Ahlan wa Sahlan ya Ramadan ...
As we approach the end of the month of Shaban, a tired old subject becomes a center of discussion to participants in Muslim events, even informal dinners and celebrations, and Internet chat groups: the day to start the month of Ramadan!
Both sides of the divide now seem to be perpetually divided over the question -- whether to begin fasting with the visual sighting or according to the scientific calculations for the birth of the crescent.
A Muslim astronomer records his disappointment over the issue: "In the present era of scientific and technological advancement, three decades after man landed on the moon, some Muslims are still avoiding the use of scientific knowledge for making an Islamic calendar ..."
He stresses, "Today, Muslims have expertise and access to technology to understand the calculations of when and where the sighting occurs. Recorded data shows how the science of moon sighting is compared with the actual observations. The results show that calculations of sighting and observations have matched every month since 1993. He also points out that calculations for sighting are surety (haqqul-yaqeen), while claims of sighting have the possibility of suspicion (zann) or mistake.
Islam is a strong proponent of using reason. Muslim scholarship and leadership need to engage in the exercise of reasoning and avoid any confusion. At a time when humanity is either being starved or bombed, the debate on when to start Ramadan must not overwhelm us.
Let us prepare ourselves for a month of blessing that is to arrive shortly. Let us remember the real spirit of caring and sharing of this blessed month (Ramadan). Let us open our hearts and homes to the world and bring healing to all those who are suffering. Let us pray for the freedom of the oppressed, patience for the survivors and prayers for the deceased.
Listen to "Love and Joy is everywhere the month of Ramadan has come" by Kacebbe Abdullah
See Ramadan Information Center at IslamiCity for all your Ramadan needs. |
According to Moonsighting.com the first day of Ramadan will be on Saturday, October 16, 2004 for most of the world except Northern Europe and Northern Asia. England is in a situation that this moon may or may not be seen on October 15.
Ramadan 1425/2004: The birth of moon is on Thursday October 14, 2004 at 2:49 Universal Time. On Oct 14, this moon is going to be 22.4 hours old on West coast of USA, and still impossible to see because it is in the Southern Hemisphere. It may be seen with difficulty in parts of South America, and with ease in Polynesian Islands. It cannot be seen in Japan, Asia, Australia, Africa, and Europe on October 14. It will be visible in most of the world on October 15. However, in Northern Europe and in England, it may not be seen even on October 15, although it is going to be 38 hours old, because it is in the Southern Hemisphere. It is going to be less than 3 degrees above horizon at sunset in England on Oct 15 and the glow of sunlight even after sunset will make it very difficult to see.
Please consult your local Masjid/Islamic Center for the start of Ramadan in your area.
Calendar with Islamic dates in North America
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i think this is a very good article about starting ramadan, for years Muslims in America are divided over this issue and what ends up happening is that even with a distance of 10 miles, Muslims celebrate Eid on different days. Especially in this country it is more important for us to show that Muslims are united.....but instead we tell them that we are not united enough to celebrate our Christmas at same time. i hope soon enough we get over this fight between arbi and desi....and start celebrating our biggest celebration, EID, at same day.
Regards
Talib
I think this article is what we all need in this time of hi tech. the Prophets'and sahaba used the old fashioned way of observing the moon and so should we!
Assalamu Alaikum
Allah says that fasting is especially for me and I am the One who
will reward you for it.
Ramadan is just a day away.
Let's not hide our Ramadan. Ramadan is for everyone.
This year, make the most of it by starting it off right, with
greetings to family and friends.
Brother in Islam
Ibrahim Wahab Bobere
Import Department
Barwil Dubai LLC
Tel : 00971 -4 8818111
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HISS ME,(Ahminat) from Nigeria.
Actualy my comment look like question about the moonsite that is (Rammadan information) please i just want to ask because they called us from north yesterday nighty that they are see the moon.But i receive yourmessage about the moon on my website today that may be we can start the rammadan by (16 of this month)perhpas am not diagree and am not agree but just sedn me more information about the moon and it is true that they see the moon yersterday at north.
In my opinion its become an issue because we have the need to do things on the same day for some reason now (globally) obviously because of advance communications.... and also because we are as an Ummah finding ways to unite ( which is a good thing ) so we make all differences even legitimate one issues.....
May Allah guide us all... and I know that somehow trough all of this chaos we'll find our Siratul Mustaqeen Insha Allah.
He taught us how to practice the religion
I understand he said see the moon and then begin fasting(similarly for ending of fasting)
I'm not sure how advanced Astronomy was at his time,(butI'm sure they could predict birth of the moon)but we were told to see the moon
so, why do we argue the point
This article was absolutely beautiful. Something which you do not get to see or hear alot now a days. It sure did fill up my heart.
Thank you Imam Saadullah Khan.
Asif
Your brother in faaith.
Hassan
I am shocked by reading about moon and calander. There had been a good debate on this topic. It had been told that it is true that science has reached to this point and their calculations are true. BUT, as a Muslim we can not rely on it because OUR beloved Prophet Mohammad sallalaahu alihe wasallam have commanded us not to rely on calculation for the moon sighting. This hadeeth was qouted by SHaikhs in Houston. You can check this hadeeth in Summarized Bukhari in English on page # 441. May Allah guide us and keep us on the right path, aameen
Brian
P.S. The irony is that the country that is thought of to be a land of evil are the ones who are initiating the cure hard as it seems to you right now. Repression will soon be in our past and the children and generations of tomorrow will be the benefactors of our suffering.
It is great to be able to communicate with muslim brothers and sisters from all around the world.
To the Islamicity staff, keep up the good work and may Allah bless you al. Ameen.
