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The Moonsighting Controversy: Can Eid al-Adha be separated from the Hajj?

July 14, 2009

Is Eid-ul-Adha connected with the Hajj

In past years, the Saudi announcements for the dates of Eid have been heavily criticised by Muslim astronomers.  Many scholars argue that Muslims around the world are not obliged to celebrate Eid al-Adha the day after the Day of Arafat during the Hajj in present-day Saudi Arabia.  This 10-page article by Hood Bradford discusses the issue, with useful quotes from classical and contemporary jurists.

CONTENTS

1. DETERMINING THE ISLAMIC CALENDAR: GLOBAL VS. REGIONAL SIGHTING
2. DETERMINING THE ISLAMIC CALENDAR: USING ASTRONOMY AND CALCULATIONS
3. EVIDENCE FOR ARAFAH BEING THE DAY THE PEOPLE STAND AT ARAFAH AND EID AL ADHAA COINCIDING WITH THE STONING OF THE JAMARAAT
4. PRAYING WITH THE REST OF THE MUSLIMS IN THE COMMUNITY
5. RUDENESS AND SPEAKING BAD OF OTHERS FOR FOLLOWING AN ISSUE WHICH THERE IS LEGITMATE DIFFERENCE OF OPINION

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Ibn Taymiyyah on Fasting and Moonsighting

July 14, 2009

Ibn Taymiyyah – Fasting and Moonsighting v1 (16 pages including commentary by Usama Hasan)

From the Collected Fatwas of Ibn Taymiyyah (Majmu’ Fatawa Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah), ed. ‘Abd al-Rahman b. Qasim and his son Muhammad, Riyadh, 1398 H, vol. 25 (vol. 5 of the Fiqh Section), pp. 98-113.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Fasting on the day when it might or might not be the first of Ramadan
1.1 Caution in legal matters
1.2 Does the hilal exist only when it is visible, or does it have an independent existence?

2 How far geographically is a hilal-sighting valid?

2.1 The impact of knowledge and communication constraints on this matter
2.2 Travelling to a place where Ramadan began on a different day
2.3 The importance of information in this matter
2.4 The meaning of “hilal”
2.5 Summary of the discussion so far
2.6 A further discussion about the hilal and the Hajj

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Posted in Astronomy, Hadith, Law, Sunnah | 2 Comments »

An Introduction to the Moonsighting Controversy

July 14, 2009

Introduction to Moonsighting Controversy

A good 10-page summary of the main issues, by Rukhsana Begum.

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An Astronomical Aubade – Ibn Hani, Andalusian Poet

June 7, 2009

Magnificent composition by the author and fantastic translation by the late Prof. A.J. Arberry of Cambridge.

Astronomical Aubade – Ibn Hani

Islamic Astronomical Poetry (Powerpoint slides)

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Posted in Astronomy, Literature, Poetry | Leave a Comment »

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