurrah Calendar in order to avoid mistakes in announcing important Islamic  days like, Day of Arafath, Eidain, Start of Ramdhaan fasting, Ashoora  etc.

If  not they may repeat the mistakes again.

We hereby request Saudi authorities as well as all Muslim leaders to ponder over the severity of erro in  starting this Ramdhaan on Saturday  and to start Ramdhaan fasting from Friday.  We also  request them to   switching back to following Original Ummul Qurrah Calendar,

May Almighty Allaah forgive all our sins and keep all of us in the Right Path. Aameen.

Ma Salaam

For HIJRI COMMITTEE OF INDIA
IRSHAD  SAIT  N. M.  ​(President)​ HIJRI COMMITTEE OF INDIA 7/858 B, AWH Building S. M. STREET KOZHIKODE - 673001. INDIA
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