Question 701 - The Enlightening Answer Across the Ether, Vol 7

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Question 701

Sighting the crescent to determine the beginning of the month In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you, my master and guardian Ahmed. The Exalted said: ‘Ask the people of remembrance if you do not know.’ The Exalted also said: ‘O you who believe, obey Allah, obey the Messenger, and those vested with authority among you. If you dispute concerning anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is better and best in interpretation.’ We read the question appearing in Jurisprudential Answers: Fasting, as follows: ‘Q42: Is sighting the crescent with the naked eye required, or is sighting it through modern equipment such as telescopes and the like sufficient? A: Equipment may be used to determine the location, elevation, and direction, but it is not established unless the crescent is seen with the naked eye.’ However, with the advancement of science, astronomers’ precise observation of the lunar phases, and imaging the moon’s phases at the end of the month through its conjunction and the beginning curvature of the crescent for the month down to the hour and second; in addition to narrations affirming that the crescent can be established through calculation and certain knowledge; and the Noble Quran’s support for meanings of seeing that are not confined to eyesight in His words, the Exalted: ‘He was at a distance of two bow-lengths or nearer. Then He revealed to His servant what He revealed. The heart did not deny what it saw. Will you then dispute with him concerning what he sees? He certainly saw him in another descent’-the heart sees. The Exalted said: ‘Have they not traveled through the earth so that they might have hearts with which to reason or ears with which to hear? Indeed, it is not the eyes that go blind, but the hearts within the breasts that go blind.’ Thus, seeing it in another inward, scientific descent is a sighting of the moon, in accordance with His words, the Exalted: ‘And the moon-We determined for it phases until it returns like an old date stalk.’ This is in addition to the error that may affect eyesight without attaining certain knowledge, in accordance with His words, the Exalted: ‘Indeed, it is not the eyes that go blind, but the hearts within the breasts that go blind.’ Perhaps this scientific development in the features of astronomy is a divine call to unify the nation in the times of fasting and the Muslim festivals. What is your view concerning determining the beginning of the months as between eyesight and certain sciences? We ask Allah to grant us success in serving you and attaining your satisfaction, O Household. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. The lowly servant Abu al-Hasan - Kuwait

Source: The Enlightening Answer Across the Ether, Vol 7; Author: Imam Ahmed Al-Hasan; Question 701; Page Not available; AL-JAWAB-AL-MUNIR-V7-Q701. View Arabic source · Open the original Arabic source ↗