Sharia and Moon Sighting and Calculation Examining Moon Sighting Controversy in Nigeria

Al-Ahkam, Vol 30 No 2 (2020): 215-252
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21580/ahkam.2020.29.2.5635
Copyright © 2020 al-Ahkam
Sharia and Moon Sighting and Calculation Examining Moon

Sighting Controversy in Nigeria
Abdulmajeed Bolade Hassan-Bello

University of Uyo - Nigeria
email: boladebello@yahoo.com
Abstracts
This paper aims to explain the problem of new moon confirmation which is a severe
problem in Nigeria. Besides, this paper also offers solutions to solve these problems.
Information and data are obtained through tracking literature and then analyzing it.
Global and regional appearances are debatable among scholars. Still, they agree in terms
of the start of the month of Ramaḍān which depends on the physical appearance of the
crescent moon or the completion of the month Sha’bān s30 days. This paper concludes
that Muslims accept Science and Technology to be used to help see the new moon as a
compliment, not as an alternative. However, the controversy over the sighting of the
moon in Nigeria is not particularly religious, so it will continue as long as the country
continues its religious politics and religious politics.
Keywords: ‘Arafah day; Eid al-Adha; global moon sighting; moon sighting; regional
moon sighting physical
[]
Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk menjelaskan masalah konfirmasi hilal yang merupakan
masalah serius di Nigeria. Salain itu, tulisan ini juga menawarkan solusi memecahkan
masalah tersebut. Informasi dan data diperoleh melalui pelacakan literatur kemudian
menganalisisnya. Penampakan global dan regional menjadi perdebatan di antara pada
sarjana, namun mereka sekata dalam hal permulaan bulan Ramaḍān yang tergantung
pada penampakan fisik bulan sabit atau sempurnanya bulan Sha’bān s30 hari. Tulisan
ini menyimpulkan bahwa Muslim menerima Sains dan Teknologi untuk digunakan
dalam membantu melihat bulan baru sebagai pelengkap, bukan sebagai alternatif.
Namun, kontroversi tentang penampakan bulan di Nigeria tidak terlalu bersifat religius,
sehingga akan terus berlanjut selama negara tersebut melanjutkan politik agama dan
politik agama.
Kata Kunci: hari Arafah; Idul Adha; global moon sighting; moon sighting; regional
moon sighting physical
AL-AHKAM Vol 30 No. 2, Oktober 2020 ║215

p-ISSN: 0854-4603; e-ISSN: 2502-3209
Introduction
In the classical Arabic language, the word "crescent" (hilāl) is defined as,
“the first light of the moon, when people see the crescent at the outset of a
month.”1 “Hilāl (crescent) is the initial light of the moon that appears up until
three days.”2 Thus, “hilāl” (Crescent) denotes, “the moon specifically on the first
and second night”; after that, it is simply called “moon” (qamar).3 “The crescent
was born” (halla-yahillu-hilāl) means "it appeared", the crescent, therefore, is
"the new moon when people see it."4 The crescent moon is something that is
seen. It is a physical phenomenon that upon seeing it people tend “to cry for
joy,” halla, which means “to appear; to begin to shine, as the new moon; to
exclaim; to exult; to sing; to rejoice; to praise or worship God.”5
The debate over confirming the hilāl is an old one dating back to the
second century of the Islamic era. The debate intensified in the second half of
the last century as many Muslim scholars became concerned about the
inconsistency of sighting reports and the fragmentation of Muslim
communities over the determination of the first day of Ramaḍān and the two
Eids. The controversy is on whether establishing the start and end of the lunar
months through physical moon sighting the only valid opinion or use of
Astronomical Calculations as an alternative is valid in Islamic Jurisprudence is
the bone of contention.6 However, the debate over the determination of the
birth of the new crescent (hilāl) has taken a new urgency in North America
after the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) announced, the use of
calculation for establishing the beginning of the Islamic lunar month. The
ruling established astronomical calculations as the sole criteria for deciding the
birth of the new crescent. Thus for the first time, we come face to face with the
1 Al-Khalīl ibn Aḥmad al-Farāhīdī, Kitāb al-‘Ayn, vol. IV (Beirūt: Dār Al-Kutub Al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2003),
320.
2 Ismā’īl Ḥaqqī al-Barūsuwī, Tanwīr al-Adhhān min Tafsīr Rūh al-Bayān, vol. I (Damascus: Dār al-
Qalam, 1988), 148.

3 Abū al-Qāsim al-Ḥusain al-Rāghīb al-Iṣfaḥanī, al-Mufradāt fī Gharīb al-Qur’ān (Damascus: Dār al-
Qalam, 1992), 843.

4 Muḥammad Ibn Mukram Ibn Manẓūr, Līsan al-‘Arab, vol. II (Beirūt: Dār al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah,
1993), 693.
5 Hamza Yusuf, ‘Cesarean Moon Births’, n.d.
6 Omar El-Banna, ‘Moon Sighting Explained’, n.d.
216 ║ Vol 30, No 2, Oktober 2020 AL-AHKAM

Sharia and Moon Sighting …
prospect of confirming the beginning of Ramaḍān and Eids without the

recurring hassle and flare.7
The debate over how the new Islamic lunar month is to be decided
transcends beyond just that of a debate in favour of one method over the other,
and the transition from moon sighting to the astronomical calculation is more
than a transition from one juristic (fiqh) position to another. The debate is,
indeed, about how to read Islamic sources, and how to relate Islamic precepts
to contemporary society. The transition is about the ability of contemporary
Muslim scholars to reclaim the authority of independent judgment (ijtihād)
truly, and hence build on the knowledge and achievements of early scholarship
to reach better-grounded consensus (ijmā’).8 FCNA's ruling in favour of using
the astronomical calculation for determining the beginning of the Muslim lunar
month provoked a strong response, and the American Muslim community
continues to be divided over this issue. Scholars on the two sides of the divide
present arguments rooted in Islamic traditions, and often support their views
by citing the same Qur’anic and Prophetic sources, or by referring to
statements by early Muslim scholars. It does not take much for an observer to
realize that the division and disagreements are not about the sources
themselves, but about the interpretations and rationalizations of those sources.
The division is between scholars who emphasize the apparent meaning of the
text (ẓāhir) and those who emphasize its intended meaning and purpose
(maqāṣid).9
In Nigeria, the issue of moon sighting has been a severe problem of
observing the two Muslim Festivals for so many years. It has been a source of
controversy among scholars, (‘Ulamā’) and other members of the society.10
The problem includes the fact that despite the official announcement of the
sighting of the crescent most Nigerians do not go by the official
announcements, and Organized system of monitoring the moon is wanting.
Sha'bān and Ramaḍān have had 29 days each in the past 40 years while
7 Louay Safi, ‘Reading, Sighting, and Calculating’, n.d.
8 Safi.
9 Safi.
10 Mustapha Isa Qasim, ‘The Position of Salatul-Id- Al-Adha in Nigeria on Arafat Day in Saudi
Arabia’, International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field 2, no. 11 (2016): 458–
61.
AL-AHKAM Vol 30, No 2, Oktober 2020 ║ 217

Shawwāl and Dhūl Qa’dah have had 30 days each but only in Nigeria. Thus,
Nigeria leads the world in moon sighting. This has led to a dichotomy, that is,
some follow the announcements with absolute loyalty; and those that reject
such announcements. Whereas the former maintain that they are following
their leaders, as dictated by the Sharia, the latter believe that the leaders are
wrong and, therefore, should not be followed.11
This paper is an attempt to throw more light on this perennial problem
and to offer suggestions based on the views of ‘Ulamā’ on how to solve the
problem. The paper is primarily, sharia study; thus, a prime method for
collecting information has been the textual analysis of primary sources of
Sharia, the Qur'an, Sunnah and Islamic jurisprudence materials. The opinion of
the four famous Sunni schools, namely the Ḥanafī, Mālikī, al-Shāfi'ī and Ḥanbalī
are referred to in most cases. Academic works of modern Muslim jurists and
thinkers and other journals were also extensively consulted. Thus, the paper is
divided into six sections. The first section provides a brief introduction to the
paper, and it describes the definition of hilāl (crescent). The second examines
the Islamic law on Moon Sighting and Calculation. In the third section, the main
subject of the paper, i.e., Jurists’ opinions on determining the beginning and
end of Ramaḍān, and all related matters, is tackled. This includes a thorough
discussion concerning the regional sighting, sighting anywhere in a country, a
physical sighting anywhere globally, Mecca time-point for reference (as the
Ḥajj is there, and some assert that since anyone wishing to make the
pilgrimage must follow Saudi Arabia for the Ḥajj determination, it logically
follows to include Ramaḍān as well, especially since Saudi Arabia is the only
country in the world that still uses a lunar calendar for its day to day
scheduling and Astronomical Calculation. The fourth section focuses the
controversies on the Moon sighting dilemma in Nigeria. The fifth section deals
with the discussion of the subject. The paper is concluded in section six with a
conclusion as well as suggestions that cover all the discussion of the preceding
five chapters.
11 Usman H Dukku, ‘Friday Discourse: The Problem of Moon Sighting in Nigeria: The Way Out’, n.d.

The Islamic law on Moon Sighting and Calculation

The Qur’an declares that the months with God are twelve lunar months.
“Surely the months with God are twelve in the book of God since the day He
created the heavens and the earth; four of them are sacred” (Surah al-Tawbah:
36). Al-Nasafi explains the meaning of this verse. He said: “This verse is to
clarify that the legal rulings in Sharia are to be determined by lunar months
that are calculated by the crescent moons irrespective of the solar calendar.”12
Thus, the Qur’an commands Muslims to use the lunar month for their
devotional matters, but not necessarily their worldly affairs. Ibn al-‘Arabi
explains this, commenting on the verse, “They ask you about the crescent
moons; say they are a means to measure your specific times (mawāqīt) and are
also for the commencement of the ḥajj”(Surah al-Baqarah: 189). He said: “God
has made the sun and moon two of His signs, for two benefits: one worldly, which
is the solar calendar, and the other religious, which is based upon the lunar.”13
Since two major obligatory acts of devotion and many minor
recommended ones have designated times throughout the year, the lunar
months have been given to specify those times. The actual word used for
“specific times” is mawāqīt, and is derived from the Arabic word waqt, which
means “time.”14 The difference between the word waqt and the other Arabic
word for time, zamān, mudda, is that zamān is absolute time mudda, is period,
a period; duration15 And it refers to the movements of the celestial orbs that
indicate it from their starting point to their finishing point. So zamān is the
division of time into past, present, and future, whereas waqt is zamān when it
specifies a point that is for some specific affair.”16 Thus, the crescent moons
were designated for determining specific times within the flow of time. An
intriguing aspect of the verse mentioned above is that it was revealed in
response to those who asked the Prophet s about the crescents, and they were
12 ‘Abdullāh Ibn Aḥmad Al-Nasafī, Tafsīr al-Nasafī, vol. I (Beirūt: Dār al-Qalam al-Ṭayyib, 1998),
678.
13 Abū Bakr Ibn Al-‘Arabī, Aḥkām al-Qur’ān, vol. I (Beirūt: Dār Al-Kutub Al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2003), 140.
14 J. Milton Cowan, ed., The Hans Wehr Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic (New Delhi: Modern
Language Services, 1994), 1087.

