The Crescent Sighting for Ramadhan and
Eid - A Self Created Problem by the Muslims for the Muslims
By: Syed Soharwardy
Islamic Supreme Council of
The crescent sighting for Ramadhan and
Eid(s) has been a point of dispute among Muslims for a long time. As the
Muslims have spread in all parts of the globe including non-Muslim countries
this problem has grown many folds. Every time when Eid and Ramadhan come,
instead of good wishes and warm feelings among Muslims, a bitter and heated
discussions take away the joy of celebration. In one city various Muslim groups
start and end Ramadhan on different days. Some times Eid is celebrated in one
city on three different days. Why is this happening? Why is it worsening? Can
this be solved? Let's discuss this problem in detail.
Situation in Muslim Countries
Let's discuss the situation in Muslim
countries first. Keeping this problem in mind, we can divide Muslim countries
into two categories. Just to avoid any misunderstanding among Muslim brothers
and sisters, I will not mention the names of these countries.
First category of Muslim countries
include the countries where the form of government is dictatorship (although,
the governments of these countries claim that they have democracy in their
countries but that claim is false based upon the Islamic principles of
government as well as the modern principles of democracy). The government in
each country has established a committee. The members of this committee observe
the crescent and/or receive the witnesses from the public who might have seen
the crescent. After sighting or non-sighting of the crescent, the committee
decides the dates for Ramadhan, Eid, Hajj, etc.. and sends the decision to the
government, possibly the head of state. The head of state approves the decision
and issues a decree OR announcement for Ramadhan or Eid. Everyone in the
country accepts the announcement. NO ONE DARE TO DISPUTE THE DECISION. Everyone
in the country starts and ends Ramadhan on the same day. Eid-ul-Fitre and
Eid-ul-Adhha is celebrated on the same day all over the country. No questions
of "firqas" (sects) and "Fiqqas" (jurisprudence) asked.
The second category of Muslim
countries are those where restricted democracy prevails. These countries may
not be as democratic as Islam requires, but still these countries do not have
dictatorships as well. In these countries the governments have more or less the
same setup for crescent sighting as in the category 1 but everyone has the
right to inquire about the decision and every Imam Masjid can dispute the
decision. If the Imam of Mosque or Imams of several Mosques think that the
announcement from the government is not correct, they make their own
announcement and declare Ramadhan and Eid on different days. This causes
differences among Muslims. Some celebrate on government's announced day. Some
celebrate on the day announced by Moulvees (Imams of Mosques). Most often the
division gets so deep that the people of one part of the country or people
belonging to a specific "FIRQAH" (sect) celebrate on one day and the
rest of the people celebrate on the other day. Some time Eid is celebrated on
three different days in various parts of the country while the country is not
even half the size of State of
Non-Muslim Countries
Lets discuss the situation in
non-Muslim countries and continents,
The first category includes the
Muslim organizations or Imams of Mosques those strictly follow the rule of
crescent sighting defined by the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon
him). The rule is very simple. "When you see the crescent for
Ramadhan, you start Ramadhan and when you see crescent for Shawwal you end
fasting. If it is cloudy and people are unable to see it, complete thirty days
of fasting and then celebrate Eid".
The second category of Muslim organizations
and Imams of Mosques in non-Muslim countries are those follow the scientific /
astronomical calculations. They decide Ramadhan and Eid based upon the expected
crescent sighting dates. They establish calendar for the entire year and follow
their calendar. The Ramadhan and Eid days of their calendar may or may not
coincide with the category one group.
The third category is the
largest of all groups. In this category organizations and Imams try to combine
principles of category one and two as mentioned above. But this causes a
problem. Some organizations or individuals give more weight to the sighting of
the crescent and less weight to the astronomical calculations, while some
organizations and individuals do the opposite. Therefore, no unanimous decision
can be made. Various Imams and organizations make their own decisions.
The fourth category of Muslim
organizations and Imams ignores the above mentioned both principles and follow
the dates for Ramadhan and Eid either of their native countries OR Saudi
Arabia. If the crescent has been sighted either in their own country of origin
OR in Saudi Arabia, they will accept this crescent sighting for their area of
residence and observe Ramadhan OR Eid. They completely ignore the long
distances (could be hundreds or thousands of miles) of their native country OR
Saudi Arabia from their present place of residence in North America or Europe
or Australia etc...
The fifth category of Imams and
organizations is that who would take the crescent sighting dates from the
nearest Muslim country OR a Muslim country with which they share a portion of
night and day. For example Morocco and Spain has little difference in their
night and day timings. This decision making is common in Europe. For example,
if the crescent has been sighted in Morocco or Algeria the people in France or
Spain would also consider this crescent for their area of residence and observe
Ramadhan or Eid.
Why this division?
There is no doubt that all these
individuals, organizations and Imams have good intentions in their hearts and
thoughts. They all know that one-day they will be standing in front of their
Lord, Almighty Allah and answering about their decisions. They will be
accountable for those decisions. All of them want to unite Muslims not to divide
them. But the reality of the matter is that the Muslims are getting more and
more divided on this issue.
