Commencing the new month upon the sighting of the moon
Question
In Kenya, 65% of the Muslims follow Saudi for sightng the moon and 45% of the Muslims follow the Qadhi. What should be done? Because celebrating Eid also depends on Ijma. So who should we follow? The Qadhi or Ijma?
Answer
The Shar'ee law in regard to sighting of the moon recorded in the Hadith is that we commence the new month upon sighting the moon. Hence if the moon was sighted, then on the tenth day thereafter eid-ul-adha will be celebrated.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
عن أبي هريرة : قال قال النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم لا تقدموا الشهر بيوم ولا بيومين إلا أن يوافق ذلك صوما كان يصومه أحدكم صوموا لرؤيته وأفطروا لرؤيته فإن غم عليكم فعدوا ثلاثين ثم أفطروا (ترمذي #684)
- Answered by
- Mufti Zakaria Makada
- Checked & approved by
- Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
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