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Dear Brother,
Asslamo ALikum

You should differentiate between daily life and special worship occasion where there is a beginning and end.
Note that to pray say Dhuhr the Sun should reach the highest altitude, but to eat or to go to work no need
to have any knowledge of the Sun position.

We have freedom to regulate our daily life provide it does not contradict (directly or indirectly) with our Islamic teaching.
You have a choice to eat what ever you like provide it is lawful and goes with Shariah.

As I mentioned previously, Um UlQura calendar is a conventional calendar to regulate our daily life and as rough guidance
to religious occasions.

Best regards.

----- Original Message -----
From:
To: Dr. Ali Mohammad Al-Shukri
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2005 5:25 PM
Subject: RE: Hilal sighting

Aslamualykum

Shukran for the prompt reply.

Why do they follow the Umm ULQura calendar in all other months except Ramadhaan and Thil Hijjah where they use the Sunnah Method. Is it not contrary to Islam to follow ones own whims and fancies throughout the year but when the holy month of Ramadhaan and Thil Hijjah comes then only they selectively choose the Sunnah method.

Which Aalim of deen is at the fore fromt of such contradicting methods?

Shukran
-----Original Message-----
From: Dr. Ali Mohammad Al-Shukri [mailto:alshukri@kfupm.edu.sa]
Sent: 10 October 2005 03:44
To:
Subject: Re: Hilal sighting
Dear Brother,
Asslamo Alikum

Saudi Government uses Umm UlQura calendar as civil (conventional) calendar for regulating daily life.
For Ramadhan and Hajj, we go with what our Prophet (.S.A.A.W.S) order us to observer, that is to
sight the crescent.
As I explained below in my previous email, It is open to any person to claim sighting the crescent
provided that he is good practicing Muslim. Some times a person claims that he sighted the crescent,
but may be it was some thing else, like a street light, star light, planet light, a curve piece of hair, etc.
Note, it is enough to have a single witness to start the fast and two witnesses to end Ramadhan.
It is simple as that, no complication. If more details and accuracy are required, then there should be
more that one witness. Because it is part of the worship, like prayer and other obligation.
Suppose , not knowing, you have mistaken in the direction of Qibla. Do you thing your prayer is not acceptable ?

Allah says (what the meaning is) " Where ever your direct your face, Allah's face is there."

I am not saying that prayer in any direction, but if unintentionally, you have prayer in the wrong direction, without
discovering that, then your prayer is ok.

Our religion is suitable for every where and at any time and for any nation.
It is clear and simple.

Any comments.

Best regards.


----- Original Message -----
From:
To: Dr. Ali Mohammad Al-Shukri
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2005 2:31 PM
Subject: RE: Hilal sighting

W/salaam

Sheikh which calendar does the Saudi goverment rule by? Is it the Ummul Qura calendar?

We have read articles that for the current month of Ramadhaan which started in Saudia on the 4th of October the moon was not sighted.

Shukran

-----Original Message-----
From: Dr. Ali Mohammad Al-Shukri [mailto:alshukri@kfupm.edu.sa]
Sent: 08 October 2005 04:10
To: Subject: Re: Hilal sighting
Dear Brother
Asslamo Alikum

Please differentiate between the Umm UlQura Calendar (civil calendar of Saudi Arabia) which is based on calculation
and what is actually observed in Saudi Arabia for start and end of month of Ramadhan.

Our religious scholars go with the hadith you mentioned ' sighting the moon’. There is no restriction in the sighting.
if a well known person comes and testify that he observed or sighted the crescent, then the next day is the start
of the month. Note here, one witness is enough. If Allah wants it very accurate and precise sighting, then more
witnesses should be required.
For example, four witnesses are required to testify seeing an adultery act. Not just that, they should testify that
they saw the actual parts in the act. The reason is that the consequences will effect families.
In case of moon sighting, it is a worship.

Of course, a clear FTWA is needed to refute any testimony that is totally in contradiction with calculations.
Then we are making life difficult. Our religion is simple, clear, suitable for scientists and common persons.
And of course valid for every where and at any time and period.

Your comments in welcomed


Best regards.

