Ramadan thoughts: Al-Hilal vs Al-Hisab
By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net
Crescent signals the beginning of every Islamic month but it is the beginning of Ramadan- that marks the month of fasting- and Shawwal-the end of fasting-that holds special significance to Muslims. Crescent or al-hilal has been part of Muslim life, culture, and literature for over a thousand years.
In medieval era Muslim kingdoms started adopting crescent as symbol of Islam. From Ottomons to Mughals to modern-day countries like Turkey, Pakistan and Malaysia have put up crescent to display their “Islamic-ness.” This obsession with crescent has been so much that Evangelical Christians started believing that Muslims worship a “moon god.”
They ask you, [O Muhammad], about the new moons. Say, "They are measurements of time for the people and for Hajj." [Surah Al-Baqrah; 189]
And that’s what moon is, a measurement of time. There is no religious significance to moon or crescent. It is merely a sign that a new month has began. But is sighting the crescent important to determine the beginning of the Islamic month? or can it also be based on calculations just like now we pray five times a day based on formula derived from the motion of the earth around the sun.
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Observe fast on sighting it (the new moon) and break (fast) on sighting it (the new moon), but if the sky is cloudy for you, then complete the number (of thirty). Sahih Muslim
The hadith quoted above is cited in support of moon sighting as necessary for determining the beginning and end of Ramadan but second part of this hadith also makes it amply clear that there is no religious significance to moon itself. It sky is cloudy and you can’t see the crescent (hiding behind the clouds) then just be on the safe side and do 30 days of fasting.
When we claim that Islam is for all people and for all time then how can we have a calendar where we are not sure about the dates or in the same country different people are on different day of the month?
Imagine a historical event, scientific discovery, or business transaction- how much confusion it will create if it was based on Islamic calendar where two or more parties will be following different dates.
There is a movement to use calculation or al-hisab to determine beginning of months than just waiting to observe al-hilal with naked eyes. There is a blessing in the sighting of the moon and that should be done by those desirous of seeking that blessing. May be run the two systems in parallel for few years to determine the accuracy of the calculation. Once convinced make the calculation an acceptable option for determining the Islamic calendar.
Related:
Hilal hangover: Why Indian Muslims turn Moon sighting into Moon fighting?
Ramadan begins and ends with confusion every year, this year is no exception
Moon Sighting: Hijra Committee prepares a scientific lunar calendar
In Bihar, NGO initiative for Muslim unity through Ramadan calendar