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.

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.

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.

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