With all due respect, the root cause
of this entire problem / division of Muslims is the false ego and pride of
Muslim organizations, Imams of Mosques and religious scholars not ordinary
Muslim. Allah says in Qur'an,
" And they became divided only
after knowledge reached them - through selfish envy as between themselves"
(Surah Al Shura, 42:14)
" And We granted them clear signs
in affairs (of religion): it was only after knowledge had been granted to them
that they fell into schisms, through insolent envy among themselves. Verily thy
Lord will judge between them on the Day of Judgment as to those matters in
which they setup differences." (Surah Al Jathiyah, 45:17)
Some facts
Once a companion of Prophet (Peace be
upon him) came in Madinah from a distant village during the period of Muhammad
(peace be upon him). When he arrived the Muslims of Madinah were fasting. He
told them that he was not fasting because last night, the crescent had been
sighted in his village and the people of his village would be celebrating Eid
today. Although, he himself was not fasting but he waited till the next day and
celebrated Eid with the people of Madinah. This proves the permissibility that
far distant cities or villages can have different days of Eid and Ramadhan
depending upon the decision made by the authorities of that location.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
OR the companions of Muhammad (peace be upon him) never asked that the entire
Muslim population of the world should start Ramadhan same day or end same day
Or celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr same day. During the Khilfat of Sayyidna Omar Farooq
(May Allah be pleased with him) Islam reached far and wide. Did he ever give any
instructions to his regional governors to make sure that all the people of
their region must celebrate on one day OR they should celebrate when people of
Madinah celebrate? No, he never asked.
Don't we know that Muhammad (peace be
upon him) has already given us the principle for starting and ending Ramadhan
and Eids? Don't we think that by deviating from the principle defined by
Muhammad (peace be upon him) we are not only creating distortion (Bid'a) in
Islam but we are also doing some thing knowingly against the instruction of the
Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).
The Sources of Dispute
There could be several sources of
dispute among Muslims. Some of them are as follows.
Sectarian Differences: The jealousy
and sectarian differences of Muslim organizations and Imams are one of the
major sources of division among Muslims. We divide Muslims in the name of Islam
and Allah in order to protect our control and monopoly over a mosque or a
geographical area.
The Information Flow: We know that
during the period of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) OR during the period
of Companions of the Prophet (May Allah's blessings upon them) the information
flow was extremely slow compare to present days. We now have telephones, TV,
Radio, Satellites and above all Internet. We can find out in USA what is
happening in Saudi Arabia in real time. These facilities were not available
during Prophet's (peace be upon him) or his companions time. Therefore,, why
can't we use these fast communication systems and follow Saudi Arabia's
crescent in Canada or US? This way the Muslims around the world would be able
to celebrate Ramadhan and Eid on same days. Hence expressing Muslim unity.
This intention may be good one but it
has not worked. It has divided more Muslims than uniting them. Did we ever
think that this is an innovation (Bid'a) too?
Did Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon
him) sent his companions from Madinah to the near by villages or towns
informing them that in Madinah crescent has been sighted, you people should
also follow us? Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) could have sent his
companions within a few hours of horse ride to inform people about the sighting
of crescent in Madinah. Certainly, Prophet (peace be upon him) never did this
neither his companions. It proves that the information flow from Madinah (now
part of Saudi Arabia) to other parts of the world regarding Ramadhan and Eid
dates is not required neither desired in Islam. Forcing people in North
America, Europe, South America or Australia to observe Ramadhan and Eid on the
day when Saudis observe them is an INNOVATION (BID'A) in Islam. It is
not a valid Ijtihad. In Canada or USA, do we offer our five prayers based upon
the prayer timings of Saudi Arabia. We see the five prayers offered in Makkah
or Madinah in real time through satellite in North America but we never follow
those timings.
Astronomical Calculations: What about
deciding the dates of Ramadhan and Eid by using astronomical calculations? Yes,
we may take advantage of these scientific methods but relying completely on
these methods alone is not correct. These tools and methods can help us in
making decisions.
Influence on Muslims from Non-Muslim
Celebrations: We, specially the Muslims living in North America, South
America, Europe and Australia have seen the celebrations of non-Muslims.
Christmas is celebrated all over the world on the same date. Honneka is
celebrated everywhere on the same date. Diwalee date is never disputed. Chinese
New Year date......., no problems. Why Muslims have problems with the dates of
Ramadhan and Eid celebrations? This is a very good and right question?
When Muslims see Christmas or New Year
or New Millennium is celebrated everywhere on the same day, it looks good and
it provides a sense of unity among Christians. When Chines celebrate their New
Year on the same day it provides sense of unity in their community etc.. etc...
Celebrating Eid on the same day by all
the Muslims all over the world will not bring unity among Muslims. It is a
wrong, unrealistic and un-Islamic approach. It has divided Muslims than uniting
them. Muslims came to this world to impress and influence other cultures and
religions NOT to get influenced by them.
What Unites Muslim Ummah?