15 Cowan, The Hans Wehr Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic.
16 Muḥammad ibn Muṣṭafā Abū Su’ūd, Irshād al-‘Aql al-Sālim ilā Mazāyā al-Qur’ān al-Karīm, vol. I
(Beirūt: Dār Iḥyā’ al-Turāth al-‘Arabī, 1994), 203.

seeking to understand the actual mechanism, that is, the science of the crescent.
They wanted to know how the moon did what it was doing. However, the
Qur'anic response enlightened them that more important than their question
of how is why. This is the essential difference between science and religion and
is summed up in this one momentous verse of the Qur'an. The verse
immediately following their question, and God's reply is, "Do not enter houses
through their back doors." Some commentators understood that to mean, "Ask
the right question: why not how." The word in English for the month is derived
from the moon. The earliest human calendars are lunar, and it was through
lunar calendars and the human need to determine time's progression,
especially the passage of the year itself, that led to the development of
mathematics. This purpose is clearly stated in verse, "It is God who made the
sunshine and the moon glow, and determined the lunar phases that you may
know the number of years and calculation" (Surah Yūnus: 5).
According to Ibn ‘Abbās and others, ‘That you may know the number of
years and calculation (ḥisāb),’ was interpreted to mean that the mansions
(manāzil) of the moon provided man's ability to calculate which phase of the
month he was in, thus enabling him to measure his days, given that there are
twenty-eight phases of the month determined by the lunar mansions. On the
twenty-ninth, the moon disappears for a day or two only to re-emerge as a
newborn crescent. However, it also implies that the challenge of measuring
time gave the man an impetus to learn and develop mathematics (ḥisāb) and
by extension science. Hence, the sun and the moon following exact courses
enabled humanity to follow them and through doing so increase our
knowledge of science.17
Jurists’ Opinions on Determining the Beginning and end of

Ramaḍān
In reality, there are several positions on moon sighting. The most
prominent ones include regional sighting, sighting anywhere in a country, a
physical sighting anywhere globally, Mecca time-point for reference (as the
Ḥajj is there, and some assert that since anyone wishing to make the
pilgrimage must follow Saudi Arabia for the Ḥajj determination, it logically
17 Yusuf, ‘Cesarean Moon Births’.

follows to include Ramaḍān as well, especially since Saudi Arabia is the only
country in the world that still uses a lunar calendar for its day to day
schedule.18 And Astronomical Calculation.
Regional moon sighting physically
According to this opinion if the crescent is physically sighted within the
boundaries of a particular region, then the lunar month has started. Any
reports of sighting that come from outside the boundaries of the region are
irrelevant and do not affect the start or end of the month. This is the Mu’tamad
Fatwā (the legal ruling of the School) of the Al-Shāfi’ī School. al-Nawāwī, the
renowned al-Shāfi’ī authority, observes:
If the Moon was sighted in a locality and not seen in the others, then
the sighting will apply to the close by areas only. There is no difference
of opinion regarding this issue. The difference is only regarding the far
away areas. There are two known opinions about this matter. The
correct of the two opinions is that people are not obligated to go with
the sighting of another locality.19
Some of the Ḥanafī jurists such as Al-Zayla’ī and many others have adopted
the local sighting (instead of universal sighting) because the sighting confirms
the month (of Ramaḍān). The sighting in one locality cannot be applied upon
the other areas with different horizons. It is just like the noon and Sunset
timings. The Sunset timings in one locality would not require the Maghrib
prayer at the other locality.20
Ibn ‘Abidīn argues that the fact that horizons are different cannot be
debated. The difference in the noon and Sunset timings at different localities
bring differences. Every second, with the westward movement of the Sun,
there is morning for a new locality and evening for some others.21 Al-Zayla’ī
prefers local sighting due to the same reasons. He said:
It is more like to be considered because every people are addressed by
what they have. And the separation of the crescent from the sunbeam
18 Yusuf.
19 Abū Zakariyyā Muḥyiddīn Yaḥyā ibn Sharf al-Nawawī, Al-Majmū’ Sharḥ al-Muhadhdhab, vol. VI
(Jeddah: Maktabah al-Irshād, n.d.), 280.

20 ‘Uthmān ibn ‘Alī al-Zayla’ī, Tabyīn al-Ḥaqā’iq Sharḥ Kanz al-Daqā’iq, vol. I (Beirūt: Dār al-Kitāb al-
Islamī, 2009), 316.

21 Muḥammad Āmīn Ibn ‘Ābidīn, Radd al-Mukhtār ‘alā Durr al-Mukhtār, vol. III (Riyāḍ: Dār ‘Alam
al-Kutub, 2003), 363.

varies by different diameters as the entry and exit of time is occupied

by different diameters.22
The proof for this opinion is the famous ḥadīth of Kurayb who reported
that Umm al-Faḍl Binti al-Ḥarīth sent him to Mu'awiya in Al‐Sham; he said: "I
arrived in Al‐Sham and did business for her (Umm al-Faḍl Binti al-Ḥarīth). It
was there in Al‐Sham that the month of Ramaḍān commenced. I saw the new
moon of Ramaḍān on Friday. I then came back to Medina at the end of the
month. Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbās asked me about the new moon of Ramaḍān and
said: "When did you see it?" I said: "We saw it on the night of Friday," He said:
“Did you see it yourself?" I said: "Yes, and the people also saw it and observed the
fast and Mu'awiya also observed the fast”; after that, he said: "But we saw it on
Saturday night, so we will continue to observe fast till we complete thirty (fasts)
or we see it (the new moon of Shawwāl)." I said: "Is the sighting of the moon by
Mu'awiya not valid for you?" He said: "No, this is how the Prophet has
commanded us”.23 Thus, the report of Kurayb is the indisputable evidence of
the local sighting.24
The argument is based upon the fact that Ibn ‘Abbās did not act upon the
sighting report from Syria. Ibn ‘Abbās, in conclusion, said that this was what
the Prophet (PBUH) had commanded us. This proves that the Prophet (PBUH)
did not obligate Muslims to go by the sighting report of other localities and that
was what Ibn ‘Abbās had narrated from the Prophet.25
Scholars who approve of this opinion differed on the criteria that define the
boundaries of a particular region. Some scholars thought that the boundaries
of a region should depend on the travel distance (82 KM approximately).
Others said that what should be considered is the difference in horizons
(Ikhtilāf al-Matāli’), thus if two regions usually vary in their sightings of the
crescent, then a report of sighting in one of them should not affect the other.
The third group of scholars led by Ibn Majshūn, a prominent Mālikī jurist said
that regions should depend on the Imam's authority (head of Islamic state) so
22 Al-Zayla’ī, Tabyīn al-Ḥaqā’iq Sharḥ Kanz al-Daqā’iq.
23 Muḥammad Ibn ‘Alī Al-Shawkānī, Nayl al-Awṭār, vol. IV (Cairo: Maktabah Dār Turāth, 1965),
194.
24 Zulfiqar Ali Shah, ‘The Astronomical Calculations and Ramadan: A Fiqhi Discourse’,
International Institute of Islamic Thought, 2009.

25 ‘Abd al-Raḥmān al-‘Aẓīm Abadī, ‘Awn al-Ma’būd Sharḥ ‘alā Sunan Abī Dāwud (Beirūt: Dār Ibn
Ḥazm, 2005), 1090.

if the Imam announces the start of the lunar month, then all cities under his
authority should accept.26
Global moon sighting
The early Ḥanafī, Mālikī, Ḥanbalī and some al-Shāfi’ī jurists strongly
believed in the unity of horizons. They obligated fasting for the entire Ummah
in case of actual sighting in any Muslim city or country. They went so far as
claiming that the Prophetic commandment itself required such fasting.27
Encyclopedia of Fiqh stated:
“According to Ḥanafī, Mālikī, Ḥanbalī (and according to one report from
the al-Shāfi’ī school of thought), no consideration is given to the diversity
of horizons in regards to confirming the month of Ramaḍān. The entire
Muslim world is obligated to begin fasting if the new Moon is sighted
anywhere in the world. This is in line with the Prophetic tradition “start
fasting by seeing the new Moon.” The ḥadīth is addressed to the entire
Muslim nation.”28
The common understanding is that according to this opinion, the world is
considered as one region. Thus if the crescent is sighted anywhere in the
world, all the Muslim Ummah should start the lunar month. This is the
Mu’tamad Fatwā in the Ḥanafī, Mālikī, and Ḥanbalī schools. The renowned
Ḥanafī jurist Al-Nasafī said: “Month of Ramaḍān is established with the sighting
of its crescent and different horizons is not considered.”29
Ibn Nujaym from Ḥanafī School said: “The correct view of our companions is
that, if the report of a sighting of the moon is extensive and verified among the
people of the other town, all must be abide by the rule of that town”.30 ‘Uthmān
Ibn ‘Alī al-Zayla’ī reporting the position of the Ḥanafī school states:
“The authorized position of the school is that sighting in one city is
sighting for all. It will become incumbent upon the inhabitants of the
Eastern hemisphere to confirm the month by sighting in the West. The
majority of (Ḥanafī) elders do not consider the diversity of horizons so
26 Al-Shawkānī, Nayl al-Awṭār.
27 Shah, ‘The Astronomical Calculations and Ramadan: A Fiqhi Discourse’.
28 Kuwait Ministry of Religious Affairs and Awqaf, ‘al-Mawsū‘ah al-Fiqhiyyah (Encyclopedia of
Fiqh)’ (Kuwait: Ministry of Religious Affairs and Awqaf, 1992), 142.

