laws moon sighting

8/8/2019 Laws Moon Sighting

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Lesson 10Lesson 10

Laws of Moon SightingLaws of Moon SightingIs sighting the moonIs sighting the moon

obligatory?obligatory?


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ALBAQARAH (THE COW 185)ALBAQARAH (THE COW 185)

therefore whoever witnesses themonth, he shall fast therein, andwhoever is sick or upon a journey, then(he shall fast) a (like) number of otherdays;


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SHADAH is testimony or witness: And in the English interpretations of the Quran : (four

opinions)1. KNOWS THEBEGINNING: Any one of you who knows

that the month ofRAMADHAN has begun, he muststart to fast-SARWAR

2. WITTNESSES THEMONTH: So let those who witnessit (the month) fast in it- QOLI/MirAhmed

3. WITNESSES THEMOON: Who ever observes the

moon4. PRESENT IN HIS HOME: Therefore whoever of you ispresent in the month, he shall fast therein, -SHAKIR


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ALKHOEIALKHOEI The real existence of this month is the causeof the obligation in fasting it. The plenty narrations indicate that the new

month emerges by the emerge of the sunlight on the moon in a way that it can be seenor sighted.

If such emerge occurs for a region then it isenough for the entire earth, but since thenight does not cover the whole earth at one

time, then the unity of the night should beobserved in the sharing of the moonsighting.

The night sharing regions could be in thesunset and the dawn.


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TABATABAETABATABAE

The witness of the month by the knowledgeof its coming.

It happens by the knowledge of its start.

It does not mean that the moon has to besighted, nor a person must be present in thehome town (in oppose to the travelingperson), for there is no evidence for such

claim. Yes the moon sighting can be an indicationfor the entrance of the month.


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SABZAWARISABZAWARI The criteria is the real existence or the

coming of the month, by moon sighting orby any other measures of such waspossible.

Other scholars of TAFSEER:SHADAH of the month means:

SHADAH of moon, that means every onemust sight, if not then no fasting is

obligated. Being resident in the home town (Sh.

MAKARIM)


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The words of the scholarsThe words of the scholars There are two types of wordings:1. ALKHOEI and SISTANI, when they mention the

rules of proving the holy month they use thefollowing WORDS:

Method of ascertaining the first day of a month (or

the beginning of the month) the focus is on thebeginning of the month. 1739. The 1st day of a month is established in the

following four ways.. The moon is proven by KNOWLEDGE which is

acquired by the personal sighting, or multiplereports or any other ways ,

2. Others used the word method of ascertaining themoon sighting . (the focus is on proving theexistence of the moon)


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Astrologer (MONAJIM) vs.Astrologer (MONAJIM) vs.Astronomer (FALAKI)Astronomer (FALAKI)

Astrologer gives predictions based on theobservations of the movement of the stars,planets and other celestial bodies.

Astronomer is a scientist who makes thepredictions based on the scientific facts andfigures, mathematical calculations, and thescience of astrophysics of the celestial

bodies . The words of the great scholars mention theAstrologer orMONAJIM and some times theastronomer.


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The FATWA regarding theThe FATWA regarding thepredictions of the astronomerpredictions of the astronomer

1741. The first day of a month will notbe proved by the prediction made bythe astronomers. However, if a person

derives full satisfaction and certitudefrom their findings, he should actaccordingly. (laws of S. SISITANI(MAP))

Two conditions:1. Knowledge or certainty2. Satisfaction


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The scholars who support theThe scholars who support thePrediction of the Astronomer:Prediction of the Astronomer:

S. ALKHOEI (MAM) S. KHOMENI (MAM)

S.G

OL

PA

YGHA

NI (MAM

) S. SABZAWARI (MAM) SH. WAHEED KHORASANI (MAP)-QUM SH. MIRZAJAWAD TABREEZI (MAP)-QUM

SH. NASIRMAKARIM (MAP) -QUM SH. FADHILLANKARANI (MAP) -QUM


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Factors of satisfactionFactors of satisfaction An astronomer is a human being who is also subjectedto making errors in his calculations, so there must be

factors of satisfaction.

Such person though he is a human too who might havemade an error in his calculations but his previous record

of in his calculations were almost zero. The experience of the astronomer

If he calculations are supported by other astronomerswho are not linked to him and have their ownobservatories and own resources

The faith and understanding ofIslamic laws could be aplus point in the creating a satisfaction

Other points which might be related to each responsibleindividual (MOKALAF) and so on.


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New MoonNew MoonWhen the Moon is between the Earthand the Sun in its orbit. It can not

be seen for the people of the earth,because dark surfaces faces theearth (the sunlight exists on theother half of the moon which is not

visible to the people of the earth.This typically marks the end of theLunar Cycle which lasts.

When the sunlight or the sunraymoves towards the surface of themoon facing the earth, then thatfirst appearance of the sunlightwhich is visible for the people ofthe earth in a way that they cansight it, is considered the firstcrescent and marks the first day ofthe lunar month.


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The moon cycle:The moon cycle: 29 129 1//22 daysdays


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When can the moon be sighted?When can the moon be sighted?

1. AGE of the moon: Time passed after New MoonBirth. Sighting is possible at different age indifferent months.

2. The age when it can be sighted varies based on thespeed of the movement of the moon, geographicalfactors, seasonal factors, and others. So, agecannot be a criterion for sighting. It could be fromsmaller age (like 17 hours), to larger age (like 23hours). The main factor that makes the moon

visible is the angle between moon-earth-sun. Whenthis angle becomes about 9 degrees, the moonstarts to be visible. How much time it takes to getthis angle depends upon the speed of the moon inits orbit.


