GLOBAL MOON-SIGHTING

Bid'ah & Innovations Bid'ah & Innovations MUJLISUL ULAMA OF S.A. PO Box 3393 Port Elizabeth 6056, South Africa GLOBAL MOON-SIGHTING 1 THE MERRYMAKING CONFERENCE Scholars or so-called scholars from about 50 countries had congregated in Istanbul, Turkey for a three day function of futility to plot a universal Islamic Calendar and a single global zone, and to do away with moon- sighting as commanded by Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Promoting this kufr, Mr. Mehmet Gormez, the president of Turkey’s state-run Presidency of Religious Affairs, said: “There has been a misconception or disregard for scientific facts in the Islamic world. In this day and age, when people can travel to the moon and observe the movements of the sun and moon second by second, in this age of major scientific developments, it was wrong to disregard these developments and insist on observing the new moon with the naked eye by climbing up mountains. God and the prophet tell us to acquire knowledge and use it.” In this flotsam observation, the western bootlicker, Mr. Gormez has demonstrated his stupidity as far as the Shariah is concerned. The command to acquire Knowledge is for obedience to Allah and His Rasool. It is to be equipped for following the Shariah which Allah Ta’ala has revealed, perfected and completed more than fourteen centuries ago. The objective of Knowledge is not to fabricate another man-made ‘shariah’ by westernized bootlickers such as the conglomerate of GLOBAL MOON-SIGHTING 2 morons who had gathered in Istanbul for another merrymaking conference of futility in which millions were squandered whilst millions of Muslims destitute are languishing in grinding poverty, squalor and jahaalat all over the globe. The Shariah does not require climbing up mountains to sight the hilaal as the bootlicker avers. Yes, Allah Ta’ala has commanded that the hilaal be seen with the naked eye. This is the fundamental principle for determining the commencement of the Islamic month. In the sustainment of this Divine principle, all scientific developments will be incumbently disregarded. Nothing can override the Shariah. The conference of moron ‘scholars’ will not succeed in their stupid endeavours to set aside what the Shariah commands. There is a need for Muslim global activity to alleviate the sufferings of the discarded refugees, boat migrants, and the millions of ignorant Muslim children growing up as kuffaar and being weaned off Islam by a variety of inimical, sinister and satanic forces. There is no need for a global zone nor a need to plot a universal Islamic calendar which never were Islamic objectives since the inception of Islam. The idea of a global zone and a unified or one Islamic calendar for the entire Muslim world is not only nonsensical, it is also satanic. It is shaitaan who involves all these moron ‘scholars’ in futile escapades under a deceptive ‘islamic’ tag. Whilst the entire Muslim world is up in flames, these obese, GLOBAL MOON-SIGHTING 3 useless morons engage in merrymaking and squandering the Ummahs’s money on satanic futility. The plot of a universal calendar and the conspiracy to scuttle the Shariah’s Waajib moon-sighting principle will fail miserably. The juhala of this futile conference will not succeed in their satanically motivated plot. The concept of a global Ramadhaan or a global Eid, that is, the beginning of Ramadhaan and the celebration of Eid to be on the same day in every nook and cranny of the world is a stupid haraam concept which has no truck with the Shariah. It is of imperative importance to first and fundamentally understand that the Shariah is not an ever-changing concept nor has it atrophied. The Shariah is not an evolutionary process which may be subjected to the vagaries of the wildly fluctuating opinions of liberal ‘scholars’. The Shariah’s propensity for flexibility is securely fettered to its principles stemming from the Qur’aan and Sunnah. This principled flexibility proscribes unbridled opinion which operates beyond the parameters of Shar’i principles. The attempt by the morons to scuttle the principle of Rooyat (seeing the moon with the eyes) is kufr. It is an attempt to undermine the Shariah. This principle of Rooyat is not the effect of opinion. It is a divine decree. It was ordered by Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi GLOBAL MOON-SIGHTING 4 wasallam) himself. It is an inviolable principle which cannot be put up for dissection and mutilation by a world full of moron ‘scholars’ whose profession has become conferences of futility and merrymaking. On the contrary, the Shariah was handed down by Allah Ta’ala via the agency of the Risaalat of Muhammadur Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) as a perfect and complete Code of Life to cater for the entire world of Muslims in all exigencies. Negating the idea of there being scope for submitting the Shariah to re- interpretation and mutilation by bootlicking and bootlegging ‘scholars’ of the nafs and scholars for dollars, the Qur’aan Majeed states: “This Day have I perfected for you your Deen, and completed for you My Favour, and