False sightings - a bane of the Muslim Ummah for years - is "not very relevant", says Jibali (Wall Street Journal 1/7/97).

The Islamic way is to go only by the witness, even if false, as long as "he tried to be accurate".

One is amazed by how a sane Muslim can make such a brash statement after going through the Qura'n and the Sunnah.

In recent years several articles have appeared stating that an Islamic month begins only by direct or indirect sighting. Using calculations or any other method for ascertaining the crescent, or questioning any claim by a Muslim is invalid.

Islam has two major holidays, Eid Ul-Fitr (Post-Fasting Festival) and Eid Ul-Adha.

The word Eid itself is an Arabic word, whose root connotation is 'that which comes back, time after time, and rejoicing.' Its particular usage in Islam, for the two major holidays, is because these two days are meant to be days of rejoicing.[1]

The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, "They are days of eating, drinking, and remembrance of God." [Reported by Bukhari in his Sahih, an authoritative collection of the sayings of the Prophet.]

In this same spirit, the Qur'an mentions:

The nights of both Eids, i.e. the nights preceding the Days of Eid, are auspicious occasions which should be observed with reverence and worship.

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said that these nights are great occasions of Ibadat and of gaining the proximity and special Mercy of Allah Ta'ala. These holy nights, should therefore not be allowed to pass by in idleness.

Full advantage should be taken of these opportunities by offering obedience and Ibadat unto Allah Ta'ala to the best of our abilities. Istighfaar (seeking forgiveness for sins), Tilaawat (reciting the Quran), Nafl Salaah, Durood, etc. should be profusely offered on these holy nights.

"Eid is on Tuesday. What d'you mean, we're having our on Wednesday. How come? Hey that's when our mosque is doing it so don't ask me!"

How many of us have had this kind of chat year in year out? Why do we have Eid on two separate days? Why can't the ulema agree to have it on one day? What are the arguments and debates behind the scene? Who's to blame?

The following saying of the Prophet (SAW) should make this clear: "Fast after sighting the moon and end the moon after sighting it. If it is cloudy then complete thirty days of shaban." (Bukhari)

This is an attempt to present a clear perspective of the science of moon-sighting and to clarify some of the common misconceptions about moon-sighting.

Main Factors for Crescent Visibility

Most people associate visibility with the age of the moon. The age of the moon is simply the time lapsed since the new moon. Crescent formation depends upon the angular separation of the moon from the sun as seen from the earth. As time passes from the instant of new moon, the moon moves slower than the sun appears to move (because of rotation of the earth). This causes the angular separation between the sun and the moon and the formation of the crescent. This may be explained better with the help of the following figure.

In the Name of Allah, the Ever Merciful, the Most Compassionate

The excellence of this night in the last ten days of Ramadhaan is well known.The Prophet (SAWS) said:

"Whoever stands (in prayer) Laylatul-Qadr out of Faith and seeking reward, then his previous sins are forgiven." (Bukhari)

And the special du'a for this night is:

Allaahumma, innaka `Afuuwwun, tuHibbul `afwa, fa`fuu `annii

(Oh Allah, you are the One who pardons greatly, you love to pardon, so pardon me) [from the hadiith in at-Tirmithii and ibn-Majah -sahiih]

It has signs, for the Messenger (SAWS) said,

Abû Hurayra radiyallahu `anhu relates that the Holy Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said:

"Whosoever worshipped on Laylatul-Qadr, with faith and with a sincere intention, all of his previous sins are forgiven." (from al-Bukhârî and Muslim)

From the nights of the blessed month of Ramadan, one is known as Laylatul-Qadr and during it, blessings, rewards and an abundance of good can be gained.

Allah Most high has made worship during this night worth than a thousand months, i.e. anyone who spent this night in worship, would have worshipped an equivalent of eighty three years and four months - khayru(n)m-minalfi shahr

Ramadan comes with blessings to the Muslims.

The reports from the Qur'an and the Sunnah encourage an increase in action to get reward as we saw and also out of gratefulness to Allah who says [in meaning]:

"(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must glorify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him" [al-Baqara, 2:185]

and similarly about Hajj;

"So when you have accomplished your rites (of Hajj) remember Allah as you remember your fathers or with a far greater remembrance" [al-Baqara, 2:200]

1 - Eating the Suhoor (the pre-dawn meal)

Suhoor is distinctive of the Ummah of Muhammad salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam;

When was the last time you cried? Not a few drops of salty water from your eyes, or the odd tear that slipped down your face while watching Muhammad, the Palestinian boy screaming in agony.

I’m talking about a flood of tears that won’t stop. Tears that stain your face. Tears that sting your face because they’ve been there so long, their bitter saltiness hurts your skin.

When was the last time you cried like a baby. Back when you, and all of us, were closer to our Fitra, our true nature.