Using Technology to Fine-tune Moon Sighting for a Unified Calendar in Nigeria – Sheikh El-Ilory

By Sheikh Muhammed Habibullah Adam El-Ilory (OON)

The recurrent divergence of opinions on moon sighting is not peculiar to Nigeria alone but indeed a global challenge from time immemorial.

The divergence existed even at the time of the companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) between the jurists and the leaders. It will not be wrong to say that the differences of opinions did not only manifest from traditional ways of the sighting but also among jurisprudential views of past eminent scholars and even in the acceptance of the use of modern-day technology.

However, we cannot deny the accuracy and level of advancement in modern-day science and technology compared to traditional means and development in jurisprudence. The importance of science and technology manifests in the modern-day Astronomy which is not in any way conflicting with Islamic tenets. There are diverse verses in the Holy Qur’an promoting Astronomical sciences and explorations that Muslims should not be unmindful of. The Qur’an serves as the book of guidance and primary source of Islamic law to the Muslims.

It is important to mention that the global conflicts in opinions of which Nigeria is not an exception can be resolved by employing science and technology through the knowledge of astronomical sciences as Muslims, before us, had done and as many eminent Islamic scholars of the past had advised.

The difference between Astronomy and Astrology is clear to whoever cares to find out. Astronomy, not astrology, will help to guide as to when the moon should be sighted and when not; and it will also help to verify the validity of any sighting claim. With the knowledge of Astronomy integrated into science and technology, it is possible for us to develop a unified calendar system and this in any way is a commendable form of Ijtihad.

It is pertinent for me to state that the League of Imams and Alfas South West Nigeria (Rabitat-ul-Aimmah wal ‘Ulama) was first established since 1962 in Ibadan but began full operation in 1964 primarily to overseer the affairs of Muslims and coordinate the Imams and Alfas (clerics) in South-West. The League of Imams and Alfas was established to serve as an umbrella coordinating the affairs of the Muslims in Nigeria especially in matters of religious decisions and verdicts.

Among the important reasons the League was established is to guide the Muslims on when to begin and end Ramadan using the information provided by experts in astronomical sciences and technology. It is, therefore, one of the primary responsibilities and a tradition of the League of Imams and Alfas to consult experts and professionals in Astronomical Sciences and Technology to give us the necessary information to base our verdict upon and announce to the people of South West and all Imams therein on when to begin and end Ramadan without suspense.

In addition to the efforts by the League of Imams and Alfas, Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies (MARKAZ, Agege) as an institution established since 1952 is a knowledge and research institution that has also been working actively on this course since inception. This is necessary because a lot of people and organizations both home and abroad need the information to prepare and plan their holidays without delays. However, we have not made it incumbent upon everyone to go by the outcome of our research whenever we make it public.

To rely on the general thinking or perception that we do not need astronomical calculations in moon sighting has contributed in no insignificant measures to prolong the confusion across the globe. The moon as a celestial body has been programmed by Almighty Allah (S.W.T) and this manifests in the choice of language as used in the Qur’an ‘taqdeer’(Q36: 38-40). 

The best interpretation for the word taqdeer is programming. This suggests scientific programming that should be studied and the studies will produce experts of this field. Almighty Allah (S.W.T) instructs us as Muslims to consult experts and professionals as mentioned in the Qur’an, (Q21: 7). With the programming of the moon, experts in astronomical sciences through the use of Science and Technology have helped immensely to develop software applications that can be used to monitor the phases of the moon mentioned in the Qur’an (manaazil) with absolute accuracy. Not only that, but software applications have also been developed to calculate with accuracy the geocentric moon illumination mentioned in the Qur’an (nuur), Q10:5, Q25: 61. So also, the astronomical calculations of the moon as mentioned in the Qur’an have been simplified by the help of science and technology, Q55: 5.

Astronomical calculation has also been captured in the following narration of the Holy Prophet Muhammad as reported by Ibn Umar (r.a.), ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) saying: ‘fast when you sight it (the crescent) and break your fast when you sight it; but if it is not visible to you, then calculate when it should appear’ (Hadith).

It is important to mention that during the second century of Hijra, the Muslims depended on actual sighting. However, the beginning of the third century featured the development in astronomical calculation as a secondary source in determining the beginning of Ramadan as well as the lunar months at certain times, even though it remained debatable.

Eminent tabi‘iy scholars such as Mutarif bn Abdullah Shikheer in the year 78AH was the first to write about the use of astronomical calculations to establish crescent sighting for the beginning of the lunar month. After him was Ibn Muqatil Razi (one of the disciples of Muhammad bn Is-haq Ash-Shaybani who was a student of Abu Hanifa), who also wrote about the use of astronomical calculation to establish the beginning of a new month.