29 ‘Abdullāh Ibn Aḥmad al-Nasafī, Kanz Daqā’iq fī al-Fiqh al-Ḥanafī (Beirūt: Dār al-Baṣīr, 2011),
219–20.
30 Zayn al-Dīn Ibn Ibrāhīm Ibn Nujaym, Al-Baḥr al-Rā’iq Sharḥ Kanz al-Daqā’iq (Beirūt: Dār al-
Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1997), 471.

much so that they require making up for a day of fasting if people of one
locality fasted for thirty days and the other locality for 29 days.”31
Ibn Jusay from the Mālikī School said:
“The report of a sighting of Ramaḍān crescent in any locality is binding
on others, whether the place of sighting is close or far from them. Thus,
those who have not seen the new Moon come under the ruling of those
who have seen it.”32
Ibn Qudāma from Ḥanbalī School said: “If the crescent of Ramaḍān is
sighted in any locality fasting become binding on the rest of the localities.”33 Al-
Bahūtī explains the Ḥanbalī positions:
“The Muslim world in its entirety is required to commence fasting by the
report of sighting anywhere in the world whether the place of sighting is
close or far from them. The ones who have not seen the new Moon come
under the ruling of those who have seen it even if the horizons are
different. Aḥmad said that the noon (zawāl) all over the world is the
same as the Prophetic commandment states: "start fasting by seeing it".
It is directed to the entire Muslim community." 34
The basis for this doctrine is the Quran and numerous Prophetic traditions:
1. ‫“ ﻔﻣﻦ ﺸﻬﺪ ﻣﻨﻜﻡ ﺍﻟﺷﻬﺮ ﻔﻠﻴﺼﻣﻪ‬Therefore, whoever of you sights
(shahida / ‫ )ﺷﻬﺪ‬the month, let him fast it” (al-Baqarah: 186)
2. ‫ﺻﻭﻣﻭﺍ ﻟﺮﺆﯾﺘﻪ ﻮ ﺍﻔﻄﺭﻮﺍ ﻟﺮﺆﯾﺘﻪ‬... … “Fast when you see it and break
your fast when you see it”.35
3. ‫ﻻ ﺘﺻﻭﻤﻭﺍ ﺤﺘﯽ ﺘﺭﻮﺍ ﺍﻟﻬﻼﻝ ﻮ ﻻ ﺘﻓﻃﺮﻮﺍ ﺤﺘﯽ ﺘﺭﻮﻩ ﻓإن أغمي عﻠﻴﻜم ﻓاقﺪﺭﻭﺍ ﻟﻪ‬
... …“Do not fast until you sight the crescent and do not break (end)
the fast until you sight it”.36
4. ‫ﻧﺤن أﻣﺔ أﻣﻳﺔ ﻻ ﻨﻛﺗﺐ ﻭ ﻻ ﻨﺤﺳﺏ‬... “We are an unlettered nation. We
do not write nor count. The month is like this and like this….”37
5. ‫ ﻔﺇن غﻡ عﻠﻴﻜﻡ ﻔأﻘﺪﺮﻭﺍ ﻠﻪ ﺛﻼﺛﻳﻦ‬.‫ﺇﺬﺍ ﺭأﻴﺗﻣﻭﻩ ﻔﺻﻭﻤﻭﺍ ﻭ ﺇﺬﺍ ﺭأﯿﺘﻣﻮﻩ ﻔﺄﻓﻂﺮﻭﺍ‬
5. ‫“…ﻳﻮﻣا‬If you sighted it, then fast; if you sighted) it, then break
31 Al-Zayla’ī, Tabyīn al-Ḥaqā’iq Sharḥ Kanz al-Daqā’iq; ‘Ābidīn, Radd al-Mukhtār ‘alā Durr al-
Mukhtār.
32 Muḥammad Ibn Aḥmad Ibn Jusay, Qawānīn al-Fiqhiyyah (Beirūt: Dār Ibn Ḥazm, 2013), 212.
33 Muḥammad Ibn ‘Abdullāh Ibn Qudāmah, al-Mughnī (Riyāḍ: Dār ‘Alam al-Kutub, 1997), 328.
34 Manṣūr Ibn Yūsūf al-Bahūtī, Kashshāf al-Qinā’ ‘an Matn al-Iqnā’, vol. II (Beirūt: Dār ‘Alam al-
Kutub, 1983), 303.

35 ‘Abd al-Wahhāb al-Sha’rānī, Kashf al-Ghummah (Cairo: Dār al-Fikr, 1969), 249.
36 ‘Shahih Muslim’, n.d.
37 ‘Shahih Muslim, Shahih Bukhari and Ibn Majah’, n.d.

(end) the fast; and if your vision is obscured then (uqdurū lah /
‫”)أقﺪﺮﻭﺍ ﻟﻪ‬.38
6. 6. ‫“…أﻜﻣﻠﻮﺍ ﺍﻠﻌﺪﺓ ﺜﻼﺛﻴن‬Complete the counting to thirty (days)”.39
These early jurists interpreted the ḥadīth “start fasting by sighting it and
stop fasting by sighting it” as a universal command obligation Muslims all over
the globe to fast Ramaḍān with trustworthy sighting in any locality.40
Despite such strong early positions, the later jurists roundly rejected the
unity of horizon positions officially adopted by their schools. Al-Qarrāfī, Mālikī
authority opined that since the crescent Moon differs with the difference in
horizons, then it becomes incumbent that each locality must go with its own
Moon (sighting). Obligating global fasting with local Moon sighting is far from
the (established Islamic) rules. One needs to know that the (Islamic) texts did
not require such an obligation.41
Similarly, other Scholars who approve of this opinion also differed on the
matter. Some scholars said that when we say Global moon sighting, we mean
the whole globe while others said that this is not the case. According to the
latter, global moon sighting does not mean the whole world; it means regions
or countries that are relatively close to one another or at least share a standard
portion of the night. Some scholars have also narrated scholarly consensus that
if the countries are as far as Andalus (Spain) and Khurasan (Iran), then they
should be considered different regions. Ibn ‘Abd Al-Barr said in his book Al-
Istidhkār: “The scholars have agreed that sightings of the crescent in countries
that are as far away‐ as Andalus and Khurasan‐ should not be considered (for one
another).”42 This scholarly consensus, however, is controversial and there is a
lot of discussion on the matter. Another opinion is that sighting of the crescent
in any country becomes binding on all countries west of this country, but not
the opposite. So a sighting of the crescent in Egypt would be binding to
Morocco but not to Saudi Arabia.43
38 ‘Shahih Muslim’.
39 Shah, ‘The Astronomical Calculations and Ramadan: A Fiqhi Discourse’.
40 Shah. “The Astronomical Calculations,” p. 11.
41 Aḥmad Ibn Idrīs al-Qarrāfī, Anwār al-Burūq fi Anwā’ al-Furūq, vol. IV (Kuwait: Dār al-Nawādir,
2010), 143.
42 Abī ‘Umar Yūsūf Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr, Al-Istidhkār al-Jāmi’ li Madhāhīb Fuqahā’ al-‘Amṣār, vol. X
(Aleppo: Dār al-Wagha, 1993), 30.

43 El-Banna, ‘Moon Sighting Explained’.

It is observed that scholars differed in opinion between global and regional

sighting and their respective variants, throughout the history of Islam; this
decision was left to the Imam. Each Imam or Islamic governor in every region
chose one of the two opinions whether (Global or Regional sighting), and
everyone under his authority obeyed. And keeping in mind that the advance in
telecommunications only took place recently, it was mostly Regional sighting
or at least limited Global sighting that was practised. Even today the majority of
Muslim countries (that depend on physical sighting) choose the Regional
sighting opinion due to its practicality.44
Mecca time-point for reference
Head of Aḥmadiyya Muslim jama’at Mirzā Nāṣir Aḥmad in his sermon
delivered at Rabwah on 27, January 1972 declared that beginning of the day
should initiate from Mecca and that the world of Islam should mutually co-
operate in this behalf. He, therefore, declared that all the brethren who ascribe
to the Prophet Muhammad and are reliable as a witness and are truthful in
their worldly dealings and choose righteousness, their sight of the moon in
Mecca, shall be treated as acceptable. As aforesaid, by it, all Aḥmadiyya
community in the world shall observe the Eid el-Adha the same day as it shall
be celebrated in the holy city of Mecca.45 Twenty-eight years later, his
successor, Mirzā Ṭāhir Aḥmad ruled that the date of Eid el-Adha is 10th of Dhū
al-Ḥijja of any country and therefore there is no question of celebrating it on
any other day. According to this opinion if the crescent is physically sighted
within the boundaries of a country, then the lunar month has started. Any
reports of sighting that come from outside the boundaries of the region are
irrelevant and do not affect their 10th of Dhū al-Ḥijja. This verdict was given on
April 3 2000.46 There is no contradiction between the two leaders. Nāṣir
Aḥmad used discretion as to the head of the community, while Ṭāhir Aḥmad
followed the general principle of regional moon sighting. According to this
principle, if the crescent is physically sighted within the boundaries of a
particular region, then the lunar month has started.
44 El-Banna.
45 Mirza Nasir Ahmad, ‘Mecca Point for Future Reverence’, The Review of Religions LXVII, no. 5
(1972): 135–37.
46 Muhammad Mahmud Maishanu, ‘Celebrating Eid-El-Azha’, The Truth LI, no. 1 (2000): 1–8.

