This is translation of the 9th edition of my Bengali book “Chandromash”. About 20 years back, I had the opportunity to go though once the book “Al Helal” written by Dr Abdullah Al Maruf, on Ramadan, Eid & Moon. There was little scope for me to think about the matter, as I was lacking the knowledge of Qur’an and Hadith at that time. While searching for the root cause of creating differences in observing Ramadan/Eid worldwide in last few years, I felt the need of writing this book. As I kept thinking on it, the matter started getting clear to me gradually. The matter is in fact within the purview of Qur’an, Hadith and Astronomical science Ummah. There is no scope for analyzing the issue of Lunar month so differently. Because there is no defect in Allah (swt) arrangement, which is otherwise accommodative of all encountering scientific offerings. The problem has, in fact, been created by mankind. There cannot be any alternative to making a single Lunar Calendar for the mankind in one universe, based on one Sun & one Moon; in this day of globalization.
After reaching the 21st century, science has reached an unprecedented progress. In the light of this progress, if the instructions given in science-oriented Qur’an are analyzed, then one can see that our religious events are not being followed as per Shari‘ah. So it has been proved possible that the Muslim Ummah can be united by making and following single Islamic Calendar worldwide by combining and following the latest statistics of astronomical science and in accordance with Qur’an and Sunnah. According to that, I have given calendars in 3rd chapters for 1432, 1433 and 1434 Hijri years. It is now a demand of present day to establish Islamic Shari‘ah firmly after realizing this truth and then following it in the light of Qur’an and Sunnah. If this rule of nature as created by Allah (swt), which is full of science, is not accepted, then it will imply neglecting or disobeying Creator’s rule in respect of the universe.
If we can bring the matter of analyzing Shari‘ah within the purview of Astronomy, only then we will find a solution. Due to overall deficiency of knowledge, the solution could not be achieved as yet. In fact, the sun & moon and day & night are the natural creation of Allah (swt). Allah (swt) & His Rasul (pbuh) had instructed to obey this rule of nature. Different Ulama translated the same Qur’an in the same language in different ways. Because, everyone is not a master and do not have equal knowledge on all subjects, there has to be difference of opinion. Due to lack of optimum knowledge, even the issue of Lunar Month has been understood by certain Alims in one way, explained in that particular way and instructed those to be followed in a certain way. Therefore, for decades, a difference of opinion had been created among Muslim Ummah or the entire mankind about Lunar Month and an unnecessary difficulty is being faced for following teachings of Islam. Since there is a dire need for easy solution of this man-made problem, I had to venture in writing this book.
In the first chapter of the book, the main topics were presented
in 61 episodes, which are based on Qur’an, Hadith, Astronomical Science and other logical analysis. In the second chapter references of 38 Surahs 72 ayats, the meanings of them and their explanations and comments have been given. In the 3rd chapter I have given scientific facts with calendars. In the 4th chapter I have given answers to 75 important questions, on matters of Lunar Month as may come from the common readers. These informations clearly prove & direct that a single Islamic Lunar calendar is needed to be followed universally. Only then it wii be possible to observe Ramadan, Eid & other religious festivals on the same date throughout the world. The book is not meant for any area, country or any locality, but has been written for entire mankind and specially for Muslim
Repetitions may be found in many places in this book, which may annoy the readers that I could not avoid in order to maintain continuity of analyzing the subject matter and emphasizing inner meaning in an easy way. The problem is thousand years old & a knotty one, whose solution is a must. Because with it is related all the receipts and liabilities of true devoted Muslim, in this world and the world hereafter. If you cannot start the Lunar month correctly, then all your prayers of the month can not be correct. People may dare neglecting it, but I don’t dare at all. This led me to embark upon this little venture, whose success is totally dependent on the unbounded mercy of Almighty Rabbul A’lamin. I sincerely hope that my book “Lunar Month” which is based on this standpoint will show ways to mankind & specially the Muslim Ummah. Almighty Allah (swt) will not surely deprive me of a success achievable through my effort. If the thousand years old indiscipline is removed, then I will feel that my effort and expectation of life bore a result.
