Recently a message from the Al-Azhar Masjid in Cape Town, Aspeling Street Masjid states:
Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh,
An announcement has recently been made by our current Imam, Shaykh Ismail Keraan, on behalf of the Imamah and Masjid Committee. It has been decided that starting from next year, by the will of ALLAH, we will observe Eid-ul-Fitr based on scientific calculations. This significant decision has been made with a primary focus on unity among the global Ummah.
Once again, during the recent Eid, many in Cape Town and the broader South Africa were compelled to fast on the day assumed to be Eid while it is forbidden for us to fast on that day. Our Ulamah overlooked the confirmed sightings of the moon in neighbouring countries.
The consistent neglect of Islamic principles over the years prompted us to take the proactive step of using scientific calculations to ensure the accurate celebration of Eid in the future.
We appreciate the proposal put forward by Shaykh Keraan to initiate discussions with other masaajid, leaders, and our followers in a respectful and dignified manner, insha’Allah.
Further updates regarding this matter will be shared in due course.
Thank you.
Baadier Gamieldien
Al-Azhar Masjid Committee
The Sheikh also mentioned in a Bayaan:
“Allah is our witness, we have given enough chances from the year coming onwards in shaa Allah we going to have the start of Ramadhaan with the calculation of the Moon and we will have the Eidul Fitr with the calculation of the moon”
Comment: Allah Ta’alaa is a witness that you openly declared to oppose the way of His Beloved Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam! The representative attempts to make the Ummah feel guilty and in a threatening tone has decided to follow science. Let him and his followers know that we will continue to oppose him, his followers and their claimed lord called science, in particular when they are making such dangerous and ignorant calls.
They have chosen science over Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam when this matter has already been declared.
Allah Ta’aala addresses them in Verse 36 of Chapter 33: Suratul Ahzaab of the Quraan Shareef:
English Translation:
“And it is not open for a believing man or a believing woman once Allah and His Rasool have decided a matter that they should have a choice about their matter. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he indeed falls off the track, falling into open error”
Afrikaans Translation:
“En dit betaam nie ‘n gelowige man of ‘n gelowige vrou – wanneer Allah en Sy Boodskapper oor ‘n saak besluit het – dat daar nog vir hulle ‘n keuse in die saak sal wees nie. En hy wat Allah en Sy Boodskapper nie gehoorsam nie, het inderdaad ‘n verkeerde koers ingleslaan”
Allah Ta’alaa says in verse 7 of Chapter 59, Suratul Hashr:
English Translation:
And whatever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatever he forbids you, abstain. And fear Allah. Indeed Allah is severe in punishment.
Afrikaans Translation:
En wat die Boodskapper julle ook al mag gee, neem dit aan, en wat hy ook al verbeid, bly weg daarvan; en wees bewus van Allah. Waarlik, Allah is streng in die straf.
Imaam Qurtubi Rahmatullahi Alaihi has mentioned that in the above verse the antonym of ata (gives) is naha (forbids). This shows that the verb ata (gives) is used in the sense of amara (commands) which is the direct antonym of naha (forbids). The Qur’aan instead of using the opposite of naha which is amara (commands) employed the verb ata to embrace the subject matter.
Evidence from the Qur’aan Majeed
Imaam Shafee Rahmatullahi Alaihi addressed his congregation: (Ask whatever question you wish, and I will answer from the Quran.) A person said that a pilgrim killed a wasp in the state of ihram and asked: “What is the rule about it?” Imam Shafi` i (رح) recited this verse of the Quran مَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ. (Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it….” and coupled it with a Hadith which gives the injunction relating to the killing of a wasp. [ Qurtubi ].
عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما: ”صوموا لرؤيته، وأفطروا لرؤيته، فإن غَبِيَ عليكم فأكملوا عدة شعبان ثلاثين” ((متفق عليه وهذا لفظ البخاري))
وفي رواية مسلم: ”فإن غم عليكم فصوموا ثلاثين يومًا”
On the authority of Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Abbaas Radhiyallahu ‘Anhu Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam said:
“Observe Saum (fast) on sighting the crescent and terminate it on sighting it (the new moon), but if the sky is cloudy before you, then complete the number (thirty days) of the month.”
(Bukhaari and Muslim)
A principle when deducing the (Fiqh) jurisprudence of Imaam Bukhaari Rahmatullahi Alaihi is to look at the title of the chapters. Thus Imaam Bukhaari Rahmatullahi Alaihi has mentioned this Hadith through the chain of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah Radhiyallahu Anhu: in the chapter “Start observing Saum on seeing the crescent of Ramadan, and stop on seeing the crescent”.
حَدَّثَنَا آدَمُ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ يَقُولُ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَوْ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو الْقَاسِمِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ صُومُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ، وَأَفْطِرُوا لِرُؤْيَتِهِ، فَإِنْ غُبِّيَ عَلَيْكُمْ فَأَكْمِلُوا عِدَّةَ شَعْبَانَ ثَلاَثِينَ ”
Hadhrat Abu Hurairah Radhiyallahu ‘Anhu said: The Prophet (ﷺ) or Abul-Qasim said, “Start fasting on seeing the crescent (of Ramadan), and give up fasting on seeing the crescent (of Shawwal), and if the sky is overcast (and you cannot see it), complete thirty days of Sha’ban.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 1909
Yet another narration of Bukhaari, this time under the authority of Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Umar Radhiyallahu ‘Anhu Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam said:
“The Hadith in which Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) mentioned that “We are an Ummi nation. We do not calculate nor write.”, was for emphasizing the principle of Rooyat-e-hilaal. It was in abnegation of astronomical theories, intricacies, and calculations. In other words, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was saying that there is no need for causing obfuscation with astronomical intricacies. The laws of the Shariah are simple and uniformly applicable to people of all hues and varieties – to the illiterate village dweller and to the scientist.
The determination of the Islamic months is not encumbered by the mass of astronomical mess of calculations which are the preserve of generally the zanaadiqah. There was absolutely no need for ‘experienced astronomers’ to understand and determine the beginning of the Islamic month just as there is no need for these moron ‘scientists’ to understand the times of Salaat. Since the Islamic months are not reliant on such calculations, there never was the need for the input of these moron astronomers and scientists. In fact, they are incapable of providing any reliable input. They excel only in kufr output.” (Source: MOON MADNESS OF THE SCIENTISTS | Islam Reigns (wordpress.com))