Some Muslim individuals and organizations repeatedly call Muslims in the

UK and some other non-Muslim countries to abandon following Saudi Arabia
in determining Ramaḍān, Eid and Ḥajj. A section of these voices is driven by
specific agendas to attack the Saudi government and ultimately to attack the
religious ideology adopted by Saudi Arabia. In any case, they are unable to
provide a practical and workable alternative. The suggestion for Muslims in the
UK and other European countries to establish their moon-sighting has proven
over the years to be both an impractical and a non-approachable solution for
numerous reasons, including the fact that.47
They are unable to agree on one organization to represent them in this
issue due to their vast and diverse nature. They differ on the course to be
followed in case of failure to sight the moon on the possible dates of visibility;
some recommend following astronomical data, others recommend following
the sighting of the nearest Islamic country. They differ between themselves on
which country to follow.48 Others suggest that when the moon is not sighted
then, Sha’bān should be completed as thirty days irrespective of the
astronomical data as this is mentioned in the Prophetic guidance. However,
this recommendation is not widely accepted as it means that for the most part,
Ramaḍān will start after the thirty days of Sha’bān due to the cloudy conditions
in most European countries, including Britain.49
Another opinion put forward is for each Muslim to follow one’s local
mosque; this is the worst recommendation as it divides Muslims on a matter
which should unite them as a single community; what does one do if there are
two local mosques? Another option is to follow the first country that
announces the sighting; while this is a very logical and legitimate opinion; it is
unlikely to be accepted due to the political climate, diversity and disunity of
Muslims living in the UK as an example. Moreover, those supporting
astronomy as their basis will again question the sighting if it does not meet
their criteria.50 However, almost two-thirds of the Muslims in the UK, USA and
many countries of the world follow Mecca and not Saudi Arabia ideology; their
47 Haitham Al-Haddad, ‘An Insight Into Moon-Sighting’, n.d.
48 Al-Haddad.
49 Al-Haddad.
50 Al-Haddad.

attachment is to Mecca as their holiest place and not to Saudi Arabia as a

country.51
The four Sunni Schools on Astronomical Calculation
Al-Sarakhsī, a leading Ḥanafī jurist, argued against calculation on the basis
that astrologists and fortunetellers did it.52 Ibn ‘Abidīn from Ḥanafī School
established that the four schools of thought correct opinion are that there is no
significance in the statements of the munajjimīn (those who calculate
astronomically).”53 In his commentary, he said: “there is no significance to the
statements of almowakkiteen, i.e., those who calculate astronomically meaning in
the obligation of fasting”.54
Among the Mālikī school, Al‐Dardīr said: “The start of Ramaḍān is
established… either by completing the month of Sha’bān thirty days … not by
Astronomical Calculations according to the Mashhoor (the famous verdict in the
Māliki school)”.55 Zarrouk, in his commentary on Risāla Ibn Abī Zayd, said: “It is
apparent from his words that no attention should be given to those who follow
astronomical calculations, and this is the truth”.56
From al-Shā’fi’ī school, al‐Nawāwī said: “Whoever approves of following
Astronomical Calculations his opinion is rejected by the Prophet’s Ḥadīth “Fast
when you see it and break your fast when you see it.”. Haytamī said: “Fasting in
Ramaḍān becomes compulsory through completing Sha’bān or the sighting of
the Crescent… not according to an astrologer… or a Ḥāsib (one who calculates)…
and it is not permitted for anyone to follow them”.57 Al-Rashīdī said:” The
legislator made fasting compulsory on us by physical sighting not just the mere
51 Al-Haddad.
52 Muḥammad Ibn Aḥmad Ibn Abī Sahl al-Sarakhsī, Al-Mabsūṭ, vol. III (Beirūt: Dār al-Ma’rifah, n.d.),
78.
53 ‘Ābidīn, Radd al-Mukhtār ‘alā Durr al-Mukhtār.
54 ‘Ābidīn.
55 Sīdī Aḥmad al-Dardīr, Sharḥ al-Kabīr ‘alā Mukhtaṣar Khalīl, vol. IV (Cairo: Dār Ihyā’ al-Kutub al
‘Arabiyyah, 1981), 509.

56 Aḥmad Ibn Muḥammad Zarrūq, Sharḥ Zarrūq ‘alā Matn Risālah Ibn Abī Zayd (Beirūt: Dār al-
Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2006), 436.

57 Aḥmad Ibn Ḥajar al-Haytamī, Tuḥfat al-Muḥtaj bi Sharḥ al-Minhāj, vol. III (Cairo: al-Maktabah al-
Tujjāriyah al-Kubrā, n.d.), 273.

existing of the month’s crescent.”58 Al‐Ramlī also said: “We can also understand
from the words of the author (Al‐Nawāwī) that the sighting of the Crescent can
be established by sighting even if Astronomical Calculations state that there is no
possibility of sighting… because the legislator (Allah and His Prophet) did not
depend on Astronomical Calculations but ignored it, and this is the truth”.59
Similarly, Al-Khaṭīb al-Shirbīnī, affirmed: “Fasting is not mandatory if the
sighting of the crescent is based on Astronomical calculation.”60
From Ḥanbalī School, Ibn Mufliḥ said: “Whoever fasts according to astrology
or astronomical calculations his fasting is invalid, even if he turns out to be
correct, and no confirmation of sighting should be based on either, even if they
are usually correct.”61 Ibn Qudama said: “And if someone depends on the
statements of astrologers and those who know calculation, and it turns out that
he was right, his fasting is invalid, even if they are usually correct because it is not
a legal proof that one can depend on, or act upon, so its presence is equal to its
non‐presence.”62
Muslims in North America do not use a lunar calendar for other than
devotional purposes and have, in the past, had recourse to various methods of
determining the lunar months. Recently, some leaders within the Muslim
community have decided that it would be much better for Muslims to rely on
the calculation to facilitate the start dates for people's scheduling concerns as
well as the Eid dates for holidays with the hope that this will help the
community gain recognition from the government for Muslim holidays, which
would need to be known in the previous year when calendars are prepared.
Some financial concerns are also mentioned. And finally, the importance of
Muslim unity is cited as a reason for relying on the calculation to predetermine
the lunar calendar,63 Given that the community seems split on the subject
58 Aḥmad Ibn ‘Abd al-Razzāq al-Rashīdī, Ḥāshiyah Rashīdī ‘alā Nihāyah al-Muḥtāj, vol. III (Beirūt:
Dār al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2003), 150.

59 Aḥmad Ibn Hamzah al‐Ramlī, Nihāyah al-Muḥtāj, vol. III (Beirūt: Dār al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah,
2003), 153.
60 Muḥammad al-Khaṭīb al-Shirbīnī, Mughnī al-Muḥtāj, vol. II (Beirūt: Dār al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah,
2000), 141.
61 Shams al-Dīn Ibn Muḥammad Ibn Mufliḥ, Al-Furū’ (Riyāḍ: International Ideas Home, n.d.), 611.
62 Qudāmah, Al-Mughnī.
63 ‘Astronomical Calculations for Islamic Dates’, n.d.

every year.64 To address these genuine concerns, the Islamic Society of North
America (ISNA), working with its Fiqh Council and some highly qualified
mathematicians and astronomers, has decided that Muslims in North America
should follow lunar months determined by calculation. They argue that
astronomical science is highly developed and visibility charts can be generated
to high degrees of precision; it is not against the Sunnah, as some scholars of
the earliest period have accepted calculations as well as others of the later
period; and many modern scholars are inclining toward this position in larger
numbers.65
They further explained that Sighting the Hilāl (ru’ya) is not an act of ‘ibāda
in itself; it is instead a means to know with certainty about the beginning of the
new month related to Islamic ‘ibāda. And that ru’ya as a means was indicated
and used by the Prophet –peace be upon him- because he said that the Ummah
at that time was not literate and did not know how to write or to calculate
(complex astronomical data). In the past, some classical jurists refused to allow
calculations in this matter because in their time astronomy and astrology were
not quite distinct sciences. Jurists were suspicious that astronomical
predictions may not be based on exact science but whims, conjectures,
superstition etc. Meanwhile, using calculations in determining the Islamic
dates are not against the Sunnah. And reliable astronomical methods are now
available to provide a sound basis for the determination of the Islamic dates of
Ramaḍān and the two ‘ids. More importantly, Sharia is based on ease and
considers the convenience of people. Thus, the announcement of Islamic dates
ahead of time will reduce a lot of hardship, chaos and confusion that happen
every year at the time of the beginning of Ramaḍān and the two Eids.66
In response to this announcement, some of the imams of North America
announced their rejection of ISNA’s decision substantiating their position from
the perspective of Islamic law. They held that the ruling is based on the Ḥadīth
ṣūmū li ru’yati which requires physical sighting of the moon. Ḥarj was only
cited as one of the possible wisdoms and rationale behind basing the ruling on
the actual sighting. Therefore, irrespective of the existence of Ḥarj (for which
65 Yusuf.
66 ‘Astronomical Calculations for Islamic Dates’.

one will be significantly rewarded) or not, because the fundamental

requirement of actual sighting is proven from the ḥadīth, this ruling can never
be changed. The attempt to prove that ru’ya (sighting) is not an ‘ibādāt in itself
and that this should not be understood literally. And that Muslims rely on
astronomical calculations for ṣalāt times without physically observing the
sunset, sunrise, etc. For ifṭār and saḥūr purposes, one is not required to observe
the dawn signalling the commencement of fasting physically. Supporting
arguments with various verses of the Qur’an and ḥadīth which contain
variables of the word ru’ya in which context it does not constitute physical
observance. He contends that being sure of the precondition being found is
sufficient and one needs not physical observance thereof.67
In response, they held that any person possessing an elementary
understanding of Uṣūl al-Fiqh will know that the literal meaning of a word
must always be adopted. One may only move away from the literal meaning of
the word if it cannot be applied in the context of the scenario in question. ISNA
cited examples where the literal meaning cannot be applied, thus necessitating
another meaning to be adopted. In the ḥadīth, ṣūmū li ru’yati the literal
meaning of the word can be applied and therefore, one may not adopt any
other meaning. Physical observance of the crescent is not an ‘ibādāt in itself.
However, it is a precondition for the commencement of the month. For ṣalāt
times as well as the dawn signalling commencement of the fast, physical
observance is not a precondition. Once the precondition is found, e.g. sunset,
Shawwāl, etc. and one is sure thereof, this is sufficient irrespective of whether it
was observed physically or not. However, in the case of the crescent, the
physical observance is a precondition in itself, and surety only is not sufficient.
While astronomical calculations can predict exactly when a new moon will be
born, but they cannot predict precisely when it can be seen. Thus, these
calculations can tell you when it is impossible to sight the moon and when it is
most likely to sight it. The popular view among Muslim jurists regarding the
meaning of the Ḥadīth "Fast upon sighting it (the crescent)…" is an actual
sighting of the crescent. Therefore astronomy should be used to check sighting
errors and complement actual sighting rather than replace it.
67 ‘Astronomical Data and Ramadhan’, n.d.