I can deserve a return from Allah (swt). Once again I appeal & suggest to Muslim Ummah not to waste time in rectifying the meaning of Sura Baqara’s Ayat 189 (part) & establish a historical reform and unitedly obey rule of nature given to us by Allah (swt). Let us not waste the gifted rewards of this world & of the world hereafter.
Presently, world Muslim Ummah is following 2/3 Hijri Calendars and performing Ramadan/Eid in 2/3 days country wise. Whereas, order of Allah is existing in Qur’an to perform Ramadan/Eid worldwide on the same day. But we do not know it, understand it and as such do not obey it. We count a day by 24 hours and within this time perform salat five times. Allah instructed the mankind to count months on the basis of new moons. But we do not do it or knowingly avoid it. We are habituated to count a year by 365 days. As such, our solar year becomes 11 days more in comparison to the Hijri year of 12 lunar months. At present, we can prepare Unified Single World Hijri Calendar on the basis of Qur’an, Sunnah and Astronomical science. Only 4/5 countries including Bangladesh, India and Pakistan count 12 lunar months by naked-eye moon-sighting within their own territory. All other countries in the world follow Hijri Calendar by calculation on the basis of Astronomical science. It is quite possible to perform Ramadan/Eid on the same day, if Hijri Calendar is followed by the world Muslim Ummah. But we do not do this. As a result, our 2 out of 5 main religious functions i.e. Ramadan and Hajj together with many other Fard, Wajib, Sunna & Nafal prayers are getting spoiled.
Procedure for calculation of Lunar Month and Real Hijri Calendar :-
Hijri year counting: There is no Hadith regarding number of months that will make a Hijri year. The reason is Qur’an, which has said about 1430 years before in Sura At-Tawba, Ayat 9:36 that, “From the day of creation of the skies and earth, the number of months are 12 in His law.” As such, we count a Hijri year with 12 lunar months.
Lunar month counting : Hadith says that, “You start fasting by seeing new-moon and give up fasting by seeing new-moon.” This Hadith tells us how we shall keep fasting in the month of Ramadan. Rasul (Pbuh) did not give us any ‘sanad’ (permission) to count 12 lunar months with the help of this ‘Saom’s’ Hadith . Again no such Hadtih is said by Rasul (Pbuh) as to how 12 lunar months are to be counted. There is only one reason behind this. And that reason is Sura Baqara, Ayat 2:189 (part) which says, “They ask you about the (12) new-moons. Say, these are the starters (of 12 months) for the mankind and (fixing date) for Hajj”. As such, the mankind will have to start 12 lunar months with the help of 12 new-moons. In that case, we shall get a single lunar month worldwide whereby all of us will be able to start Ramadan or perform Eid on the same day. Qur’an do not tell us to see the new moon. But Saom’s Hadith tells us to see the new-moon, because at that time it was not possible to count lunar months as per instructions of Holy Qur’an. That is why Rasul (pbuh) has shown us the best possible way through Hadith at that time. In the same manner, it can be said that Hadiths for determining Salat timings with the help of shadow of stick were the best possible way at that time. Now, we almost have forgotten the Hadiths of Salat by getting watch. By this, no Hadith can be said to have been abandoned. Although no Hadith is available for using watch, we perform our ‘Salat’ & ‘Saom’ with the help of it. In the same way, by following a unified single lunar month, we can perform ‘Saom/Eid in one day. Both are the contributions of Modern Science.
Counting of Days : Hadith says that, ‘29/30 days make a lunar month.’ For this reason, we need to count days. Again, we find in many Ayats of the Holy Qur’an that one night and one day make a complete day. Moreover, within a complete day of 24 hours, performing five times salat is made compulsory for us by Allah. Muslim Ummah counts a complete day from one sunset to another sunset. As such, presently, we count a day in second, minute and hour by watch, which is legalized by the Islamic world.
