3/7 Grand Fatwa: Global Moon Sighting Making Mecca as Center - Mufti Muneer Akhoon

[noman25]

ok if we take Mecca as center then what about Australia which is many hours ahead from saudi, and first of all saudi dont use the traditional moonsighting, they use some kind of calculation, if they use actual sighting then there will be no problem.

[SalfSalih]

Shaykhul Hadith Mufti Saeed Khalid Saifullah Rahmani writes: ‘One may benefit from Astronomical research to the extent that if on any day, there is no possibility of sighting, then on that day a testimony should only be accepted with great care and research, and so many people must sight the moon that it is not possible to

reject their testimonies…’ (Jadeed Fiqhi Masaail vol 2, p 28)

[SalfSalih]

The issue is not that we follow Saudi or not; rather the reality is that Saudi is incorrect and hence we must avoid following them in this matter. This is because by making the decision according to Saudi (where the birth of the new moon is set as a criterion) is in fact adopting the teachings of Judaism and Hinduism not Islam.

[SalfSalih]

Hadhrat Aqdas Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi قدس سره writes: “If the skies are clear then the testimony of two or four people will not be sufficient, whether it is for Ramadhan or whether it is for Eid. On the other hand, if so many people came forward with testimonies, that it becomes clear that they are not lying, nor can such a large group lie, then the testimonies will be accepted and the new month will commence. (Bahishti Zewar part 3 p6/ Ilm ul figh vol 3 p425/ Ta’limul Islam vol 4, p69)

[SalfSalih]

Hadhrat Mufti Sayed Abdur Raheem Lajpuri رحمه الله writes: If the skies are clear the testimony of the two or four people will not be enough. A testimony of such a large group is essential to the extent that the Qadhi, Aalim or Mufti is fully confident and satisfied that the Hilal has been sighted, and No doubts remain. ( فتاوىرحيميہ Fataawa

Rahimiyah vol 10, p 169/