Turkey's state-run Presidency of Religious Affairs (DİB) President Mehmet

Görmez opines that in this day and age when people can travel to the moon
and observe the movements of sun and moon second by second, in this age of
significant scientific developments, it was wrong to disregard these
developments and insist on observing the new moon with the naked eye by
climbing up mountains. Based on this fact, the International Hijri Calendar
Union Congress convened in Istanbul for an event hosted by (DİB) "between"
28 to May 30, 2016, with the hope of adopting a single Islamic lunar calendar
regarding the observance of religious holidays and especially concerns the
fasting month of Ramaḍān and Eid al-Adha. Scholars from Saudi Arabia,
Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Morocco and nearly 50 countries attended the
landmark congress which hosted a similar event in 1979, only to see an
agreement to reach a unified calendar fell apart in the following years. This
time the majority of scholars agreed on a single calendar. With this agreement,
Görmez was very optimistic that the meeting has put an end to "a 60-year-old
debate, but that had not happened.68
However, the guiding principle for the masses, therefore, is mentioned in
the ḥadīth, “the fast is the day you all fast; the breaking of fast is on the day that
you all breakfast; and the day of sacrifice is on the day that you all sacrifice.”69 Al-
Tirmīdhī said, ‘Some scholars explained this ḥadīth to mean that fasting and
breaking the fast should be done with the Muslim body jama’a or the majority
of people.70 This means that the ordinary person does not have his sighting of
the moon or follow his own decision. The matters of beginning Ramaḍān and
confirming Eid are not private affairs; they are decisions which affect the
Muslim community and therefore have to be taken on that level. None can do
this except the leader of the Muslims. When there is no leader, then the
majority of Muslims represent the opinion of the community.71 Today, the
same ruling should be applied on all sections or communities of Muslims due
to the nature of Muslim countries being separated and each making its own
68 ‘Islamic Scholars Agree on a Shared Lunar Calendar for Muslim World’, n.d.
69 Aḥmad Ibn al-Ḥusayn al-Bayhaqī, Sunnan al-Kubrā, vol. V (Beirūt: Dār al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah,
2003), 286.
70 Abū ‘Īsā Al-Tirmīdhī, Sunan al-Tirmīdhī, vol. II (Beirūt: Dār Gharb al-Islamī, 1996), 74.
71 Abū al-Ḥassan Nūr al-Dīn al-Sanadī, Ḥāshiyah al-Sanadi ‘alā Sunnan Ibn Mājah, vol. I (Beirūt: Dār
al-Jil, 1998), 509.

decisions. Therefore, the Muslim individual is left with no choice but to go with
the flow of the majority on this matter and to act according to the meaning of
this ḥadīth.72
The moonsighting dilemma in Nigeria
In Nigeria, over four decades, there was instituted an organized system of
sighting the crescent of the new moon associated with the Muslim religious
rites of fast and Ḥajj in Nigeria. Emirs or religious leaders all over the country
are mandated to be on the lookout for the moon heralding the beginning of the
month-long Ramaḍān fast. Whoever in an Emirate sighted the moon is to
report such with proofs to the Emir who in turn contacts the Sultan of Sokoto
who collates such information for the former announcement to the nation
through the media for the commencement of the short or end of same. This is
done with all fear of God that there are very few instances whereby a diversity
of sources do not corroborate the official sighting, and there are many towns
and few villages that are not officially announced but are known locally to have
seen the new moon on the announced time. 73
However, uninformed ignorant few under their imams insist on seeing the
moon physically and end up starting the fast, in instances, two or three days
behind the generality of people. Towards the end on the nineties, a new
dimension has cropped up. Years back, the former Sultan authorized putting
forward the date of Eid el-Adha by one day to avoid it is being celebrated on
the same date as Arafat day in Saudi Arabia. There were heated debates and
raised doubts that in that event questioned the validity of breaking the fast and
observing Eid el-Fitr. It has also thrown a spanner in the works of diligent
people who have been faithfully reporting the appearance of the crescent of
Ramaḍān and Shawwāl over many years now.74
The year 2000 witnessed the other side of the coin. Nigerians began fast
with Saudi Arabia, who is 2 hours ahead of Nigeria's time, but Nigerians did not
break Ramaḍān fast with them. They broke it after 29 days, but even though
many border countries to Saudi Arabia started and finished after 29 days with
Nigeria while Saudi Arabia completed 30 days to finish a day later. Nigeria
72 Al-Haddad, ‘An Insight Into Moon-Sighting’.
73 Abbas Femi, 'Eid Panorama', Vanguard, Friday, March 2001.
74 Femi.

celebrated Eid el-Fitr on Thursday, January 6, 2000. Counting two months and
ten days (70 days) from thence brought Nigeria naturally to Wednesday,
March 15, 2000, as the date of Eid el-Adha. The Sultan made a similar
announcement and government declared Wednesday, 15 and Thursday,
March 16 as public holidays. Paradoxically the same decision excited
controversy and divided action.75 This issue is aggravated to the extent that a
sharp difference is created between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, thereby
threatening the Unity of Muslims in Nigeria and the Muslim world at large.76 77
Previously, the endemic Ramaḍān and Shawwāl Moon Sighting
Controversies were just centred on the announcement of the moon sighting by
the Sultan of Sokoto and its opposition by a few ‘Ulamā’ and their followers.
They insisted on sighting the moons themselves. But 2014/1435 AH year
witnessed the most unfortunate incidence in the history of moon sighting in
Nigeria, as the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic
Affairs (NSCIA) and the Chairman of the National Moon Sighting Committee
(NMSC) publicly opposed the National Broadcast confirming the sighting of the
Shawwāl 1435 AH moon on Saturday, July 26 2014, by the NSCIA's President
General, the Sultan of Sokoto. On Friday, July 25, 2014, when the Sultanate
Council Sokoto issued a statement asking Nigerian Muslims to look out for the
new moon of Shawwāl that would end the Fasting month of Ramaḍān on
Saturday, July 26 2014, as that was the 29th day of Ramaḍān, 1435 AH in
Nigeria. On that same Friday, the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC)
set up by the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), issued a
canter message, that, Conjunction of Shawwāl Crescent is on July 26 2014, by
11.42 pm. Therefore it is impossible to sight it, that means we have no choice
but to complete 30 days because conjunction is after sunset on 29th of
Ramaḍān.78
Again, the Secretary-General of the NSCIA, Professor Is-haq Oloyede issued
a Press Statement as follows:
75 ‘Muslims Advised on Dates of Festivals’, The Punch, March 2001.
76 Qasim, ‘The Position of Salatul-Id- Al-Adha in Nigeria on Arafat Day in Saudi Arabia’.
77 Qasim, “The Position of Salatul-id ,” p. 458
78 Sani Abu Bakar Lugga, Moon Sighting Controversies (Kofar Marusa Katsina: Lugga Press Ltd,
2014), 9.

It is an indisputable fact that the old (Ramaḍān) moon will set just
before sunset in Nigeria on Saturday, July 26 2014. The new astronomic
moon would be born a few minutes before midnight of that Saturday.
Consequently, the search for Shawwāl moon is on Sunday, July 27 2014.
It can be sighted in Nigeria on Sunday with optical instruments or with
some difficulty with naked eyes. Any claim of sighting a moon that is yet
to be born is not only false, mistaken, or impossible but also ridiculous. 79
Oloyede did not deny the press report; therefore, it was taken as having
come from him. Inadvertently. The controversy was most unnecessary as the
NSCIA Secretary-General and the NMSC Chairman are highly enlightened and
know very well that some instances of astronomers' forecasts that the moons
of Ramaḍān and Shawwāl will not be sighted on some specific days in the
United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan; and the moons were sighted
on those specific days! Moon Sighting & Prayer Times Website on the Internet,
posted its forecasts for the Shawwāl 1435 AH moon sighting and had this
under its Sunday, July 27, 2014, column:
Moon is not expected to be seen in almost the whole World except with
difficulty in South America, and with ease in the Polynesian Islands,
where there are not many Muslims reporting moon sighting. There is a
slight possibility in South Africa, but only experienced observers may
see it.
This forecast clearly states that even on Sunday, July 27 2014 (Eid Day in
Nigeria), the Shawwāl 1435 moon was not expected to be sighted anywhere in
the World except in South America and South Africa and even there it will be
sighted “with difficulty". But, the same Website reported that the Shawwāl1435
moon was sighted in all the Regions of the World on that Sunday, July 27, 2014,
and that the Eid was observed the following day (Monday, July 28) in 81
Countries.80 A representative sample per World-Region of the Countries where
the moon was sighted on Sunday, being their 29th day of Ramaḍān (just as it
was sighted on the 29th day of Ramaḍān in Nigeria) included Saudi Arabia,
Qatar, Yemen, United Arab Emirates (Arabia); Niger Republic, Chad,
Cameroons (West Africa); South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Madagascar (South
Africa); Egypt, Algeria (North Africa) Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand (Asia); the
United Kingdom, Spain (Europe); Barbados, Chile, Argentina (South America).
79 ‘Controversy in Nigeria over Sighting of New Moon to Mark End of Ramadan July 27, 2014’,
Premium Times, n.d.

80 Lugga, Moon Sighting Controversies.

And despite the Nigerian cloudy raining season weather and the National
Moon Sighting Committee's computer-generated imageries, estimations,
calculations and forecasts; and the NSCIA Secretary General's negative
statement, the new moon of Shawwāl 1435 AH was sighted on Saturday, July
26 2014, in 42 Towns and Cities spread over 17 Emirates, in 5 North East
States, 5 North West States and 1 North Central State (eleven States). But it was
not reported to have been sighted in the three Southern Nigeria's geo-political
zones, particularly the South-West where Muslims are in the majority. That
was because the Northern Zones disregarded the postulations of the NMSC
Astronomers and went ahead to look out for the new moon. At the same time,
those in the Southern Zones believed the astronomers' forecasts and did not
lookout for the new moon. If they did, perhaps it would have been sighted
there also.81 This assertion was confirmed by an Islamic Cleric and the Chief
Imam of Ibara Housing Estate, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital, Shaykh
Fatai Opebiyi, on Sunday during his sermon after the Eid el-Fitr prayer held at
Ibara GRA, Abeokuta. Said:
There was no need for any controversy over the sighting of the moon to
commence or end the Ramaḍān fasting. The Muslim faithful should have
faith in the ability of constituted authorities in the Nigerian Muslim
Ummah to giving accurate information about moon sighting”. He added
that "Northern Muslims have established institutions for sighting the
new moon unlike their counterparts from the South"… He also faulted
the position of the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic
Affairs, Is-haq Oloyede, who, in an interview, directed Muslims to
continue fasting on Sunday. The Imam concluded that "During Ramaḍān,
Hausa people are in the desert looking for the moon while many of us
preoccupied ourselves with other things in the South. 82
Similarly, in 2015, the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA),
has overruled the Jamaátu Nasril Islam, the umbrella body for Islamic
organizations in Nigeria, on the declaration of Wednesday, September 23 Eid
el-Adha day in Nigeria. The JNI had in a statement on Sunday by its Secretary-
General, Khalid Aliyu, said the month of Dhū al-Ḥijja begins today (Monday),
meaning Eid el-Adha would be observed on Wednesday, September 23. The
JNI, like the NSCIA, is under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Saád
81 Lugga.
82 Sani and Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji Tukur, ‘Moonsighting Controversy: Islamic Group, Ogun Cleric
Pass Votes of Confidence on Sultan’, The Online Premium Times Newspaper, July 2014.

