Hadith+
    Beta 2
Help
 
X
GO
Browse All Books    Browse All Topics
LiteView
 
Quick Search 
Sunan an-Nasai 2140 (Book 22, Hadith 51) #16751
Observing the Moon for Islamic Calendar

SUMMARY: The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught that the Islamic calendar is based on observation of the moon and not on astronomical calculations.

It was narrated from Ibn 'Umar that the Prophet said: "We are an unlettered Ummah, we do not use astronomical counting or computation. The month is like this, and this, and this," he did three times, showing it as twenty-nine.
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ بْنِ قَيْسٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ قَالَ ‏ "‏ إِنَّا أُمَّةٌ أُمِّيَّةٌ لاَ نَكْتُبُ وَلاَ نَحْسِبُ الشَّهْرُ هَكَذَا وَهَكَذَا وَهَكَذَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ ثَلاَثًا حَتَّى ذَكَرَ تِسْعًا وَعِشْرِينَ

TOPICS
islami  *  moon  *  calendar  *  islamic  *  observation  *  qamar  *  taqwim  *  ibtidaa

QUICK LESSONS:
Use observation for calendaring ; Emphasize importance of knowledge & education ; Utilize senses & observe nature ; Prefer simplicity over complexity when needed .

EXPLANATIONS:
The hadith narrated by Ibn 'Umar states that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught that Muslims should use observation of the moon to determine their calendar rather than using astronomical calculations. This is because Muslims are an unlettered Ummah and do not have access to such complex calculations. To demonstrate this concept, he showed it three times as twenty-nine days in a month. This hadith teaches us about how important it is to observe nature and use our senses in order to understand our environment better. It also shows us how we can use simple methods instead of complex ones when necessary. Furthermore, this hadith emphasizes the importance of knowledge and education in Islam as well as its emphasis on practicality over theoretical knowledge.

Please use the feedback below to report any discrepancies or concerns.

Feedback           Discuss      Disclaimer     

haluk
  
Prev    Next