What is the criteria for lunar month calendar?
Abdul Rahim V A
General Secretary, Hijri committee of India
Even today, the Muslim world is discussing this matter a lot, still it has not been able to reach a consensus so far.
But that is as much as we think in this matter We common people also can make an inquiry whether there is conceptual confusion in this regard.
Usually, major controversies regarding dates arise during fasting, Eid, Hajj etc. If we start a search on this topic, the first thing we hear is the prophetic word related to fasting. “If you see, fast, and if you see, break the fast, if it is hidden by a cloud, complete 30”. In fact, there is no other hadith in the sayings of the Prophet that has been so misinterpreted.
Two serious mistakes have been made in the interpretation of this hadith. The first is gave the word “Ruyat” meaning naked eye sight. It is completely absurd, impractical and never fits the context. Actually man is observing the planets.
Quran 9:36-37 states that the calendar was started from the beginning of the universe. Since the beginning of the human race, man has started observing it. The result is that today man has grown to the point where he can touch the sky.
And the second mistake made in the aforementioned prophetic word is very serious. Here it is said to complete 30 once it is covered by the cloud. Cloud is actually a temporary phenomenon. It is also momentary. It is nothing short of superstitious to believe that a momentary object obscuring a planet can change a date itself in a cultured and educated community.
Here, the word ‘Gumma’ has been given the meaning of being hidden by a cloud. But the correct meaning of that word is Amavasi or New Moon if you look it up in the authentic dictionaries. The Prophet explained such an important universal truth to the people in a very simple way. means “….you complete the month in Amavasi”
This is actually the standard for month change. In the Muslim world, only if this criterion is accepted, whether it is by calculation or by sight (observation) There is an end to the uncertainty that exists today. This has been proven through the Qur’an, Prophet hood and science.
This year’s(1444) Shaban started on Tuesday. This month has 29 days. The 29th day is the new moon. On this day the moon is completely hidden from the eyesight of men in the earth. Because the illuminated area of the moon is not facing to the earth. It is the fourth Tuesday of this month. The very next day, Wednesday, begins Ramadan. The Prophet taught us to complete the month on the day of new moon. There for the Ramadan of this year 1444 begins on Wednesday, the Muslim world must enter into fasting.
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