Abubakar. When Premium Times contacted the Secretary-General of the

NSCIA, Ishaq Oloyede on Monday, he said the announcement by the JNI was
made in error. "The NSCIA would state on the new month of Dhū al-Ḥijja later
today,” he said. He also said the Moon-Sighting committee of the NSCIA already
agreed with the decision of authorities in Saudi Arabia that the month of Dhū
al-Ḥijja begins tomorrow (Tuesday). “Consequently, Eid el-Adha would be
observed on Thursday, September 24, while Wednesday is Arafat day," he said.
Sunday's statement by the JNI quoted the Sultan as 'felicitating' with Nigerian
Muslims "over the successful commencement of Dhū al-Ḥijja today Monday,
September 14 2015. This is indeed gratifying as Wednesday, September 23,
2015, will mark this year's Eid el-Adha, In Shā’a Allāh”.83
Information gathered from all over the country showed that the Sultan's
directive was fully complied with in all regions except the South West and
Kwara State where compliance was put at 48 per cent. Of the few in the South
West that complied, Akure Muslim Community under the leadership of Shaykh
Abdul Hakeem Yayi Akorede and the rest, Ondo State Muslim Community
complied and prayed on Sunday based on the directive of the Sultan. Akorede,
during the Eid session, warned against defying the leadership of the Sultan
especially over the issue of moon-sighting, adding that it was equivalent to
sinning against Allah because, he said, "It is a sin to fast today (Sunday) that is
Eid day."84
More worrisome to many was the allegation that Yoruba members of the
NMC excluding the NMC national secretary, ‘Abdullāh Shu’ayb, held a meeting
in an undisclosed venue in Ibadan on the day Nigerian Muslims are supposed
to be observing the Eid el-Fitr. When contacted, one of them, Dr K. K. Olosho,
said, "We are in a meeting now. But I must tell you that there is fasting today
(Sunday) and so tomorrow (Monday) is Eid el-Fitr." Vanguard's
photojournalist, who was at the Obalende, Lagos Praying Ground on Sunday to
cover the Eid prayer, found no one as he said the gates to the grounds were
under lock and key, meaning that the Lagos Muslim Council did not comply
with the Sultan's directive. Also, ‘Abd al-Raḥmān Aḥmad, it was gathered, failed
83 Sani Tukur, 'NSCIA Overrules JNI, Says Eid-El-Kabir Day Is September 24, Not September 23
September', The Online Premium Times Newspaper, September 2015.

84 Ishola and Bashir Adefaka Balogun, ‘Eid-Ul-Fitri Moon-Sighting Controversy: How Conflicting
Opinions Split the Ummah’, Vanguard Newspaper, August 2014.

to lead his congregation (Ansarudeen society of Nigeria) on that Sunday as

directed by the Sultan. Aḥmad is said to be a member of the13 Yoruba on the
NMC set up by the Sultan.85
In flagrant disobedience to the President-general, the Nigeria Supreme
Council for Islamic Affairs and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji
Muḥammad Abū Bakr Sa’ad III, the Council of Chief Imam of Ibadan Land has
ordered that Tarāwīḥ be prayed tonight, saying Ramaḍān commences
tomorrow, Thursday, April 23, 2020. Muslim News had earlier reported the
Sultan's message to Nigerian Muslims, urging them to search for the Crescent
of Ramaḍān tomorrow, Thursday, April 23, 2020. However, a letter signed by
the Chief Imam of Ibadan Land who also doubles as the Grand Patron of the
League of Imams and Alfas of Yorubaland, Shaykh AbdulGanniy Abubakry
Agbotomokekere announced Thursday, April 23 as the beginning of Ramaḍān
fast. The statement read, “This is to inform the entire Muslim Ummah that (sic)
the commencement of Tarāwīḥ (Asamu) today Wednesday, April 22, 2020
equivalent to Sha’bān 29th 1441 and tomorrow Thursday, April 23, 2020, will be
the first day of Ramaḍān 1441."86
Muslim News placed a call to the Chief Imam. Still, it was answered by his
Assistant, Mr Idris Sulaiman, who confirmed that indeed, the letter emanated
from the Council of the Chief Imam of Ibadan Land. He also emphasized that
Ramaḍān commences tomorrow, Thursday, April 23, 2020, as Muslims are to
observe Taraweeh at home this night in compliance to the COVID-19
lockdown. Asked of the modality used in concluding since tomorrow, Thursday
is Sha’bān 29 based on the Sultanate counting, Mr Sulaiman said it was a
matter of knowledge, adding that those with practical knowledge of moon
sighting would understand that Ramaḍān commences tomorrow Thursday 23,
2020.87
The president of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA)
The Sultan of Sokoto Muḥammad Abū Bakr Sa’ad III has declared Friday as the
first day of Ramaḍān 4041AH, signifying the commencement of the annual
long month fasting by Muslims. Abū Bakr made the announcement on
85 Balogun.
86 ‘Ibadan Council of Imam Defies Sultan, Observes Taraweeh’, n.d.
87 ‘Ibadan Council of Imam Defies Sultan, Observes Taraweeh’.

Thursday evening in Sokoto in a broadcast saying the moon has been sighted
in some parts of the country and the reports of sighting of the new moon were
received from Muslim leaders and organizations across the nation.88 The
reports were duly verified and authenticated by the state and national moon-
sighting committee. Thus, the sighting of the new moon of Ramaḍān marks the
end of Month Sha’bān 4041AH, the Muslims in Nigeria should, therefore,
commence fasting accordingly. The Sultan of Sokoto Muḥammad Abū Bakr
Sa’ad III made the announcement on Thursday evening in Sokoto in a
broadcast to the nation.89
A group, the League of Imams and Alfas of South-West Nigeria (Rabiṭa al-
A’imma wa al-‘Ulamā’), has said that this year’s Ramaḍān will begin on April 25.
The group said its picking of Ramaḍān date for Muslims to begin fasting was
not meant to disrespect or challenge the authority of the Sultan of Sokoto,
Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III. In a statement signed by the group’s
Coordinator, Shaykh Muḥammed Ḥabībullāh Adam EL-Ilory and two others,
Assistant Coordinator, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Razzāq ‘Abd al-Azīz and Secretary, Moon
Sighting Committee, Ustaz Nūr al-Dīn Ibrāhīm, the group insisted that it had
been the practice since the league was formed in 1964.90
According to the group, the Holy Prophet had said: "Begin fasting when you
sight the crescent and end the fast when you sight the crescent. However, if the
crescent is obscure (not visible), then complete 30 days of Sha’bān.’ (ḥadīth).” The
statement reads: “The League of Imams and Alfas of South-West Nigeria
(Rabiṭa al-A’imma wa al-‘Ulamā’) would like to inform the general public that
Ramaḍān 1441/ 2020 commences on Saturday, April 25. "This is based on the
findings of Islamic Sharia complemented with astronomical calculations.
"Astronomically, the conjunction that leads to the termination of the month of
Sha’bān 1441AH will occur on Thursday, April 23, (equivalent to 29th of
Sha’bān, 1441AH) at 3:26 am in South-West Nigeria. "Thus, leaving the Age of
the Moon (A.O.M), i.e. period between conjunction time and the next maghrīb
(sunset time 6:54 pm) at 15hrs 28mins, which is only enough for sighting the
Moon by a powerful telescope or Binocular provided the weather is suitable.
"It is also important to mention that the geocentric illumination for this
88 ‘Sultan Declares Sighting of Moon’, n.d.
89 ‘Sultan Declares Sighting of Moon’.
90 ‘Ramadan Begins April 25, Says League of Imams and Alfas of South-West Nigeria’, n.d.

expected new crescent is 00.50%, which will make sighting even with
telescope still tricky.91
"Whereas, moon sighting with naked eyes is only possible when 17hrs –
23hrs elapse between conjunction time and the next maghrīb (sunset
time). "However, based on astronomical findings, Ramaḍān will end on
Saturday, May 23. This is because the conjunction that will terminate the
month of Ramaḍān 1441 will occur on Friday, May 22, at 6:38 pm leaving
the age of the Moon at Sunset (6:57 pm) at +00H 21 mins (i.e. sighting is
not possible on the day). "Hence, the sighting of the crescent is only
possible on Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, will be the official 1st
day of Shawwāl, 1441AH."92
Discussion
The foundation of any legal ruling in Islam is the Qur'an and the verified
Sunnah of the Prophet. All of the Qur'an and the Sunnah fall into four types: 1)
An evidence that is decisive in its authentic transmission and also unequivocal
in its meaning; 2) An evidence that is decisive in its authenticity but equivocal
in its meaning; 3) An evidence that is of only probable authenticity but
unmistakable in its meaning; 4) An evidence that is probable in its authenticity
and equivocal in its meaning. Ijtihād is not permissible in the first category. For
instance, the texts that prescribe fasting are both authentic and unequivocal;
therefore, no one can make a new ruling concerning the obligation of fasting
and its time based on ijtihād. However, many texts, such as the majority of
ḥadīth, are either probable (ẓanniyyāt al-wurūd) in the authenticity of their
narrations or equivocal in their meanings (·anniyyāt al-dilalah); this accounts
for the differences of opinions among the qualified and authoritative imams in
many of their legal rulings.93 In the absence of decisively authentic and
unequivocal texts, scholars may then and only then resort to ijtihād. Ijtihād is
therefore employed only in the absence of a clear and authentic text and
cannot be done otherwise.94
The second important rule to note about independent reasoning is that any
ijtihād concerning ambiguous texts must conform with verified Arabic
connotations as understood by the Arabs during the Prophet's lifetime and
91 ‘Ramadan Begins April 25, Says League of Imams and Alfas of South-West Nigeria’.
92 ‘Ramadan Begins April 25, Says League of Imams and Alfas of South-West Nigeria’.
94 Yusuf.

recorded in the accepted lexicons of the masters of Arabic lexicology. Hence, a

thorough knowledge of classical Arabic as understood by the first generation of
Muslims as well as of several other sciences is required before one can perform
ijtihād.95
If we understand these foundational principles, we can now look profitably
at the differences that arose about how we determine the onset of the two
months of Ramaḍān and Dhū al-Ḥijja, in particular, and the other lunar months
in general. The Qur’an says, “They ask you about the crescent moons; say they
are a means to measure your specific times and are also for the commencement
of the ḥajj.” (al-Baqarah: 189) This text is both decisive in its authenticity,
because the entire Qur’an is decisively authentic (qaṭ’ī al-wurūd), and it is
decisive in its meaning because there is no ambiguity about what crescents
(ahilla) mean in the Arabic language, and what the means to measure specific
times (mawāqīt) denote; hence, ijtihād is not an option.96
The Qur’an commands Muslims to use the crescent moons as a means for
determining the lunar months and the sacred obligations of fasting in
Ramaḍān and performing Ḥajj in Dhū al-Ḥijja. An important point to note
about this verse is that it specifies Ḥajj and leaves Ramaḍān to be understood
in the general meaning of the verse. According to the great commentators, Ḥajj
was mentioned in preparation for the final prohibition on determining the Ḥajj
based upon intercalation and not sighting, as the pre-Islamic Arabs sometimes
predetermined Ḥajj, so they did not need to look for the moon during the Ḥajj
season. al-Qurṭubī comments: “what is numbered, counted, reckoned, or
computed,97 And alteration of the months. Thus, God nullified their words and
deeds.98
Another verse commands Muslims to fast for the month of Ramaḍān,
unambiguously the lunar month known to the Arabs at that time. The verse
says, “The month of Ramaḍān is the one in which the Qur’an was revealed as a
guidance for humanity and clarifications of that guidance and a standard. So
whoever witnesses (shahida) the month among you, let him fast” (al-Baqarah:
95 Yusuf.
96 Yusuf.
97 Edward William Lane, Arabic-English Lexicon, vol. II (Cambridge: Islamic Texts Society, 1984),
1970.
98 Muḥammad al-Anṣārī al-Qurtubī, Al-Jāmi’ li Aḥkām al-Qur’ān, vol. II (Beirūt: Maktabah al-Bāz,
1993), 229.

