Articles

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 should a woman who delayed making up for missed fast, due to menstruation, till the start of the next Ramadan?

Whosoever broke fasting in Ramadan, and was able to make up for it, but didn`t until the next Ramadan started, is obliged to make up for the missed days, and to pay the ransom as well. However, if he/she wasn`t able to before next Ramadhaan due to an excuse, then he/she should only make up for the missed days. And Allah Knows Best.

What is the expiation for breaking fast due to being on a journey, or being sick, or being in a state of menstruation?

No expiation is due on the aforesaid categories, but they are obliged to make up for the missed fast. However, if any of them failed to do so while being able to, and the next Ramadhaan has come, then making up for those days is incumbent on him/her , and paying the ransom as well. And Allah Knows Best.

How should a person who is afflicted with continued major ritual impurity (incontinence of urine, bleeding outside the monthly period) perform ablution?

Such a person should make ablution for every prayer after its due time and after removing impurities from their body and outfit, and should place a fresh diaper whenever needed so as for the impurity not to spread out. They should also perform prayer immediately even if incontinence of urine continued, and should repeat the aforementioned for every obligatory prayer, then perform optional prayer as much as they want.

Am I Permitted to Use Ill-gotten Money given to me from Sorcerer's Sons during during my Mother's condolence?

You are permitted to use this money if you were ascertain that the majority of his lawful money surpasses the unlawful one. And Allah Knows Best.