Some others include Qadi Abdul Jabbar, Ibn Qutaybah Ad-Daynuri in the year 276AH, Ibn Shurayh Ash-Shafi‘iy, Ibn Daqeeq, and As-Subki in the year 756AH whose book was to establish the use of astronomical calculation to invalidate any sighting claim which conflicts with astronomical calculation. Even today, eminent leading scholars like Fathi Durayni, Mustafa Zarqa and Yusuf Qaradawi are the main proponents of the use of astronomical calculations as a basis for establishing a new lunar month. This is to mention a few out of the list of scholars who wrote that astronomical calculations should be adopted to fine-tune moon sighting.

In addition, the leaders of the world in astronomical sciences and calculations were eminent Islamic scholars such as Al-Biruni, Al-Khwarizmi, Alhazen and so on. They established astronomical almanac and calendars, made predictions of eclipses and even built observatories (like the one in Baghdad) to facilitate moon sighting and other related matters upon whom the west depended for centuries.

The question now is where, when and how did the Muslims of today get it wrong? Why should we Muslims remain retrogressive in an era when the world is talking about 5G network? This same science and technology have been what most Muslims across the world rely on for times of Salaat. The software applications and knowledge employed are purely based on astronomical calculations measuring out the positions of the Sun at any given time of the day as these positions either above or below the sea levels accurately predict the times of Salaat ahead. Why have we then failed to adopt the same for Ramadan and other months and even develop a standard calendar?

Thinking this is not possible is an indication that one does not exist consciously and intellectually in this present world of 4G and the 5G campaign. Our friends and even critics make use of wristwatches for timing prayers but deny other existing abundant computer applications that reliably tell them so much about the moon, any day, anytime and anywhere with profound accuracy.

I will suggest to his Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji (Dr.) Sa‘ad Abubakar III (CFR), all Muslim professionals, organizations, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and all existing committees on moon sighting working for the success of National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) that there is the need for the establishment of national observatory in Nigeria that will help us keep track of the moon and guide us on the science of its appearance.

I will equally suggest that there should be regular conferences organized in Nigeria to discuss scientifically the basis of sighting claims both from the south and the north and also the basis of announcing when to start or end Ramadan based on scientific findings and information from experts. It will also be honouring if his Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji (Dr.) Sa‘ad Abubakar III (CFR), can give the National Moon Sighting Committee (NMSC) the sole responsibility and power to be in charge of the announcement and only what the appointed members of the committee across the states report will be announced. This will not only ease the task for his Eminence and lift the burden upon him, but also be a great achievement for him at this time for which he will be celebrated.

It is necessary for me to state that there may be differences in jurisprudential matters but these do not indicate disrespect or incitement of hatred and parties involved should not be seen as enemies. If there was no room for differences in jurisprudential matters, there would not have been the emergence of the four prominent schools of thoughts (madhaahib) that we have in the world today. Of course, unity still exists among these schools. They differ in views but not in Islam or faith. We can take a clue from the different views between Caliph Muawiya and the Jurist Ibn Abbas on moon sighting but which did not disturb their relationship and cooperation.

The Hadith from Kuraib relates that Kuraib was sent by Ummul Fadl bint Haris to Caliph Muawiya in Sham, and he returned from Sham to Medina at the end of the month. Ibn Abbas asked him about the crescent and Kuraib answered, ‘we had seen it on Friday night.’ Ibn Abbas said ‘but we had seen it on Saturday night. Thus, we kept on fasting until it reached thirty days or we saw the crescent.’ Kuraib asked him, ‘why don’t you just follow the seeing (sighting announcement) of (Caliph) Muawiya?’ Ibn Abbas replied, ‘No, this is how the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) ordered us to do.’ (Hadith- narrated by Muslim, in hadith no 1087).

The recent uproars and misconstrued reports circulated by some people and organizations to incite hatred and cause conflicts between me and his Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji (Dr.) Sa‘ad Abubakar III (CFR) are nothing but mischievous acts and his Eminence should not see it as a form of disrespect to him or a way of shunning his announcement. To announce the dates to start and end Ramadan on scientific basis and information from experts in astronomical sciences and technology has always been one of our responsibilities at the League of Imams and Alfas South West Nigeria (Rabitat-ul-Aimmah wal ‘Ulama) and at MARKAZ. This in any way does not indicate that the announcement of his Eminence should not be followed. His Eminence should rather appreciate our position rather than be distracted by what some people say. We will always appreciate his Eminence and hold him in high esteem.

I use this auspicious moment of the blessed month of Ramadan to pray on behalf of the League of Imams and Alfas South West Nigeria (Rabitat-ul-Aimmah wal ‘Ulama) and MARKAZ that Allah should bless his Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji (Dr.) Sa‘ad Abubakar III (CFR) with long life, protection, good health, patience, wisdom and piety to continue steering the affairs of the Muslims. I wish him a blessed month of Ramadan that is full of mercy, forgiveness and blessings. I also wish the entire Muslims and leaders of all organizations particularly in South West and the world at large a blessed month of Ramadan. RAMADAN KAREEM!!!

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