185). Ibn al-‘Arabī comments on this verse: “Month here actually referred to the
crescent moon of the month and was called "the month" (al-shahr) due to
everyone knowing of its arrival.99 Al-Tirmīdhī relates that the Prophet said:
“Note the day that the crescent moon of Sha’bān appears to determine
Ramaḍān's crescent.”100 This is reiterated in the Prophet's words, "Fast
upon seeing it and break the fast upon seeing it. "And if the crescent
moon is obscured, then determine it (faqdurū lah).101
But the actual meaning among the scholars of consummate expertise is
“complete its number.” This is why the Prophet said in another narration,
“Complete the number of days of Sha’bān, thirty days.” Furthermore, in another
narration, he said, “If it is obscured, then complete a fast of thirty, and then break
your fast”. Some claimed that al-Shāfi’ī said one could depend upon calculating,
and this is a fall one cannot arise from.102 The Spanish master of the sciences of
Islam, Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr, says this about the same verse:
God says, “Whoever witnesses the month, let him fast” (Surah al-Baqarah:
185). He means, and God knows best, "Whoever among you knows, with
a knowledge that is certain, that the month has indeed begun must fast
it." And the specific knowledge is based on either sighting or the
completion of thirty days of the previous month. 103
The Sharia also allows the testimony of two just witnesses who saw the
moon on the thirtieth night of Sha’bān. That is also sound, and therefore the
previous month was of twenty-nine days. Some would consider this sound
only if the sky was clear and [the crescent not sighted], which is the meaning of
"if not, then determine it (faqdurū lah)” among the majority of scholars.104
According to Ibn Sirin, some of the great scholars among the second generation
(tābi’īn) understood it to imply a consideration of astronomy, the mansions of
the moon phases, and mathematical calculation. Ibn Sirin said about this
position, "It would have been better had they not done so." It is believed he was
referring to Mutarrif bin 'Abdullāh bin al-Shikhir, and God knows best. Mutarrif
99 Muḥammad Ibn Ja’far al-Kattānī, Nazm al-Mutanāthir min al-Ḥadīth al-Mutawātir (Cairo: Dār al-
Kutub al-Salafiyyah, 1998), 129.

100 Al-Tirmīdhī, Sunan al-Tirmīdhī.
102 Al-‘Arabī, Aḥkām al-Qur’ān.
103 al-Barr, Al-Istidhkār al-Jāmi’ li Madhāhīb Fuqahā’ al-‘Amṣār.
104 al-Barr.

was among the great pious and second-generation patient scholars of Basra.105
Ibn Surayj also relates that al-Shāfi’ī said:
Whoever is schooled in the ability to determine the course of the stars
and the mansions and phases of the moon, and it is clear to him from his
knowledge that the crescent moon will appear on a given night, but
then, clouds obscure it, then, in that case, it is permissible for him to
consider it time to fast and sleep with the intention 'of fasting the next
day', and he will be rewarded.106
However, what we have found authenticated in his books is that he
considered the month of Ramaḍān to be valid only by a widespread sighting or
sound testimony or completion of thirty days of Sha’bān by that Ḥadīth “Fast
when you see it and break your fast when you see it.” This is the school of four
famous Sunni. Abū Ḥanifah and his students, Mālik, al-Shāfi’ī, al-Awzā’ī, and all
of the people of ḥadīth, except for Aḥmad bin Ḥanbal and those who conferred
with him.107
It is clear that none of these men understood the opinion that allowed
calculation to mean bypassing the actual sighting; instead, they understood
calculation to be permissible only if atmospheric conditions obscured the
visibility factor. Another important reason for rejecting the interpretation of
the ḥadīth, “and if it is obscured then calculate it" to mean the use of scientific
measurements is that the other narration, "and if it, i.e. the new moon of
Ramaḍān is obscured, then complete thirty days of Sha’bān." In uṣūl, this is
known as mubayyin (clarifying), and the former is called mujmal (ambiguous).
It is a well-known uṣūlī principle that if a ḥadīth has one narration that is
equivocal and another that is unequivocal, and both are of equal authenticity,
then the unmistakable is the one used for legislative purposes.108
Ibn Rushd clarified this matter and opined that the difference of opinion
about the commencement of Ramaḍān results from the ambiguity in the
ḥadīth, “Fast based upon its sighting and break your fast based upon it, and
should it be obscured, then calculate it.” But the majority of scholars took the
other narration, which states “Complete the number of thirty days.” Some of
them said the measurement (taqdīr) mentioned in the first ḥadīth means the
105 al-Barr.
106 al-Barr.
107 al-Barr.

new month should be determined with the use of calculation, and others said it
simply means that you should fast the next day, irrespective of what your
calculations may lead you to conclude. The latter is the way of Ibn ‘Umar. But
the majority went with the authentic narration of Ibn ‘Abbās, which states that
the Prophet said, “And if it, i.e. the new moon of Ramaḍān should be obscured,
then complete the thirty days of Sha’bān.” And, since the former is ambiguous
(mujmal) and the latter clarifying (mufassir), then it is an obligation (wajib) to
interpret the ambiguous one by the one that clarifies. Besides, this
methodology is one in which there is no difference of opinion among the
scholars, especially given that the two narrations do not involve a
contradiction. Hence, how the majority of the jurists have understood it is the
correct one.109
Ibn al-‘Arabī, in his commentary Al-Qabas fī Sharḥ Muwaṭṭa’ Mālik bin
‘Anas, opined that God has obliged Muslims to fast based upon the sighting of
the crescent moon and added to that an injunction to note the commencement
of Shawwāl’s crescent. Also, here is an interesting juristic point: some of the
scholars of the second generation said that if the crescent moon is obscured,
one may use calculation. Thus, if an astronomer says, “Tonight, based upon the
crescent’s angle of elongation, it is normally possible to sight the crescent had it
not been for atmospheric conditions,” we can act according to his statement in
our fasting and breaking of our fast based upon the Prophet’s statement,
“determine it.” In other words, they argue that he meant, “Calculate the position
of the moon” based upon God’s word, ‘We have fixed exactly the moon’s phases’
….” (Al-Zumar, 39).
What a calamitous mistake they have made! We are not, of course, denying
the foundation of the science of calculation nor of the discernable patterns of
the mansions and moon phases. However, it is not possible that use of scientific
calculations was intended in the meaning of the ḥadīth for two reasons: Firstly,
Mālik discerned a principle in ḥadīth interpretation which became a basis for
those who came after him. Mālik said that the first ḥadīth is equivocal, but the
ambiguity in it was clarified in the second ḥadīth, in which the Prophet s said,
“Complete the number thirty.” In other words, the second ḥadīth clarifies what
the first meant. As for the second reason, it is not permissible to rely on
astronomers and mathematicians, not because their findings are not accurate
109 Abū al-Wālid Muḥammad Ibn Rushd, Bidāyah al-Mujtahid wa Nihāyah al-Muqtaṣid (Beirūt:
Dār al-Kitāb al-‘Arabī, 2004), 228.

but because people's beliefs must be protected from an association with

celestial motions and future occurrences of conjunctions and separations.
Indeed, that is a vast ocean should people be pulled into it. Moreover, there is a
position, stated by people of understanding among the scholars of the second
generation, that in the specific ḥadīth in which the Prophet showed the
number of days of Ramaḍān using his fingers, the Prophet negated the use of
the common numerals that mathematicians use. Therefore, it is even more
likely that he would negate the use of celestial bodies and their orbits.110
What we find profoundly interesting is Qāḍī Abū Bakr’s point that the
Prophet could very well have used the words “twenty-nine and thirty” when
indicating the number of days possible in a lunar month. Had he done so, those
he was speaking to would have understood him, as he was wont to state
numbers on many other occasions as reported in sound ḥadīth; he used high
numbers, such as one million (alfu alf); he also used twenty-seven, twenty-five,
and five; and he used the number ninety-nine in the sound ḥadīth, “God has
ninety-nine Names, one-hundred less one; whoever enumerates them will enter
Paradise.” However, he chose not to state any numbers when showing the
number of days in a lunar month, as if to deter people from thinking about
enumeration specifically when it comes to determining the lunar months.
Hence, instead of saying the words “twenty-nine and thirty," the Prophet s used
his blessed hands, showing with his fingers how many days are possible in the
month, as if to emphasize using the most basic human ability of sight. It is as
though he were saying, "Look, see, perceive with your eyes the month, even
upon my hands." This insistence upon sighting the moon illustrates so well “the
sense in Islam that it is the immediate surrounding conditions, rather than any
theoretical ones, that reflect the Divine will of God in its relation to men, and
that it is these which should determine the sacred acts.”111
The Prophet commanded the Muslims to keep track of the crescent moons
and to inform him when sighted. If a new moon was sighted for the devotional
months of Ramaḍān or Dhū al-Hijja (the month in which Ḥajj is performed),
the news was announced to all. In 637 CE, sixteen years after the Hijra of the
Prophet, the caliph 'Umar instituted the new Islamic year based upon the first
of Muharram in the year that the Prophet had migrated from Mecca to Medina.
110 Abū Bakr Ibn al-‘Arabī, Al-Qabas fi Sharḥ al-Muwaṭṭā’ Mālik Ibn ‘Anas (Beirūt: Dār Gharb al-
Islāmī, 1992), 483–84.