Hijri Calendar : Allah has said in Sura Ar-Rahman, Ayat 55:5 that, “The sun and the moon move according to definitely fixed calculations.” As such, we count a day by sun, a lunar month by moon and a Hijri year by 12 months. This is, in fact, the system of Allah prescribed for the whole mankind of the world and is called Hijri Calendar. But we do not know it or even do not try to understand it. Allah is so great that He has given all of us such a unique natural process for our convenience. But we have accepted the first part of His Ayat (55:5) and kept in abeyance the second part of it. How come, it is possible. Scientists have prepared Hijri Calendar upto 4999 by calculation. But, we should remember that, a Real Hijri Calendar will coincide with the new-moon and full-moon stages and will ensure new-moon sighting from any place of the world. We should, therefore, follow this Real Hijri calendar of Allah and perform Ramadan/Eid etc. on the same day/date throughout the whole world.
Some related facts : –
Seeing has got 3 meanings: i) Seeing by naked eye, ii) Seeing by the eye of knowledge and iii) Seeing through dream. An easy example of the first two meanings is Dhaka-London flight. The plane will be visible for some time by naked eye at the beginning and at the end of the flight. But at the middle, the plane will remain invisible to us. For this we are to blame our limited eye sight and not the plane itself. As such, we must have to see the plane by the eye of knowledge, during the unseen period, with the help of telescope or by gathering information through wireless communication.
New-moon (Black-moon or Dark-moon) : During the first-half-day and last-half-day of any lunar month we shall never see the narrow moon by naked eye from any place on the earth which is 240 thousand miles away from the moon. During rest of the period, we shall see the increasing & decreasing moon by naked eye. But during the new-moon (i.e. black or dark-moon) stage the increasing new-moon and decreasing old-moon exists in the sky. At this time, we shall have to see the moon by the eye of knowledge with the help of telescope or by calculation as per Qur’an (2:189-part, 55:5). This unseen period of the thin moon is called new-moon (black or dark-moon) stage. But the real new moon or ‘Hilal’ starts at the middle of dark stage. It means that, the ‘Qur’anic Lunar month’ starts from the middle of the dark stage of the moon.
Salat timings : Muslims perform all salats depending upon local position of the sun. Accordingly, Friday’s Jum’a Salat is performed on the same day & date within 24 hours by the world Muslim Ummah, at about 1pm as per local time of every place. In the same way all salats (including Eid salats) are to be performed by maintaining time differences word over. It proves that a Unified World Hijri Calendar is to be followed by us. In that case, Bangladesh will be able to start ‘Saom’ and perform Eid salats 3hours before Saudi Arabia on the same day & date. As a result 1or 2 days delay will be automatically abolished.
Full-moon occurs at the middle of the month: – Full-moon generally occurs during sunset of the 14th day of every lunar month. But as per local Hijri calendar and local pocket calendar books of Bangladesh, full-moon occurs during sunset of the 12th day of the lunar month. A lunar month which do not match with the new-moon and full-moon stages, cannot be called a lunar month. For this reason 2/3 Hijri caledars are being used in different places of the world.
Holy Hajj : Everybody in the present day world can see through TV that Holy Hajj is being held in the field of Arafa in Mecca on the 9th of Jilhajj every year. Due to 2/3 types of Hijri calendar, this date will vary in other countries. What they will do with the separate dates of 9th Jilhajj ? Hence, it can be said that Eidul Adha salat and ‘Qurbani’ of other two groups are definitely getting spoiled every year. The fate of their Ramadan and Eidul Fitr Salat must be the same. It proves that there will be only one Hijri Calendar in the world.
