ICNA’s Position on Moon Sighting
JAMAICA, New York (Aug 8, 2009) – Instead of making any moon sighting decisions the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) has decided to guide its members and the general Muslim community to celebrate the beginning of the month of Ramadan and the Eid holidays with their local masajid, communities and Islamic centers.
ICNA would like to see more harmony and unity among the Muslim community at a local level. We hope that American Muslims will observe the month of Ramadan & the Eid holidays with full piety and dignity—making dawah to our neighbors, co-workers and friends as we embrace this joyous season.
We pray that Allah (SWT) showers you and your families with blessings. Please keep us in your prayers and accept our warmest congratulations on this blessed occasion!
I totally agree with ICNA. It would go a long way in bringing Harmony and avoiding conflict, chaos and confusion.
We as Muslims in america are totally lost,or we are trapped in the web of shaitan.I am not taliking about the problem of Ramadan or Eid that all the time we can’t figure it out which day is our Ramadan,but I am taliking about our routin daily prayer in our Masajids that facing towrds LONDON not MECCA. Who is going to solve that? Why North/East direction has become the main Qibllah (LONDON) for American Muslims.This is a 4 th grader geography that Mecca is East/South-east of USA& CANADA. Where this methode of “SHORTEST DISTANCE”came from which is totally against the Quran, and most of the Schollars ignoring the Quran which is (SHIRK, BEDHAT)to change the Direction to Distance.Allah(ST) say; face to the dirction toward Mecca from where you are, we say;to the “SHORTEST DISTANCE TO MECCA.Asteghferoullah thay are talking above Allah(ST).Ask any geographer about “DIRECTION TO MECCA not DISTANCE they will tell you North/East is based on distance, and Eastsouth-east is based on “DIRECTION.One of the Faraiez and requirement of salat is correct qibllah directio, and if the Qiblah is incirrect your salat is invalid…Plus why we don’t care about the methode of Rasulullah(SW)to find the correct qibllah for USA & CANADA.If the Qiblah of North America is NOERTH/EAST than what is the Qibllah of SOUTH AMERICA? How come both places have the same qibllah of North/East? very funny & childish.How abouth South Africa their Qiblah is also North/East. Is North America moved closer to South Afric????
Assalaamu Alaikum, Ramadan Mubarak.
What ICNA is saying goes along with the following video by Sh. Muhammad AlShareef, beautifully explained: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=139980792754963
Earlier, there was a conflict with ISNA regarding declaration of Ramadan or Eid. Now, ICNA has got out of it. In reality, the individual mosjids used to take their own decision regardless of ICNA decistion. By this decision ICNA has come to a top ranking leadership organization. It is now the forum of all groups, moonsighting, calculation, local, global.
I totally agree with Br Arif.
Allah-swt orders to Obey Allah and Obey Prophet in many verses.
The sahih Hadith COMMANDS ‘SEE and FAST” SEE and Break the FAST”or “Complete 30 DAYS”
Sahih Sunnah: Abu `Umair bin Anas said on the authority of his paternal uncles, who were companions of the Prophet (sas):”Some men came riding to the Prophet (sas) and testified that they had sighted the Hilaal the previous day. Prophet (sas) therefore commanded the people to break the fast and to go out to their place of prayer in the morning. “(Ahmad, ibn maja nasaee, Abu Daud).Prophet(s) accepted the testimony from those who were not local or was traveling.
This is in the Fiqhs of all /at least 3 imams: Hanafees, Malik and Hambal. All Imams professed that, ‘if you find something I said or do to be contradictory to Quran/Sunnah, and then leave what I say’ (Imam Shafai ?Iktilaf -ul Matali).
This is the opinion of the many authentic and qualified Scholars. Many of them are against using the calculations; But they gave fatwas and said the first moon crescent sighted anywhere in the world- should be the Universal and determine beginning of Islamic month for all countries in the world including the KSA and not otherwise.
European Council for Fatwa and Research Statement (ECFR)
Determining the Start of the Month of Shawal based on these conditions and the decision passed by the International Fiqh Academy, resolution number 18, during its third assembly in 1986.
Salaam & Eid Mubarak to all Muslims whether they are celebrating on Tuesday or Wednesday. We’re all still Muslim and remain undivided despite such disagreements.
To those, who rightly insist on going by moon-sighting, I invite them also to consider the following: when moon had been sighted, Prophet (SAW) ordered horsemen to race towards neighboring communities to inform that moon has been sighted for Ramadan or Eid. The neighboring communities accepted the news of authenticated new moon-sighting.