have chosen for you Islam as the Deen.” It is inconceivable and vastly stupid to understand that despite the perfection and completion of the Deen with its Shariah by Allah Azza Wa Jal, the issues of Ramadhaan and Eid would have been left ambiguous to remain undecided, and that even fourteen centuries later there exists no clarity on these vital issues. The Ummah has been observing Ramadhaan and Eid since the era of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasalam). Islam had ruled half of the globe for centuries. But there were no stupid moves to plot a single or universal Ramadhaan or Eid. All countries, cities, towns, villages and communities GLOBAL MOON-SIGHTING 5 acted according to the Waajib command of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to physically sight the moon and proceed with their acts of Ibaadaat of Ramadhaan, Eid, etc. This attempt by the wayward ‘scholars’ who congregated stupidly in Turkey and also by some other juhala from time to time, are the effects of westernization and of the enemies of Islam and of shaitaan who keeps these bootlicking ‘scholars’ embroiled in stupidities whilst the Muslim world is aflame. If there was any merit in the plot of a universal calendar, there would most certainly have been strong indication in the Hadith. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and the Sahaabah would not have overlooked it. On the contrary, we find in the Hadith the exact opposite of what the morons are contemplating and plotting. The Sahaabah had in fact negated the concept of a global Ramadhaan/Eid. Celebrating Eid on different days is a valid Islamic practice substantiated by the Amal of the Sahaabah. The following narration confirms this fact and explicitly debunks the concept of a global Ramadhaan/Eid: "Kuraib narrates that Ummul Fadhl Bintil Harrith sent him on an errand to Muaawiyah in Shaam. He said: ‘I went to Shaam and fulfilled her requirement and while I was still in Shaam the hilaal of Ramadhaan appeared over me. Thus, I saw the hilaal on the night of Friday. Then towards the GLOBAL MOON-SIGHTING 6 end of the month I came to Madinah and Abdullah lbn Abbaas questioned me. He then spoke about the hilaal and said: ‘Did you (i.e. the people in Shaam) see the hilaal?’ I said: ‘We saw it on the night of Friday.’ He said: ‘Did you see it?’ I said: ‘Yes, and the people saw it and fasted. Muaawiyah too fasted.’ He (Ibn Abbaas) said: ‘But, we saw it on the night of Saturday. Therefore, we shall continue to fast until we complete thirty days or we see it (i.e. the hilaal at the end of the 29th day)." (Sahihul Muslim) Rejecting the idea of a false unity - a unity based on deviation from Shar’i principles and teachings – Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas (Radhiyallahu anhu) reinforced the principle of Rooyat-e-Hilaal (Sighting the moon with the naked eye) as the determinant for commencing Ramadhaan and celebrating Eid. And, the Sahaabah in Madinah did not object to this Ruling of Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Abbaas (Radhiyallahu anhu). He emphasized that the fast in Madinah would continue until either the hilaal was sighted at the end of the 29th day or after fasting a full 30 days. If the stupid idea of global ‘eid’/global ‘ramadhaan’ had any validity, this eminent Aalim among the Sahaabah would not have ignored the sighting in Damascus, and GLOBAL MOON-SIGHTING 7 confirmation by the highest authority of the Islamic World, the Khalifah, Hadhrat Muaawiyah (Radhiyallahu anhu). The information of the hilaal sighting and confirmation was delivered most reliably to Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas (Radhiyallahu anhu), but he issued the verdict that the people of Madinah would go by their own sighting, not the sighting of Damascus. This debunks the corrupt idea of a global calendar/Ramadhaan/Eid. There is simply no merit and no goodness and no reward in the stupid haraam concept which the bootlicking ‘scholars’ are abortively and laboriously attempting to hoist on the Ummah with all the hot air they are puffing. There is absolutely no incumbency on the people of one city or zone to accept the sighting of another city. If the news of one place is conveyed reliably, and if there is convenience in its acceptance, its permissibility is not denied. But hoisting the sighting of one place on to another as an incumbent Shar’i tenet is satanic, stupid and haraam. In fact, the most convenient method is to adhere to the original Command and for all countries, cities, towns, and villages to regulate their own Ramadhaan and Eid affairs. The idea of ‘unity’ based on a global Eid is moronic and the plot of western bootlicking scholars for dollars. All five Salaat are performed at different times in a million places inhabited by Muslims. Such differences do not give rise to disunity. Disunity stems from sin, GLOBAL MOON-SIGHTING 8 disobedience and abandonment of the teaching of the Shariah. Disunity is not the effect of observing the Commands of Allah Ta’ala. And, He has commanded that Ramadhaan and Eid must commence with the actual sighting of the hilaal, not with