Qiamat or Doom’s day : Everybody knows that Qiamat will occur at-a-time on Friday, 10th of Muharram i.e. ‘Ashura’ throughout the whole world. Due to 3 types of Hijri Calendars and starting/ending of Ramadan in 3 groups, it is not clear which calendar the doom’s day will follow. Since Bangaldesh, India & Pakistan always follow the third calendar, there is every possibility of doom’s day coming to these countries one or two days later. It will be a good luck for us, but there is no chance like this. It proves that, there will be only one Hijri calendar in the world.
‘Lailatil Q’dar : Sura Q’dar, Ayat 97:1 says, “Inna anjalnahu phi lailatil Q’dar.” It means, “Surely we have revealed this (Qur’an) in the night of power (honour).” This night of power can never be more than one in the world. This indicates that there will be only one Hijri calendar in the world.
Hadith says; “When the month of Ramadan starts all the doors of the skies and heavens are opened and the hells are closed”-(Bukhari-Muslim). By all considerations, this cannot be a piecemeal job, rather single day affair.
Hadith says; “On the 1st night of Ramadan Devil and bad Jinns are enchained” (Tirmizi-IbnMaja). It indicates starting of Ramadan on the same day throughout the whole world.
Hadith says; “Ummat-e Mohammadi is pardoned on the last night of Ramadan (Eid)”-(Ahmad-Nasayee-Ibn-Maja). This night will also be only one throughout the world.
Many of our prayer’s (rituals) are getting spoiled due to wrong counting of our Lunar months. I refrain from quoting many more examples to shorten the write-up. Muslim Ummah should, therefore, follow a unified single World Hijri Calendar. Until we get a Unified Single World Hijri Calendar, we can blindly follow Saudi Arabia to bring down the level of our losses to a minimum. Let us follow the Islamic Sharia properly which is one & the same for all and does not vary from country to country.
Presently, world Muslim Ummah is following 2/3 Hijri Calendars and performing Ramadan/Eid in 2/3 days country wise. Whereas, order of Allah is available in Qur’an to perform Ramadan/Eid worldwide on the same day. But we do not know it, understand it and as such do not obey it. We count a day by 24 hours and within this time perform salat five times. Allah instructed the mankind to count months on the basis of new moons. But we do not do it or knowingly avoid it. We are habituated to count a year by 365 days. As such, our solar year becomes 11 days more in comparison to the Hijri year of 12 lunar months. At present, we can prepare Unified Single World Hijri Calendar on the basis of Qur’an, Sunnah and Astronomical science. Only 4/5 countries including Bangladesh, India and Pakistan count 12 lunar months by naked-eye moon-sighting within their own territory. All other countries in the world follow Hijri Calendar by calculation on the basis of Astronomical science. It is quite possible to perform Ramadan/Eid on the same day, if Hijri Calendar is followed by the world Muslim Ummah. But we do not do this. As a result, our 2 out of 5 main religious functions i.e. Ramadan and Hajj together with many other Fard, Wajib, Sunna & Nafal prayers are getting spoiled.
Some information about preparation of a Real Hijri Calendar :-
1. Hijri year counting:There is no Hadith regarding number of months that will make a Hijri year. The reason is, in Sura At-Tawba, Ayat 9:36 Allah has said about 1420 years before that, “From the day of creation of the skies and earth, the number of months in a year is 12 in His law.” As such, we count a Hijri year with 12 lunar months.