Their limitation was speed of horses, but the intent was there to include as many communities as they could even if others did not see the moon.
Had there been phone or website available those days, they would let the entire world community know that moon has been sighted. And, they porobably would make moon-sighting a global decision, not local.
In today’s world, with the help of Internet and electronic communication, when we have valid evidence from a community that moon has been sighted, all Muslims of the world can start the new month.
Last issue we need to settle is whether we estimate birth of moon, or go by moon sighting every new month.
New month beginning should be decided at global level, not local level. Otherwise, how do we establish a global Islamic calendar?
May Allah sbt guide us to be on right path of Islam,and give us power of unity.
This is absurd that we divided on the major events like EID.If we not learning
& didn’t learn being Muslim living in USA we are totally lost.
I have a comment(question as well) on moon sighting and begining of Ramadan and Eid. My friends from (almost) every where of USA and Canada told me “Eid Mubarak” today (Aug 30th). I said them that I am fasting because our local mosque has decided to complete 30 days of fasting as moon was not sighted in North America.Eevery year we get the same problem regarding Ramadan and Eid. My question is: Prophet (PBUH) asked to see moon sight for Ramadan and Eid. Doesn’t it imply the condition that new moon must be there (whether we see it or not for cloud or any other reasons)? Moon must be there otherwise we cannot see the moon and thus without the existence of moon we cannot begin Ramadan or celibrate Eid. If the existence of moon is the condition of begining of Ramadan and Eid then why can’t we decide what should be actual first day of Shawwal month and thus the day of Eid? Regardless we see or not moon follows its natural way as detemined by Allah to circle it orbit? Why can’t our Muslim religious leaders of North America agree on this?
The way Allah swt setup this system, new moon (technical or visible) can never be at the same time or same day everywhere in the world. So what ICNA decided is perfectly legitimate and valid. Unite at the local level and decide as ahead of time as you can based on local sunset / moonset times so people can plan easily.
Brothers,
Please don’t imitate Islam like as Christians. The ordains coming from Vatican, Christians oblige to them. We are not supposed to follow Saudi Arabia. Who are they? Is prophet still controlling Saudi Arabia or the US puppets are there? Plus Prophet (PBUH) had never ever mentioned to anywhere to follow Saudi Arabia to celebrate Islamic rituals. Prophet (PBUH) revealed Islam 1400 years ago which is everlasting and a complete solution. He revealed Islam in such a way that if someone is totally disconnected from the rest of the world but the Quran and Hadith is with him, enough for Siratul Mustaqim.
So, my point is: Let us follow his guidelines whatever he said and what is there in the holy Quran. Please consult to a Mufti (who does not have lust for any worldly matters) regarding any Mas’ala and be stick to that.
Inshallah Allah SWT will guide us in the right path.
Jazakumullah.
Our heartfelt sympathies to the moon-worshippers of the world who looked and looked but couldn’t find it at least in their sky last night. Be not disheartened, you will find it somewhere tonight, iA.
Our sincere advice to the rejecters of the moon-worshipping faith, please do find room in your heart to see that moon comes through stages. It is regional, it cannot be seen globally in exactly the same phase and at the same time, no matter how much they would wish it to be.
Our heartfelt felicitations to the rejecters of both faiths – for believing in One God, One World, One Humanity and One Global Community of Muslims. Maybe one day there would be One Faith to guides us all.
And,
Dire warnings of severe consequences to the leaders of both faiths, if they do not shape up they will be shipped out for sure. If they do not desist using God’s given senses and intelligence, and continue to sow the seeds of discord and division, may the wrath of Allah be upon them both.
And to those who are only here for the ride, who sit on the fences or think it is all in fun and games – no accountability here or reckoning in the hereafter …… the same to you too.
While Christians give light to the world to see in darkness, the Jews give hospitals and procedures to cure blindness and even the Hindus pretend they have the third eye of wisdom to see the unseen, Muslims of the world argue amongst themselves as to who is more blind than the other.
As Salaamu Aalaykum,
its not the end of the world, some of us will have a shorter Ramadan and others will have a longer Ramadan. The world wont implode.
But for those using such foul language to get their message across take a minute to reflect on what you have learned this Ramadan and if this behavior is befitting of a Muslim.
Making the Angels Write Down Curse Words – Kamal El-Mekki
http://youtu.be/YG_FI-k37Bs
Wa Salaam
To my brother who mentioned that moon is 2%>>> please do some research before mentioning on these websites and confusing others. The sunset today was later then moonset so despite the new moon being present it couldnt be seen.Before bullshiting use all the scientific gadgets present ;)
I believe the moon sighting at old times was to confirm the end of Ramadan beyond any doubts. But with so many scientific gadgets available online these days sticking to the old ways doesn’t make much sense. I just checked the Google moon using my current location which clearly shows 2% of the new moon as of now. i.e. August 30, 2011 2:45 am. Is this not enough proof of moon sighting??. Please wake up and show unity at least at one prestigious front.
