The Two Festivals (Eids)

Pinning Down The Start Of Ramadan Is A Matter of Debate

2010-07-21T01:10:00.000-07:00

Pinning Down The Start Of Ramadan Is A Matter of Debate - Islamic Council Uses Science, Not Sightings of New Moon

More than a billion Muslims celebrate Ramadan, but they don't agree when it begins. Egypt and Saudi Arabia, for example, have said that this year it begins at sunset tomorrow, but Islamic scholars in the United States have said that it begins at sunset today. The differences lie in history.

In the 7th century, the prophet Muhammad instructed his followers to begin fasting when they sighted the new moon that marked the onset of Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar-based Islamic religious calendar.

For centuries, Muslims waited for the religious leaders of their village, city or country to declare that they had seen the new moon. Those leaders resisted using astronomical calculations, which accurately predict a new moon's appearance, because they believed it was necessary to follow their prophet's instructions literally and see the new moon with the naked eye. Because varying geographical and weather conditions meant that everyone did not see the new moon's first appearance, Muslims around the world began fasting on different days.

But a globalized world and a desire for its 1.2 billion Muslims to begin observing Ramadan on the same day have spurred Muslim leaders to use astronomical calculations to determine the first day of Ramadan.

This year, for the first time, the Fiqh Council of North America, an organization of Muslim legal scholars, declared that it would refer to such calculations instead of naked-eye moon sightings to mark the start of Ramadan. The council's decision, posted on the Web site of the Islamic Society of North America ( http://www.isna.net ), drew criticism from some conservative Muslims, forcing the legal scholars to defend their decision.

"Currently, the actual sighting method is causing a lot of difficulties for Muslims all over the world," the council said. "Different countries are claiming sighting on different dates and starting the month of Ramadan . . . on different days. In the West, Muslims face more problems due to starting Ramadan at different timings. . . . The trouble is so great that even the family members are divided on the issue, and young Muslims are utterly confused. . . . The issue of moon sighting is causing problems of discord among Muslims and is a bone of contention all over the Muslim world."

The legal scholars, however, don't expect all Muslims to follow the council's lead.

"The Fiqh Council is not imposing its decision upon anyone," the statement says. "It is our opinion based upon the solid Islamic principles, but people have choices. We encourage every Muslim to follow the majority decision in their local area [mosques]. . . . Muslims must show unity during the month of Ramadan. . . . That is the true spirit of Islam." ( islamfortoday.com )

The Two Festivals-003

2009-02-17T04:26:00.000-08:00

Narated By Al-Bara' : I heard the Prophet (p.b.u.h) delivering a Khutba saying, "The first thing to be done on this day (first day of 'Id-ul-Adha) is to pray; and after returning from the prayer we slaughter our sacrifices (in the name of Allah) and whoever does so, he acted according to our Sunna (traditions)."

The Two Festivals-002

2009-02-17T04:23:00.000-08:00

Narated By 'Aisha : Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) came to my house while two girls were singing beside me the songs of Buath (a story about the war between the two tribes of the Ansar, the Khazraj and the Aus, before Islam). The Prophet (p.b.u.h) lay down and turned his face to the other side. Then Abu Bakr came and spoke to me harshly saying, "Musical instruments of Satan near the Prophet (p.b.u.h) ?" Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) turned his face towards him and said, "Leave them." When Abu Bakr became inattentive, I signalled to those girls to go out and they left. It was the day of 'Id, and the Black people were playing with shields and spears; so either I requested the Prophet (p.b.u.h) or he asked me whether I would like to see the display. I replied in the affirmative. Then the Prophet (p.b.u.h) made me stand behind him and my cheek was touching his cheek and he was saying, "Carry on! O Bani Arfida," till I got tired. The Prophet (p.b.u.h) asked me, "Are you satisfied (Is that sufficient for you)?" I replied in the affirmative and he told me to leave.

The Two Festivals-001

2009-02-17T04:07:00.000-08:00

Narated By 'Abdullah bin Umar : Umar bought a silk cloak from the market, took it to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Take it and adorn yourself with it during the 'Id and when the delegations visit you." Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) replied, "This dress is for those who have no share (in the Hereafter)." After a long period Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) sent to Umar a cloak of silk brocade. Umar came to Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) with the cloak and said, "O Allah's Apostle! You said that this dress was for those who had no share (in the Hereafter); yet you have sent me this cloak." Allah's Apostle said to him, "Sell it and fulfil your needs by it."