111 Cyril Glasse, The Concise Encyclopedia of Islam (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1986), 96–97.

The first of Muharram 622 CE, which coincided with July 16 622 CE, began
year one of the Muslim eras. Muslim astronomers and mathematicians have
maintained rigorous and practical calendars for their respective eras,
developed accurate ephemerides that detail the phases of the moon, and even
provided crescent visibility tables for different climes.112
This demonstrates that Muslims in pre-modern times did indeed possess
the intricate and detailed knowledge necessary to construct both lunar and
solar calendars to organize their worldly and religious affairs.113 Shortly after
the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, non-Muslim colonialists ran the
administrations of much of the Muslim world, which led to the Muslim
adoption of the current Gregorian calendar. Despite the almost universal
domination of the Western calendar, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates,
Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia still produce qualified sacred timekeepers
who have studied the traditional science of horology and are capable of
maintaining lunar calendars based upon both separations (mufāraqa), as is
currently practised in Saudi Arabia, and moon sighting, such as what is
practised in Morocco.114
Thus, there is a near consensus among jurists that the criterion for the start
of the Islamic month is for the new crescent to be visible in the sky; most jurists
specify that it must be visible to the unaided eye (and not through a telescope
or other instrument). Contrary to what some people think, this is different
from the new moon, which is invisible from earth. The crescent usually
becomes visible one or two days after the new moon.
Science and Technology are "knowledge-based", and Islam is based on and
encourages the seeking of knowledge. Therefore, Muslims accept that Science
and Technology could be used to assist in new moon sighting." However, the
use of Science and Technology should be complementary and not an
alternative to the paramount physical eye sighting of the moon. For example,
suppose computer software-generated images suggest that a moon may not be
sighted on a particular day. Still, Muslims testify (by the Sharia provisions) to
seeing the moon with their eyes on that day. In that case, their testimony
112 Glasse, The Concise Encyclopedia of Islam.
114 Yusuf.

should override the computer-generated forecast and not the other way
round.115
In Nigeria, there is a need to understand the Sharia, and what it imposes on
people. For a person resident in Nigeria, what is demanded of him is Eid al-
Adha and the Animal sacrifice on the day proclaimed to be the 10th of Dhū al-
Ḥijja by his leaders by their new moon sighting, and not what Sharia demands
of a pilgrim or someone resident in Saudi Arabia or any other country. More
importantly, Sharia did not ask people to follow Saudi Arabia. Thus we cannot
say that, those that went by the provisions of the Sharia and did what their
leaders ordered them to do and by the provisions of the law, that their Eid
prayers or sacrifices are vitiated. Had it been so, the Prophet would have made
a categorical statement to that effect. Therefore when Nigeria and some
countries in the World may celebrate Eid al-Adha on the 10th of Dhū al-Ḥijja
which may not coincide with the Saudi authorities, it does not mean such Eid
al-Adha is not in conformity with the Sunnah.116 Prophet said as quoted earlier
“the fast is the day you all fast; the breaking of fast is on the day that you all
breakfast; and the day of sacrifice is on the day that you all sacrifice”.
Conclusion
The paper concludes that all the trends above, which have been prevalent
among the Muslim scholarship throughout Islamic history, are acceptable as
long as they do not lead to mutual discard and accusations of misguidance. All
reflect the sincere efforts to implement the intent of the Lawgiver to the best of
human abilities. Sharia has enough room for pluralism as long as the sincerity
of intention, and the textual proof is guaranteed. The paper, therefore, opines
that unity is of paramount importance and every attempt should be made to
create a united Ummah, but this should never be at the expense of the
teachings and practices of the Prophet. The commencement of the Islamic
month is dependent on the physical sighting of the crescent (or completion of
30 days) as has always been the opinion of the vast majority of the Ummah.
Astronomical calculations will not be rejected. They will be used to
authenticate reports on the physical sighting.
115 Lugga, Moon Sighting Controversies.
116 Qasim, ‘The Position of Salatul-Id- Al-Adha in Nigeria on Arafat Day in Saudi Arabia’.

The paper opines that sighting the moon is an intended purpose of

Ramaḍān. The Prophet has commanded Muslim in a Ḥadīth that is of no less
authority than the Qur’an itself: “Fast upon seeing the crescent, and break your
fast upon seeing it; and if it is obscured, then calculate it." The meaning is exact,
as has been clarified by the illustrious jurists quoted in this paper. Muslims are
therefore advised not to accuse other Muslims, exceptionally knowledgeable
people, of committing trivial mistakes concerning significant matters. It is
established that Eid al-Adha is independent of ‘Arafah because both are
observed on different days. Therefore the observance of Eid al-Adha on ‘Arafah
day in any part of the world is allowed and accepted in Islam but preferably
celebrating it with Saudi Arabia is the best if that is possible. However, the
evidence compels Muslims to follow the opinion of the majority of Muslims in
any country irrespective of how the opinion is arrived at. This diversity of
opinions shouldn't lead to disunity. Unity and conformity are two separate
things. Islam requires us to have unity amongst ourselves, not conformity. Ibn
Majshoon has suggested the practical solution. This prominent Māliki jurist
said that the regions should depend on the Imam's authority (head of Islamic
state) so if the Imam announces the start of the lunar month, then all cities
under his authority should accept it. And even with this, how the month is
determined are contained in either sighting or completing thirty days. There is
no room for reliance upon calculation.
However, controversy on moon sighting in Nigeria would continue as long
as the country continues with politics of religion and religious politics. If not?
Why are there conflicts between the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic
Affairs (NSCIA), and its Secretary-General? What necessitates conflict between
National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) and the body that set it up NSCIA?
How do we explain the differences between Jamaátu Nasril Islam (JNI), with its
president General? From another angle, the Chief Imam of Ibadan Land and the
Grand Patron of the League of Imams and Alfas of Yoruba land openly
disagreed with the League. The League announced this year's Ramaḍān begins
on April 25. Sultan announced April 24, while chief Imam of Ibadan land begins
Ramaḍān on April 23 2020. The league though said its picking of Ramaḍān
date for Muslims to begin fasting was not meant to disrespect or challenge the
authority of the Sultan of Sokoto if that decision is not to disrespect the Sultan
what does that constitutes? The paper, therefore, recommended the
establishment of a Federal Ministry of Islamic religious Affairs to be in charge

of moon sighting. By doing so, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs
(NSCIA), and National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) would be under the
Ministry and would be its employees.[a]
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Al-Ahkam, Vol 30 No 2 (2020): 215-252

Sharia and Moon Sighting and Calculation Examining Moon

Abdulmajeed Bolade Hassan-Bello

AL-AHKAM Vol 30 No. 2, Oktober 2020 ║215

Qalam, 1988), 148.

Qalam, 1992), 843.

6 Omar El-Banna, ‘Moon Sighting Explained’, n.d.

216 ║ Vol 30, No 2, Oktober 2020 AL-AHKAM

prospect of confirming the beginning of Ramaḍān and Eids without the

7 Louay Safi, ‘Reading, Sighting, and Calculating’, n.d.

AL-AHKAM Vol 30, No 2, Oktober 2020 ║ 217

218 ║ Vol 30, No 2, Oktober 2020 AL-AHKAM

The Islamic law on Moon Sighting and Calculation

Language Services, 1994), 1087.

(Beirūt: Dār Iḥyā’ al-Turāth al-‘Arabī, 1994), 203.

AL-AHKAM Vol 30, No 2, Oktober 2020 ║ 219

Jurists’ Opinions on Determining the Beginning and end of

17 Yusuf, ‘Cesarean Moon Births’.

220 ║ Vol 30, No 2, Oktober 2020 AL-AHKAM

(Jeddah: Maktabah al-Irshād, n.d.), 280.

Islamī, 2009), 316.

al-Kutub, 2003), 363.

AL-AHKAM Vol 30, No 2, Oktober 2020 ║ 221

varies by different diameters as the entry and exit of time is occupied

22 Al-Zayla’ī, Tabyīn al-Ḥaqā’iq Sharḥ Kanz al-Daqā’iq.

International Institute of Islamic Thought, 2009.

Ḥazm, 2005), 1090.

222 ║ Vol 30, No 2, Oktober 2020 AL-AHKAM

26 Al-Shawkānī, Nayl al-Awṭār.

27 Shah, ‘The Astronomical Calculations and Ramadan: A Fiqhi Discourse’.

28 Kuwait Ministry of Religious Affairs and Awqaf, ‘al-Mawsū‘ah al-Fiqhiyyah (Encyclopedia of

Fiqh)’ (Kuwait: Ministry of Religious Affairs and Awqaf, 1992), 142.

Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1997), 471.

AL-AHKAM Vol 30, No 2, Oktober 2020 ║ 223

Kutub, 1983), 303.

36 ‘Shahih Muslim’, n.d.

37 ‘Shahih Muslim, Shahih Bukhari and Ibn Majah’, n.d.

224 ║ Vol 30, No 2, Oktober 2020 AL-AHKAM

39 Shah, ‘The Astronomical Calculations and Ramadan: A Fiqhi Discourse’.

40 Shah. “The Astronomical Calculations,” p. 11.

(Aleppo: Dār al-Wagha, 1993), 30.

AL-AHKAM Vol 30, No 2, Oktober 2020 ║ 225

It is observed that scholars differed in opinion between global and regional

226 ║ Vol 30, No 2, Oktober 2020 AL-AHKAM

Some Muslim individuals and organizations repeatedly call Muslims in the

47 Haitham Al-Haddad, ‘An Insight Into Moon-Sighting’, n.d.

AL-AHKAM Vol 30, No 2, Oktober 2020 ║ 227

attachment is to Mecca as their holiest place and not to Saudi Arabia as a

‘Arabiyyah, 1981), 509.

Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2006), 436.

Tujjāriyah al-Kubrā, n.d.), 273.

228 ║ Vol 30, No 2, Oktober 2020 AL-AHKAM

Dār al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2003), 150.

63 ‘Astronomical Calculations for Islamic Dates’, n.d.

AL-AHKAM Vol 30, No 2, Oktober 2020 ║ 229

64 Yusuf, ‘Cesarean Moon Births’.

66 ‘Astronomical Calculations for Islamic Dates’.

230 ║ Vol 30, No 2, Oktober 2020 AL-AHKAM

one will be significantly rewarded) or not, because the fundamental