----- Original Message -----
From: To: alshukri@kfupm.edu.sa
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2005 12:12 PM
Subject: Hilal sighting

Dear Sir
Aslamualykum

I would like to confirm the details regarding the method of the Saudi regarding their month calculation and their philosophy around it.
From Ahadith of Nabi (saw) we only hear about ' sighting the moon’, which means to see it with the naked human eye. I have read a article from yourself regarding the floors in the Saudi method. It seems that there sighting is based completely on calculations and not on Physical sighting of the moon by a Human. Please tell me from a Shariat point of view how do the Saudi Ulama back up their decision to go ahead and begin a month totally on calculations and not on actual sighting by a human?
Are the Saudi citizens that have spoken out against this method?
Who began this method of calculating the months?
Is it Islamic?

Your answerers on these queries of mine will be highly appreciated.
Shukran


Question: Asalamualykum Is the sighting of the moon with the naked eye and act of Ibadat? Can we determine the starting of months by using Astronomical calculations or do we have to sight the moon with the naked eye?


The Answer:
Sheikh Salman al-Oadah writes:

I hold the opinion that Muslims should fast and hold `îd with the people of the country wherein they reside whether they rely on calculations, use both calculations and a crescent sighting, or rely exclusively upon a sighting. Allah likes people to be together and dislikes separation.
Muslims should avoid looking absurd in front of other nations, particularly in highly visible matters such as fasting, `Îd, and the pilgrimage.

----------------------------

From the website editors:

The decision on which sighting to follow (a local one, an international one, or a calculation) must ultimately be made by the scholars in your locality. When that decision is made, everyone must follow it. There is no excuse for different communities within the same region to begin Ramadan and to celebrate `Id on different days. The issue at hand is based on ijtihâd and differences of opinion are allowed in this case. However, when it comes down to implementation, the community must be united. Whoever goes against the majority decision and divides the community is wrong. Therefore, even if you disagree with the ijtihâd that is reached by the majority of the scholars in your country, you must abide by their decision for the sake of Muslim unity.

And Allah knows best.

Fatwâ Department Research Committee of IslamToday.net chaired by Sheikh `Abd al-Wahhâb al-Turayrî
Question: Asalamualykum What is the Ruling regarding the issue of sighting the moon in Saudi Arabia. From the reports that we are getting they says that the moon is not sighted physically by a Human Being but it is astronomical calculations that determines the month in Saudi Arabia. Is this astronomical calculations that is done regarding the moon not against the hadith if Nabi (saw) wherein he said begin when you SEE the moon and end when you SEE the moon?

The Answer:
By Sheikh `Abd al-Wahhâb al-Turayrî
Former Professor at Imam University

Wa `alaykum al-Salâm wa Rahmah Allah wa Barakâtuh

What you said about the crescent sighting in Saudi Arabia is very strange. We have lived in this country as have our fathers before us, and many of us know personally those who saw the crescent themselves and whose testimony was taken into account in certifying the start or end of the month. There are no false claims in this issue whatsoever. I wonder what makes you take up such a serious claim while you can see the problems that the Muslims are facing today and their suffering worldwide.

----------------------------

Dear questioner:

Al-Salâm `Alaykum wa Rahmah Allah wa Barakâtuh.

The moon is sighted in Saudi Arabia as follows: The courts stay open in Saudi Arabia duering the last nights of Sha`bân. The people who sight the Moon must swear an oath that they did so. Then two character witnesses must be provided to attest to the sanity and character of each person who claims to have made the sighting.

Fatwâ Department Research Committee of IslamToday.net chaired by Sheikh `Abd al-Wahhâb al-Turayrî

----------------------------

Please also read the following from our archives:

The Answer:
Sheikh Salman al-Oadah writes:

I hold the opinion that Muslims should fast and celebrate îd with the rest of the people in the country wherein they reside, regardless of whether they rely on calculations, use both calculations and a crescent sighting, or rely exclusively upon a sighting. Allah likes people to be together and dislikes separation.

Muslims should avoid looking absurd in front of other nations, particularly in highly visible matters such as fasting, `Îd, and the pilgrimage.

----------------------------

From the website editors:

The decision on which sighting to follow (a local one, an international one, or a calculation) must ultimately be made by the scholars in your country. When that decision is made, everyone must follow it. There is no excuse for different communities within the same region to begin Ramadan and to celebrate `Id on different days. The issue at hand is based on ijtihâd and differences of opinion are allowed in this case. However, when it comes down to implementation, the community must be united. Whoever goes against the majority decision and divides the community is wrong. Therefore, even if you disagree with the ijtihâd that is reached by the majority of the scholars in your country, you must abide by their decision for the sake of Muslim unity.

And Allah knows best.

Fatwâ Department Research Committee of IslamToday.net chaired by Sheikh `Abd al-Wahhâb al-Turayrî