I don’t understand how you(ICNA) call yourself muslim organization for all Muslim in America and when all Muslim are looking toward you for important decisions you turn around and hide under the table. You people are the biggest FITNA which keeping muslims not being one in this country. I will never send $1 to you or any of these fitna organization rather i will donate it to people directly who need them and make sure I let other muslims know as well.
Go ahead and do your interfaith and hanging out with kafir thing.
“very disappointed”
I have three questions. I hope someone can answer them:
1. What does moon sight-ability has to do with fasting, piety, Muslims or Islam?
2. What people in the world have more blind leading the blind?
3. Which God intervenes making moon visible or invisible to a small group of select people only two times a year – one at the start and the other at the end of Ramadan?
I am happy that ICNA stepped down and allows local mosques to dictate moon sightings. Their authority would supersede the authority of a local mosque to disagree with a moon-sighting or calculation. To each their own and I like the decentralized aspect of Islam. After all it is really a relationship between Allah and ourselves.
I disagree with ICNA’s stance. It is unacceptable that they would allow the communities to do it anyway they so choose b/c IMO they are tired of correcting them.
IANA,ICNA,ISNA, all = FITNA
I just read from various websites on the internet that Saudi Arabia,United Arab Emirates, and other Islamic countries have announced the sighting of the moon and as such have confirmed Tuesday as the day for Eid.
Eid mubarak to all and sundry.May Allah continue to guide,protect, and bless us now and forever
Has any one seen the moon or tried to see it. How many times does one see the moon in the USA? you can write tons of things from Quraan. Does anyone here know what it means
Imam Bukhari reported in his Sahih through a different chain of narrators on the authority of Abdullah bin Omar, may Allah be pleased with both, that the Prophet, Allah’s mercy and peace be with him, said: “The month is twenty nine days, so do not fast UNTIL YOU SEE IT [the crescent], but if it was obscured from you, (only) then complete your count to thirty.”
Bukhari and Muslim reported in their Sahihs on the authority of Abdullah bin Omar, may Allah be pleased with both, that the Prophet, Allah’s mercy and peace be with him, said: Do not fast UNTIL YOU SEE the crescent and do not end your fast UNTIL YOU SEE it, but if it was obscured from you, (only) then estimate for it.”
The Prophet also shared with his companions his specific directive to rely on physical moon sighting (as opposed to calculations). In a hadith that was reported by Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Abdullah bin Omar, the Prophet, Allah’s mercy and peace be with him, said:
“We are illiterate community. We do not write or calculate; a month is this much and this much,” indicating with his fingers 29 days once and 30 days once.
Al-Sarakhsi, a leading Hanafi jurist, argued against calculation on the basis that it was done by an astrologists and fortunetellers:
Among them those who say: we should consult with the people of calculation (hisab) when we are uncertain [about the birth of the new crescent]. This is a far cry because the Prophet, Allah’s mercy and peace be with him, said: “whoever consults with a magician or fortuneteller and believed them in what they said, he has rejected what was revealed to Muhammad.”
Fast when you see the crescent. If it is obscured to you, then complete thirty days of Sha’baan. And break your fast when you see the crescent. If it is obscured to you then fast thirty days, [transmitted by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim].
The true Muslim in any time period is the one who follows the Qur’aan and the authentic Sunnah upon the understanding of the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah, peace be upon him, and the scholars who have followed their way and will follow their way until the Day of Judgment.
What is wrong with us? Why we cannot decide this in advance? Given the advances in Astronomy we should be able to make this decision in few years in advance.
Unity is the GOAL
May Allah bless all of the believers this Ramadan with acceptance of their good works, and forgiveness of all their sins. Amin
What will you do if the power went out, phone/cell phones went out and you had no way to communicate with others the days before Ramadan. When would you start the fast?
Whatever your answer is this is what you should do.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=139980792754963
There is nothing wrong with astronomical calculation of Islamic calender. Allah has given humans knowledge and means to understand the natural phenomena of stars and moon. And Islam is all about getting and using education and using it for the best of humanity.
[...] a large portion of which still visits ICNA.org in hopes of finding the dates for Eid. Click here to go to the post. ICNA Announces Muslim Family Day 20102. ICNA Announces Muslim Family Day 2010 Three [...]