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The distance of the moon fromThe distance of the moon fromearth varies in seasonsearth varies in seasons


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Three important factsThree important facts1. If the moon was old enough to be sighted2. If the moon was above the horizon where it can be

sighted3. If the time of moonset was after the sunset

If a person has these three facts, and they are accuratein a way that it gives certainty and satisfaction,then based on the FATWA of almost all theJURIISTS (MOJTAHID), that one must follow thescientific predictions, and the sighting is notrequired.

Reference: TAWDHEEH of all the JURISTS in Persian,Urdu, English, and the laws in Arabic. This can befound in the section of moon sighting in thechapter of the LAWS ofFASTING.


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Moon sighting curve is based on theMoon sighting curve is based on thecalculations of the astronomercalculations of the astronomer


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What is the criteria for followingWhat is the criteria for followingother cities moon sightingother cities moon sighting

There are four opinions regarding thisissue:

Unity of the sunset or the horizon and

closeness of the cities (unity of the sky) Unity of the night (unity of the sky)

Unity of the continent (land)

Unity of the EARTH (land)


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Unity of the horizon andUnity of the horizon andcloseness of the citiescloseness of the cities

That means that the cities share the horizon canfollow each other:

1. They share in the time of sunset2. They share the vertical or horizontal lines in a way

that if the moon is sighted in a city it has to sight inanother if the clouds or mountains were notobstructing.

3. These cities must not be very far (some say 880km).

4. The western regions can follow the sighting in theeastern regions if there was no obstructing factorit would have been sighted.


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Notes:Notes: Close cities in distance which share the

sun set (they share the same sky) (thedifference in the time of sunset is less like5-10 minutes) , these cities can share thesighting because they share the horizon

regardless of being the in EAST or WEST. Far cities which do not share the sun set,

only the western cities can follow thesighting of the eastern cities, if the all fall

under the astronomical visibility curve, thatis if there were no barriers in the westerncities it would have been cited.


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Unity of the horizon andUnity of the horizon andcloseness of the citiescloseness of the cities

Those who support this opinion:

1. S. SISTANI (MAP) -NAJAF

2. S. KHAMENAI (MAP)- TEHRAN3. S. GOLPAYGHANI (MAM)

4. S. KHOMENI (MAM)

5. Sh. NASIRMAKARIM (MAP) -QUM


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Unity of the nightUnity of the night The cities of east and the west can

follow the sighting of each other if theyshare one night.

The reason for the concept of sharingthe night is that the moon is sighted inthe with the naked eye night, so if a citydoes not share the night when the

moon was sighted, then that city cannot depend on that sighting.


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Unity of the nightUnity of the night

The first great scholar who made thisconcept and supported it with strongevidences was the MASTER ofJURISTS

ALSYEDABO ALQASIMALHOEI (MAM) Then some of his strong students followed

him, those who support this concept:1. SH. WAHEEDALKHORASANI (MAP)Qum2. SH. MIRZAJAWADATTABRIZI (MAP)Qum

3. Sh. LANKARANI (MAP) -QUM


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The difference between the unity ofThe difference between the unity ofthe night and the unity of the Horizonthe night and the unity of the Horizon Both theories imply on the cities which share

the same sky, because the moon is sightedin the sky.

Unity of the night indicates that the all the

cities share the same night (under one domeof night from sun set in one region to dawnin another region) have same sky so they canfollow each other, regardless of the west orthe east. (wide range of the sky)

Unity of the sunset or the horizon indicatesthat all the cities share almost the same timeof sunset have same sky, regardless of beingin the west or east as long as they are nottoo far. (narrow range of the sky)


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Unity of the continentUnity of the continent

S. MOHAMMAD SAEED TABATABAEIALHAKIM NAJAF

The west can follow the sighting in theeast

The east can follow the sighting of thewest

If they share the continent


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Unity of the EARTHUnity of the EARTH If any spot on the earth sights it, then it will be

enough for the entire earth. The concept says once the moon is out from the

shadow, then it is out for the entire earth, so on anyspot it is sight, then it is enough for the whole earth.

SH. AFAYAADH- NAJAF SH. BASHEER NAJAF SH. SANIEE- QUM SH. BAHJAT-QUM

This opinion must be supported by some types oflimits, other wise many scholars have criticized it if itis taken absolutely.


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Why on Monday in USA??????Why on Monday in USA?????? Followers ofALKHOEI and all those whosupport the unity of the night and the unity of

the earth, had to fast on SUNDAY in USA,because it was sighted in different parts of theworld on Saturday night.

Followers of others who support the conceptof one continent or the unity of the Horizon:1. There was no authentic moon sighting in USA

on Saturday.2. The astronomical predictions were not at the

level of satisfaction, they predicted thesighting from Florida to California, but none ofthese places which were under thereprediction sighted the moon, which weakenedthe satisfaction.


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EIDEXPECTATIONSEIDEXPECTATIONS Visibility Curve on October23, 2006


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Quiz ofLesson 10Quiz ofLesson 101. ( ) The

Q

uran clearly indicates that one must sightthe moon2. ( ) There is no difference between the

astronomical new moon and the religious newmoon.

3. ( ) If then moon was 14 hours old then if has to beseen.

4. ( ) If the astronomer informs about the birth of thenew moon and his words gave certitude andknowledge then it proves the first day of themonth.

5. ( ) Visibility curve is completely reliable.6. ( ) The cities which share a night they can share

their sighting regardless of their location in thewest or the east.

laws moon sighting

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