scientific calculations and whatever the scientists, astronomers and bootlickers say. Explicitly debunking the views of the astronomers and scientists on these issues, the Fuqaha have ruled: The following narration further strengthens the claim that the sighting of the hilaal is essential and in the event of no sighting being reliably reported, thirty days will apply: "Muhammad Bin Ziyaad narrates: ‘I heard Abu Hurairah saying: Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: ‘Fast at its sighting and end the fasting at its sighting. If then the moon becomes hidden on you (on account of weather conditions), then count thirty (days)." "Count or enumerate thirty days" said Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) in the event the hilaal is not sighted at the end of the 29th day. There is no mention and no instruction to resort to astronomy and the birth of the hilaal for the determination of the Islamic months. Imaam Nawawi (rahmatullah alayhi) states in his Sharhul Muslim in the exposition of the statement: “The meaning that it is the calculation of the astronomers is not valid." GLOBAL MOON-SIGHTING 9 Imaam Shaafi further states: "There is no substance in the statement of the astronomer (in so far as the hilaal is concerned). Fasting does not become obligatory with it nor is it (fasting) permissible (with the calculation of the astronomer)." (Irshaadus Saari of Qustulaani) In this regard, Durrul Mukhtaar states: “The statement of the astronomers (regarding the birth of the moon) is of no validity even if they are uprighteous. . . In Al-Wahbaaniyah it is said: “The statements of the astronomers have no effect (i.e. do not make incumbent fasting or ending the fasting)." In Shaami, the following appears: "According to Ijma' (consensus) there is no recognition for the statements of the astronomers. It is not permissible for the astronomer to act according to his calculation (i.e. he should neither commence Ramadhaan nor end Ramadhaan on the basis of his calculations)." Scientific information and astronomical determinations regarding the phases of the moon were known many centuries ago. Astronomy is an old science. The early Astronomy is an old science. The early Muslims were aware of this science. However, the calculations of astronomy were never adopted by the Ummah for the purpose of determining the Islamic months since this GLOBAL MOON-SIGHTING 10 determination is not based on the birth of the moon or the existence of the moon in any sphere or in any particular stage in its orbital movement. It is a known and an undeniable fact that the moon is always present and existing in some position or stage in its orbit. Shar'i laws do not concern with calculations which are beyond the scope and means of the overwhelming majority of mankind. Islam has, therefore, fixed the principle – the simple principle – of SIGHTING the hilaal. This principle is capable of adoption by all mankind, wherever people happen to be. Therefore, in so far as the Islamic months are concerned the existence and birth of the moon have no substance. Sighting the hilaal and in the event of this not being possible, the thirty days rule will apply. While astronomical tables may be accepted for mundane purposes, these are unacceptable for the purpose of determining the Islamic months, not because of unreliability, but because Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has stated the principle to be the SIGHTING of the hilaal. The scheme to substitute the principle of sighting the hilaal with the 'birth' of the moon is, therefore, tantamount to the rejection of the ruling declared by Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Specifically refuting the validity of scientific methodology for commencing Ramadhaan and Eid, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) emphasized: GLOBAL MOON-SIGHTING 11 “Verily, we are an unlettered community (ummatan ummiyatan). We neither write nor calculate. The month is so much and so much and so much, i.e. sometimes it is 29 days and sometimes it is 30 days." When Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "so much and much and so much" he indicated with the fingers of both hands the third time he folded one thumb to indicate 29 days. (Bukhaari Shareef) This simple method of actual hilaal-sighting, 29 days or 30 days was ordered by Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) in an era when astronomy had gained ascendency and when future eclipses of the moon / sun could be predicted with precision. Despite this fact, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) stated the Islamic principle of Rooyat or 30 days. The implication of refuting the validity of scientific methods for this purpose will not be hidden to people of Aql (sound, Islamic intelligence). The universal calendar and Ramadhaan/Eid on one day global theory is in conflict with the Ijma’ of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama’ah which in this era comprises of only the Four Math-habs. In terms of the principles of the Math-habs it is not possible to begin Ramadhaan and have Eid on the same day in all places of the world. The Shaafi’ Math-hab is emphatic in refuting the universal GLOBAL MOON-SIGHTING 12 calendar stunt. The following rulings explain the Shaafi’ position with clarity: “…Verily, for every city is its ruling regarding risings and settings, e.g. the rising and setting of the sun, as Maawardi has said as well as others. This is categorically stated in Al-Kifaayah as well. . . . Thus, it is proper to relate the time of fasting with the risings of Fajr. Imaam Azraee said: ‘The Hadith of Kuraib is narrated by Muslim, Abu Dawood and Tirmizi. Kuffaal mentions it as well as those after him and rely on him. And, the practice according to the majority of Ulama is on it (the Hadith of Kuraib). It is correct and the proof is with it. It is the statement of the Fuqaha among the Taabieen. Imaam Usnawi states in Sharhul Minhaaj: ‘The- re is no doubt that the specific Nass, viz., the Hadith of Kuraib, pertains to Shaam and Hijaaz. In it are to be found the factors of masaafatul qasr (the distance when Qasr Salaat has to be performed), ikhtilaaful aqleem (difference in regional zones), ikhtilaaful mataali' (difference of horizons), and the possibility of non-sighting (in regard to different places). Every group has adopted one of these (factors) and has taken its support from the Hadith of Kuraib.' Imaam Azraee said: ‘It (this view) is well-known by us (Shaafi's). The Jamhoor (i.e. the majority of the Shaaf'i Fuqaha) have authenticated that for GLOBAL MOON-SIGHTING 13 every city is its (own) sighting. Raaf'i and Nawawi too have authenticated it. And, Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala knows best. . .” (Al-Fataawal Kubra) According to the Shaafi’ Math-hab, the factors of Ikhtilaaful Mataali’ and Masaafatus Safar are vital in the determination of the beginning of Ramadhaan and Eid. Only deviates such as the bunch of miscreant ‘scholars’ who converged in Istanbul are ignorant of the Ijma’ and valid differences of the Four Math-habs which may not be ignored or discarded, for these Four Math-habs constitute the inviolable Shariah of Allah Azza Wa Jal Who commands in the Qur’aan Majeed: “Then, We have established you on a Shariah regarding affairs (all affairs). Therefore, follow it, and do not follow the vain desires of those who know not (of the juhala who submit the Deen to their wayward opinions of the nafs).” (Surah Jaathiyah, Aayat 18) The purpose of the phases of the moon is to enable every community to determine and establish the Ahkaam related to the sighting and phases of the hilaal. Thus, the Qur’aan states: “They ask you (O Muhammad!) about the hilaal (its phases- its waxing and waning). Tell them that it is (a calculation of) time for the people and for Hajj.” GLOBAL MOON-SIGHTING 14 In response to this request of some Sahaabah, this Aayat was revealed. The phases of the moon are for calculating, time, the months, the Hajj season, the Iddat of women, etc. The waxing and waning of the moon is for assisting Muslims in these matters which are dependent on the physical sighting of the moon, not on scientific calculations. Furthermore, the differences in the resultant dates are just logical. Uniformity for the entire world in these issues is neither practical nor among the objectives of the Shariah. The Shariah has not placed this burden on the Ummah. These calculations are meant for the entire Ummah whether scientist or village dweller. Scientific expertise does not feature in this issue which applies to each and every Muslims regardless of his knowledge or ignorance. The ahkaam of Islam were revealed for the whole of mankind – for the educated and the illiterate, for the city sweller and the rustic, for the scientist and the nomad in the desert, for those who live in cities, towns, villages, islands, on mountains and in deserts. The laws of the Deen are not subservient to intricate mathematical, astronomical and scientific calculations and determinations. The fulfilment of the commands of the Shariah has been rendered easy by Allah Ta’ala for all and sundry, and it is not a subject for stupid world conferences of stupid ‘scholars’ who converge in halls and hotels to eat and excrete at the expense of the money of the ignorant masses. These juhala GLOBAL MOON-SIGHTING 15 ‘scholars’ are on conference jaunts for nothing but merrymaking. These wayward ‘scholars’ have no serious work nor do they understand the Maqsad (Objective) of life on earth, hence they have time for frolicking, merrymaking and jetting around the world squandering millions of dollars of the Ummah’s money to engage in drivel conferences, stupidly arguing issues which were settled by Divine Decree more than fourteen centuries ago. They conduct themselves as if Ramadhaan, Eid and Hilaal issues are developments of this belated age, 14 centuries after the advent of Nubuwwat. Whilst the Ummah is suffering in every walk of life – poverty, ignorance and oppression, and grovelling in fisq, fujoor, bid’ah and even kufr, these miscreant ‘scholars’ congregating in luxury and waste derive pleasure in merrymaking. Their conferences are nothing but gatherings where they blow a lot of hot air and disgorge hogwash. This