RABBI ZIDNI ILMA

Monday, September 25, 2006

Moon Fighting: Final Post Insh'Allah

Asalamualaikum,



Why witnesses in TEXAS were deemed un-credible on 9/22

Two days ago, a friend of mine expressed some cynicism because I wanted to wait for a credible sighting in the US since I wasn’t too sure about the Texas one on Friday night. Soon after in our conversation, I was accused of claiming one of the people whom saw the “supposed’ hilal that day as a liar. Of course I explained myself, and it turned out we were merely discussing, but some of the comments did bug me enough to make another moon fighting post. We go through this every year, and rather than getting better at it, we’ve got more fitnah revolving around this non-issue than ever. Most of my city, and perhaps even this special state started on Saturday, whereas very few Masajids began on Sunday. The split seemed apparent in MOST states, difference lying upon which majority took precedence.

The Masjid I frequent has a radio show on Sundays, and I was under the impression we’d get some clarification in a positive limelight on the confusion of the night before. Rather, they attested to the Shahadas of the witnesses and even had a few of them on the radio show. They also mentioned that whoever did not fast on Saturday have to do a Qada fast in Houston. As compelling as it was, I had a few gripes with some aspects of their argument even though Hafiz Iqbal dropped a few gems in there Mash'Allah. In the end, my heart still didn’t feel comfortable as it did following the Hilal sightings on Saturday Night from the various Hilal committees that have a rigorous tradition of sighting the moon with regards to legitimate reports. I did manage to record the live stream if anyone wants to peep it after they’ve read the article above.

Moon Controversy in Texas [CLICK TO DOWNLOAD] (approx 1.5 hrs)

Anyhow, Alhamdolillah for Ulema and Scholars who follow the moon sighting tradition in a manner that is close and befits our Prophet (saw). I would most definitely include Madarassah Islamiah because they’re very strict on the matter as well, but I’d still like to believe that they were under ‘certain’ pressures. Alhamdolillah for their websites too:

www.chicagohilal.com
www.zaytuna.org
www.hilalcommittee.com
www.ulamaassociation.org/
www.hilalbase.com
www.moonsearch.net

Lastly, I understand the simple laymen need not delve into the matters of the moon, but at the same time we are encouraged each month to go out and look for it. Here’re a few pictures of what I saw right after Maghrib on Sunday 9/24 (my Ramadan DAY 1) at 7:23ish, and took pictures at 7:25pm, 7:27pm, and 7:35pm until some mean looking clouds cast over the area by 7:40pm. Is that a DAY 2 or DAY 3? Hmmmm...if you're a DAY 3, then let me ask:



Crescent on 9/24/06 at 7:25pm
Crescent on 9/24/06 at 7:27pm
Crescent on 9/24/06 at 7:35pm


AllahuAlim to all of this and RAMADAN MUBARAK to all peoples of the world!

-H

5 Comments:

  • Ramadan Mubarak bro. Hope we are able to take advantage of this blessed month. Remember me in your duas.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:05 AM  

  • this is great Alhumduillah, im' writing a paper on moonsighting ws. calculation. I have some of the sources that u have up but some i don't, nice. jazak'Allah
    Ws.

    By Blogger Ninjabi-K, at 4:17 PM  

  • moonsighting "vs." calucation

    By Blogger Ninjabi-K, at 4:17 PM  

  • There's A LOT of info on that, but the best thing I've read in light of refuting caclulations was the loooong paper by Sh. Hamza Yusuf on Zaytuna.org. It literally made ISNA seem like a little baby with dirty diapers...

    By Blogger thestraightpath, at 6:11 AM  

  • i've seen that link...i've been avoiding that( due to the length) i suppose i shouldn't.
    jazak'Allah
    ws.

    By Blogger Ninjabi-K, at 12:31 PM  

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