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Statement on Sighting the New Moons
Author : The General Iftaa` Department
Date Added : 07-03-2023

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

All perfect praise be to Allah The Lord of The Worlds. May His Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

Since being entrusted with the task of announcing the beginning of the lunar months, the General Iftaa` Department sights the new moons at the beginning and end of each month in compliance with the verse: "They ask thee concerning the New Moons. Say: They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time in (the affairs of) men, and for Pilgrimage." {Al-Baqarah/189}. The Department has adopted a precise scientific methodology based on scientific data and the examination of reports submitted by the competent authorities of astronomers. The latter perform accurate calculations of the moment the crescent is born and the conjunction occurs, the duration of its stay on the horizon, the possibility of sighting it and they present the findings to the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies.

Accordingly, the Department held a meeting with the astronomical and scientific authorities specialized in sighting the new moons to study the scientific data for the conditions of the birth and sighting of the new moons, among which is the moon of the holy month of Ramadan. The mansions of this moon have been monitored since the beginning of the month of Sha'ban and will continue until the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan is announced. The Department also holds scientific seminars in cooperation with the Arab Federation of Astronomy and Space Sciences, the Jordanian Astronomical Society and the Royal Geographical Centre. In these seminars, scholars of Sharia and astronomers in the Islamic world meet to exchange experiences, scientific updates and scholarly views.

After seeking The Help of Allah first, then the Iftaa` Department and the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies, sought the assistance of the astronomers and scientific committees to sight the new moon of the holy month of Ramadan on the 29th of the month of Sha'ban to prove the sighting of this moon. This is in compliance with the Prophetic directives embodied in the following narration: "Fast when you see it and break your fast when you see it, and if the weather is cloudy treat Sha‘ban as having thirty days." (Bukhari and Muslim).

O Allah, allow us to witness Ramadan and make it a month of blessings for the entire Muslim nation. And all perfect praise Be to Allah The Lord of The Worlds. 

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on I‘tikaf in Ramadan?

I‘tikaf is Sunnah in Ramadan, and it is even more emphasized in the last ten nights, in the hope of witnessing Laylat al-Qadr.

Is it permissible for a husband to sell his wife`s jewelry if he was in a hard up?

A woman`s jewelry and dowry are her own property, and it is forbidden for the husband to take either without obtaining her approval. However, it is desirable for the wife to support her husband through considering her jewelry a sort of documented debt on him.

What is the ruling on a mother giving the Zakat of her wealth to her children?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is permissible for a mother to give her children from the Zakat if they are among those who are eligible for it—such as being poor (Fuqara), possessing no wealth, and not being sufficiently provided for by the maintenance (Nafaqah) of others. This is based on the statement of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ regarding Zaynab, the wife of 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with them both): (Your husband and your children are the most deserving of those upon whom you spend in charity) [Narrated by Al-Bukhari].
 
It is stated in [Al-Hawi al-Kabir, Vol. 8/P.537]: 'As for the wife, it is permissible for her to pay her Zakat to her husband from all the designated shares... Our evidence is the generality of the saying of Allah the Almighty: "Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy", and the Hadith of Abu Hurairah that the Prophet ﷺ said to Zaynab, the wife of 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud: (Your husband and your children are the most deserving of those upon whom you spend), and this is taken in its general sense.' And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What are the Sunnahs and etiquettes recommended for the person offering the Udhiyah?

 
In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
There are several Sunnahs (prophetic traditions) and etiquettes that are highly recommended for the person offering an Udhiyah (sacrificial offering) to observe:
 
First:
It is a Sunnah for anyone intending to offer a sacrifice to refrain from cutting or removing any of their hair or nails once the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah begin. This is based on the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "When the ten days [of Dhul-Hijjah] begin and one of you intends to offer a sacrifice, let him not touch any of his hair or skin." (Narrated by Muslim)
 
However, if someone does happen to remove any hair or nails, they have not committed a sin, and their sacrifice remains perfectly valid.
 
Second:
The person offering the sacrifice should ideally slaughter the animal themselves. If they are unable to do so, they should at least witness its slaughter. This is drawn from what our Master, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), said to Lady Fatima (may Allah be pleased with her):
 
"Stand up and witness your sacrifice, for with its very first drop of blood, every sin you have committed will be forgiven." (Narrated by Al-Tabarani in his Mu'jam, Al-Hakim in his Mustadrak, and Al-Bayhaqi in his Sunan)
 
Third:
Face the Qiblah (the direction of prayer) at the time of slaughtering, as the Qiblah is the most honorable of directions.
 
Fourth:
Pronounce the name of Allah (Tasmiyah) at the moment of slaughter by saying: "Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim" (In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful). Even if one forgets to say it, the meat remains lawful (Halal) to eat. Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, says:
 
"So eat of that [meat] upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned." (Al-An'am: 118)
 
It is also recommended to send blessings upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and to follow it with the Takbeer (Allahu Akbar).
 
Fifth:
Supplicate for acceptance by saying: "Allahumma hadhihi minka wa ilayka, fa-taqabbal minni" (O Allah, this is a blessing from You and is offered back to You, so please accept it from me). This means: This sacrifice is a blessing that originated from You, and I am offering it to draw closer to You. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

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