conference to plot a uniform Islamic calendar was an affair for clowns. It is devoid of Islamic veracity and validity. It is bereft of goodness. The nomads wandering in the deserts and the rustics in their villages understand hilaal issues better then these ‘academic’ morons whose profession is to vomit flotsam in the name of Islam. Just imagine! Convening conference upon conference for years and assembling scores of moron ‘scholars’ GLOBAL MOON-SIGHTING 16 whose dilettantish attitude and socialism render them person’a non grata in terms of the Shariah. Their dissertations are bunkum. They are simply a conglomeration of insoforia which are a disgrace to Islam. They accord their excrescent views and baseless opinions greater value than the ahkaam of the Shariah. They suffer from moon madness, hence they quibble about the moon fourteen centuries after Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) had stated the simple rules applicable to the commencement of Ramadhaan and Eid. With their subjective opinions heavily influenced by the kufr liberalism of westernism, they seek to remould the Shariah to conform to their egocentric attitudes which have no truck with the Deen. Consider the NNB Jamiat’s participation in this nonsensical conference. They squandered tens of thousands of rands of public, Lillah funds to go for a holiday to Turkey to eat, make merry and excrete. What did they achieve from the silly conference of clowns? They are fully cognizant of the mood in South Africa. The Ulama-e-Haqq here will not submit to any stupid universal calendar faked by any group of liberal sheikhs and molvis. Goodness should not be read into the objective and resolutions of the conference by the participation of ‘scholars’ from fifty countries. A venture will have value only if it conforms with the Shariah. But this conglomerate of liberals and wayward ‘scholars’ have GLOBAL MOON-SIGHTING 17 no Shar’i platform. They raise their structure purely on the basis of opinion. It is ludicrous for so many people to travel from 50 countries, squandering millions of dollars of public funds acquired in dubious and haraam ways to discuss a simple mas’alah which was decided and concluded Divinely more than fourteen centuries ago. The attitude being publicized is to create the perception of a new mas’alah which had not existed in Islam, and which is the effect of science and modernity. These moron ‘scholars’ are involved in haraam from the very time they leave their homes with the intention of participating in a copro-conference devoid of Shar’i reality. They are embroiled in unnecessary haraam intermingling of sexes from the time they leave home. Their conference is in western kuffaar style. The food they gluttonously gobble is carrion, haraam and mushtabah, and served in utensils from which haraam was served to kuffaar. They devour their carrion food in haraam western style. They use western toilets where observing proper Istinja is problematic. In fact, most of these ‘scholars’ are such westernized liberals who lack expertise in the Shar’i methodology of Istinja. They stand and urinate like asses. Their conception of Tahaarat is decidedly western. They sleep in hotel beds in which zina is committed. They answer the stupid invitation of a stupid government which has no valid relationship with Islam. GLOBAL MOON-SIGHTING 18 The funding is haraam. The Turkish governmental agency which has organized the stupid conference to discuss a mas’alah which is found in even elementary Madrasah text books, is funded with the haraam money of the state – money acquired by means of haraam taxation. This entire escapade is nothing other than a holiday for merrymaking in haraam ways, squandering public funds whilst millions of the Ummah are languishing in heart- rending suffering. They are bereft of shame and understanding. Ramadhaan and Eid have been in the Ummah for more than 14 centuries. Muslims are in no need of the silly prescriptions of the miscreant, modernist and deviate ‘scholars’ of the nafs whose only motivation is hub-e- jah (love for fame) and hub-e-maal (love for the dollars). A fitting description of the moron ‘scholars’ whose occupation is merrymaking conferences where only hot air is blown, is the Qur’aanic aayat: “And, among people is he who dispute about Allah (about His Laws) without (sound) knowledge, and he follows every rebellious shaitaan.” Global moon-sighting is an alien concept. It has no validity in the Shariah. A universal calendar is an impractical stupidity having no Shar’i validity. The GLOBAL MOON-SIGHTING 19 only valid method for determining the Islamic months is the principle of Rooyat (seeing the moon with the naked eyes) or having a 30 day month in the event of the moon not being sighted. It is a legitimate Islamic practice for every place to determine the commencement of its own Ramadhaan and Eid days. There is no Shar’i incumbency to accept the sighting of another city, town, country, etc. The controversies created regarding the hilaal are the effects of ignorance. Following the Shariah never gives rise to moon-madness. There ejah heartrending moonsighting reinterpretation