May ALLAH bestow us a prosperous and blessing SAWN Ramadan; May He helped the Muslims victim of War and mankind in general. Amen.
TAMSIR GAYE.
I think that the next issue of Islamic city should talk about the misery of the innocent Afghan people.
I AM A REGULAR VISITOR TO YOUR SITE.THOUGH I HAVE NOT YET PAID MY CONTRIBUTION/MEMBERSHIP FEES BUT I AM VERY GLAD TO NOTE THAT YOU HAVE NOT STOPPED E-MAILING OUR WONDERFUL BULLETIN. I WILL IN SHA ALLAH PAY THE FEES SOON AND CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY,NO MATTER HOW SMALL TOWARDS HELPING THE WEAK AND THE HELPLESS BROTHERS WHEREVER THEY MIGHT BE. I WILL IN SHA ALLAH CONTINUE TO PRAY TO ALLAH TO REWARD YOU GENEROUSLY FOR YOUR TIRELESS EFFORTS IN EDUCATING AND UNITING MOSLEMS ALL OVER THE WORLD.
YES, ALHAMDU-LILLAH THE RAMADAN FASTING PERIOD IS FAST APPROACHING. MAY ALLAH ALLOW US TO LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO REACH THE PERIOD AND ACCEPT OUR IBADAT.
BISSALAM.
I pray that you are al well! Jazak-Allahkher the newsletter, i agree that we should not argue over silly things when worse things are going on, SubhannAllah! May Allah reward you for your efforts.
Walacumaslaam wa ramatullahhi Wa Barakatuhu!
i think we can make do with both ways of moon sighting[wallahu allam]
may Allah make this year`s ramadan a happy and fulfilling one for us all,amen.
ma salam.
There is no success, except in the way shown by the Prophet of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. I agree that we should not argue on the start-date of Ramadan, but in any dispute, we must resort to the example of the Prophet. All other paths may be feasible and interesting, but in the absence of a fatwa from agreed-upon Islamic scholars, we should not impose or compel opinions on others who may feel differently. Until there is a consensus among scholars of religion, the way of the prophet must prevail in all times, until the Day of Judgement. These times of Fitnah and the Ummah is divided on many issues. On all of these, let us unite on the way shown by the Prophet, with which there is no debate. There may be many areas where we can use the knowledge of modern times to make our religious practices easier. However, let the decision come from accepted scholars, so that it may be acceptable to Muslims in all parts of the world.
Ramadan Mubarak. May Allah bless you and your family and community, and the whole Muslim Ummah. Jazak Allah for your hard work for the Deen.
Viqar Abbasi,
also a Muslim Astronomer (amateur astronomer, having both studied and worked in the area, and still working in the space industry)
So far that the sight of the new moon is a pillar in deciding whether Ramadan starts or ends; this is also limited by the month in the Islamic Calendar not exceeding 30 days.
If ever someone together with his witnesses tries to claim that he has seen the new moon and he is deliberately mistaking people through a false oath, then this person will be dealt with by Allah the All-Mighty himself.
So, why care about such things that are not under our control but rather rests with the Divinde one, let us bother with issues concerning our NAFS (our self/ conscience), let us win our Jihad-e-Akbar (against our own self) and Insha - Allah the Muslims in the whole world will be reunited under the banner of Islam, forgetting all our differences and being guided by our Khalifa who will take us to our final victory!!!!
This will only be won by propagating love and peace; as said in the Holy Quran surah Al Baqarah, Vs 257 'La iqraaha fid-din' there is no compulsion in religion. This implies that we need not only prevent forceful propagatoin of Islam, but also respect and believe in the other religions, as being at some point in time coming from God.
As a muslim, we have the obligation to believe in
the other religions and other prophets.
So, the choice is pretty clear, and Insha Allah, we will be guided towards our final attainment - Jannatul Fir Dos
Wassalaam
Assalamalaikum
Thank you so much for your mails and updates
Jazakallah
Wassalam
Yours Brother in Islam
Karimullah
In an authentic hadith quoted by both Bokhari and Muslim, the Prophet (SAW) said "start the fast on seeing the crescent of Ramadan and end it on seeing the crescent of Shawwal and if it is hidden from you(clouds etc.) then complete 30 days". What the Prophet (SAW) said some 1300 years ago is recognized as truth by the scientist over the centuries i.e. Observation verifies your theory or calculation! There is no proof that your calculation is correct unless it is supported by observation. That is what I have learnt as an experimental scientist as well.
What the Prophet (SAW) taught us is scientific and very valid even today. Thus we should follow his teachings. Looking for the Cresscent each month is a sunnah of the Prophet(SAW) and we should follow that too.
May Allah guide us all on His straight Path and shower His Mercy and Blessings on us all in Ramadan and always. Aameen.
Am realy enjoy with that quality news,and I also
remember my Islamics brothers and sisters in my
prayers and Jazakallahu khair
BARAKALLAHU WA FIKUM
yes lets open our hearts and once we muslim brother and sisters should start this month of blessing(ramadan) on same date.show the world that we are united.i think we all should send emails to muslim scholars.please we do have our holy book and we can read what is good and what is bad for us. what we need from you all (muslim scholars)is that show every one in the world that you all can be united or make one decision on which day we will start our month of ramadan.
i hope once in the history we will make one decision to start month of ramadan on the same day
in the USA.
As regards the present article, my opinion is that muslims should now avoid conflicting views and refer to the Holy Book.
To me, it's not a problem searching the moon in the traditional way. We either see it or not. And that's what is recommended in the Quran. Nevertheless, the use of technology shouldn't be dismissed. However it should come as a supporting tool, but not as an alternative, because there is no alternative to the Will of Allah. May Allah protect all of us. Amin.