there debate about moonsighting – and the validity (and ubiquity) of calculations

Last updated on: June 28, 2014 at 3:40 am by Aziz Poonawalla

there debate about moonsighting – and the validity (and ubiquity) of calculations 2014-06-28T03:40:16-06:00 Aziz Poonawalla

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Every year the debate about moonsighting begins anew as Ramadan approaches. I’d like to highlight a point and counterpoint between myself and Irfan Rydhan that I think covered the debate very thoroughly for everyone’s reference.

First, an excerpt from Irfan’s entry, which argues that all muslims should adopt moonsighting to establish Ramadan:

In our modern world with digital clocks, calendars, daylight savings time, etc. we forget that these are all man-made systems to help us organize our busy day to day lives, but in reality a real day is not 24 hours, but 23 hours and 56 minutes. We are programmed to eat, sleep and work at certain times every day. But our religious and spiritual lives cannot be forced into a set man-made calendar. We cannot control everything. Just like we cannot control when we are born or when we die. And that is the whole point of going out and looking for the new crescent moon. We do not know for sure if we will be able to see it. […]

I for one would rather be united in following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (S) and go out and look for the new moon to reconnect with nature and remember that Allah is the creator of the universe and in control of this world; Not a calendar on my refrigerator which I printed from a website.

And then, an excerpt from my response, which argues that calculation is as valid as moonsighting:

There is indeed a romantic appeal in the notion of unity, and I wholeheartedly agree with my brother about the feeling of wonderment and awe when seeing the crescent moon in the sky. But why only the crescent moon? During Ramadan, the very act of looking at the moon, as it grows to full and then wanes again, is itself ibadat – for it is the visible, God-appointed marker of our brief window in which our pious actions are magnified. Ramadan’s very mortality is measured by the moon every day of the month, not just the first. I believe that our imaan is magnified not just by seeking the moon at the outset, but reflecting (no pun intended) on the meaning of the moon’s entire cycle. The precision of the calendar is not a false creation of man, but itself is a reflection of the perfection of Creation, the divinity of Mathematics, and of the vast and awe-inspiring celestial harmony that surrounds us and exists, arguably, for our sole benefit. I am humbled by the moon every day in Ramadan.

And if we are to celebrate unity, as I agree we should, then let us note that there is also unity for those who observe the calendar. Those of us who abide by the calendar begin and end Ramadan worldwide in unison, akin to the unity of praying salaat behind an imam.

I should clarify that whereas Irfan’s piece makes the call for all Muslims to adopt moonsighting, mine does not call for all Muslims to adopt calculation. Instead I celebrate the diversity of how Muslims approach this question of fiqh.

Both of these pieces deserve a read in full!

Uncategorized

Previous Post

April 10, 2014

Ayaan Hirsi Ali is an Islamophobe who hates all muslims

Next Post

October 11, 2015 Sustenance for the Soul: The Global Food Initiative of His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Aziz For America Uncategorized

Select a Month December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 August 2018 July 2018 April 2018 November 2017 October 2017 July 2017 June 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 July 2016 June 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 June 2014 April 2014 March 2014 September 2013 July 2013 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What spice was brought by the wise men to Jesus?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Pepper Cinnamon Myrrh Mint