The love for Allah and His
Prophet (Peace be upon him) and constant struggle in the path of Allah. The
respect for fellow Muslim's life, his/her property and his/her rights.
Jokes with Islamic Shari'a
During 1999, in one of the Western
Canadian cities, the Imam of a Mosque announced Eid-ul-Fitr on 29th Ramadhan in
Jum'a prayer (1:30 PM) because in Saudi Arabia the crescent was sighted and Eid
was announced. In year 2000, the same Imam did not follow Saudi Arabia and
relied on local crescent sighting, and celebrated Eid on the next day after
Saudi Arabia. In 2001, again local crescent sighting was not even considered
and the start of Ramadhan was announced at Zohar time. What kind of
"FIQAH" (Jurisprudence) is this? Is it a matter of convenience? OR do
our Imams make decisions based upon "pressure groups"?
In year (2000), the Imams of Mosques
in another Western Canadian city announced for the Eid prayer on 29th Ramadhan
at about noon time (no wait for sunset) that the Eid will be tomorrow because
Saudi Arabia has announced for Eid on Friday. At the same time these Imams were
asking the people to see the crescent in the evening and let them know if they
see the crescent. No one saw the crescent (at least to my knowledge) but Eid
was celebrated as announced. Is this not a joke with Islam? Why these
Moulvees were asking people to see crescent in the evening while they had
already made the decision? There are several other horrible jokes which some of
our Imams are making with the Shari'a. They do not care to fulfill the
Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) of crescent sighting? Why bother
to look for crescent? May Allah give us refuge from Satan.
A Forgotten Aspect of Crescent
Sighting
The predetermination of Ramadhan and
Eid dates or following Saudi Arabian or other Muslim country dates has taken
away a very important component of Ramadhan and Eid celebrations. That
component is Crescent Sighting. Crescent sighting is a part of
celebrations. Our new generation born in North America, Europe, Australia etc.
does not even know what crescent sighting is? Why is it important?
In Muslim countries on the evening of
29 Sha'ban or 29 Ramadhan all playgrounds, open fields and tall buildings used
to get filled with hundreds of adults and children to see the crescent for
Ramadhan. OR Shawwal. The jubilant children and adults with anxious eyes,
excited and happy used to look for crescent at Maghrib (sunset) time. Each
person asking the other have you seen crescent? Have you seen the crescent? If
someone would have seen the crescent he used to get very excited, as he is the
luckiest and important person among that crowd. People would gather around him
and he would point his finger in the direction of the crescent to show the
other people where the crescent was? After observing the crescent Muslims used
to make du'a. After Maghrib, the children used to rush towards their homes and
say Salam to their parents, specially mothers , sisters and grand mothers and
tell them their achievement of crescent sighting with pride. The entire family
used to celebrate the eve of Ramadhan and Eid(s).
Do we know why have we taken away this
Joy and FUN from ourselves and from our children? Imagine the Muslim
community in all cities of North America getting-together on the eve of 29th
Sha'ban, 29th Ramadhan and 29th Dhulqa'dah in large playgrounds or open fields
and celebrating the evenings of these months and looking for crescent. This
will be a joyful eve for the entire family and community. It will also expose
Islamic traditions to the non-Muslims and above all a fulfillment of our
beloved Prophet's (peace be upon him) Sunnah.
What is the best way for
deciding the dates for Ramadhan and Eid?
The best rule for deciding the dates
for Ramadhan and Eid is ONLY ONE rule. That is the rule defined by Allah's
Messenger (peace be upon him).
Rule: When you see the crescent for Ramadhan, you start Ramadhan
and when you see crescent for Shawwal you end fasting. If it is cloudy
or people are unable to see the crescent, complete thirty days of
fasting and then celebrate Eid.
This crescent sighting must take place
in each city, village and town. In non-Muslim countries a committee comprising
of Imams of all the mosques with all school of thoughts and other pious Muslim
residents should decide the start and end dates of Ramadhan. The entire Muslim
community of each city, village and town should participate in crescent
sighting exercise. If at least two-trust worthy Muslims of a city or town are
able to see the crescent they should testify in front of the committee and
committee should decide the dates. If no one from the city or town is able to
see the crescent, everyone in the city or town complete thirty days of fasting
and then celebrate Eid.
Why the Muslims of
Conclusion
Brothers and Sisters, we must go back
to the way of Rasool-ullah (sallallaho alaih-e-wasallam). Lets don't take away
the Eibadah (worshipping) and joy of Crescent Sighting from Muslim Ummah. We
should make decisions based upon local crescent sighting. May Allah give us the
correct understanding of Islam. May Allah help us to be able to recognize and
practice the will of Allah and his Prophet (peace be upon him). May Allah make
us humble not only in front of Him but also in front of people. May Allah bless
us with unity and love for Muslim Ummah. Ameen.
(I have told you what I understood.
The right knowledge is with Allah).
NOTE: ISCC will be holding
several programs on Ramadhan in various cities of
http://www.islamicsupremecouncil.com/
Address: 28 Crowfoot Terrace NW,
Phone: (403)-208-7148