2. Lunar month counting :Hadith says that, “You start fasting by seeing new-moon and give up fasting by seeing new-moon.” This Hadith tells us how we shall keep fasting in the month of Ramadan. Rasul (Pbuh) did not give us any ‘sanad’ (permission) to count 12 lunar months with the help of this ‘Saom’s’ Hadith . Again no such Hadtih is said by Rasul (Pbuh) as to how 12 lunar months are to be counted. There is only one reason behind this. And that reason is Sura Baqara, Ayat 2:189 (part) which says, “They ask you about the (12) new-moons. Say, these are the starters (of 12 months) for the mankind and (fixing date) for Hajj”. As such, the mankind will have to start 12 lunar months with the help of 12 new-moons. In that case, we shall get a single lunar month worldwide whereby all of us will be able to start Ramadan or perform Eid on the same day. Qur’an do not tell us to see the new moon. But Saom’s Hadith tells us to see the new-moon, because at that time it was not possible to count lunar months as per instructions of Holy Qur’an. That is why Rasul (pbuh) has shown us the best possible way through Hadith at that time. In the same manner, it can be said that Hadiths for determining Salat timings with the help of shadow of stick were the best possible way at that time. Now, we almost have forgotten the Hadiths of Salat by getting watch. By this, no Hadith can be said to have been abandoned. Although no Hadith is available for using watch, we perform our ‘Salat’ & ‘Saom’ with the help of it. In the same way, by following a unified single lunar month, we can perform ‘Saom/Eid in one day.
3. Counting of Days : Hadith says that, ‘29/30 days make a lunar month.’ For this reason, we need to count days. Again, we find in many Ayats of the Holy Qur’an that one night and one day make a complete day. Moreover, within a complete day of 24 hours, performing five times salat is made compulsory for us by Allah. Muslim Ummah counts a complete day from one sunset to another sunset. As such, presently, we count a day in second, minute and hour by watch, which is also a contribution of Astronomical science.
4. Hijri Calendar: Allah has said in Sura Ar-Rahman, Ayat 55:5 that, “The sun and the moon move according to fixed calculations.” As such, we count a day by sun, a lunar month by moon and a Hijri year by 12 months. This is, in fact, the system of Allah prescribed for the whole mankind of the world and is called Hijri Calendar. But we do not know it or even do not try to understand it. Allah is so great that He has given all of us such a unique natural process for our convenience. But we have accepted the first part of his Ayat (55:5) and kept in abeyance the second part of it. How come, it is possible. We should, therefore, follow this Hijri calendar of Allah and perform Ramadan/Eid etc. on the same day/date throughout the whole world. May Allah bless us all and give proper understanding to follow His guidelines.
Some related facts : –
1. Seeing has got 3 meanings: i) Seeing by naked eye, ii) Seeing by the eye of knowledge and iii) Seeing through dream. An easy example of the first two meanings is Dhaka-London flight. At the beginning of the flight, the plane will be visible for some time by naked eye and at the end it will also be visible for some time by naked eye. But at the middle, the plane will remain invisible to us. For this we are to blame our limited eye sight and not the plane itself. As such, we must have to see the plane by the eye of knowledge, during the unseen period, with the help of telescope or by gathering information through wireless communication.
2.New-moon (Black-moon or Dark-moon) : During the first half day and last half day of any lunar month we shall never see the narrow moon by naked eye from any place on the earth which is 239 thousand miles away from the moon. During rest of the period, we shall see the increasing & decreasing moon by naked eye. But during the new-moon (i.e. back or dark-moon) stage the increasing new-moon and decreasing old-moon exists in the sky. At this time, we shall have to see the moon by the eye of knowledge with the help of telescope or by calculation as per Qur’an (2:189-part, 55:5). This unseen period of the thin moon is called new-moon (Black or Dark-moon).
3. Salat timings : Muslims perform all salats depending upon local position of the sun. Accordingly, Friday’s Jum’a Salat is performed on the same day & date within 24 hours by the world Muslim Ummah, at about 1pm as per local time of every place. In the same way all salats (including Eid salats) are to be performed by maintaining time differences word over. It proves that a Unified World Hijri Calendar is to be followed by us. In that case, Bangladesh will be able to start ‘Saom’ and perform Eid salats 3hours before Saudi Arabia on the same day & date. As a result 1or 2 days delay will be automatically abolished.
4. Full-moon occurs at the middle of the month: – Full-moon generally occurs during sunset of the 14th day of every lunar month. But as per local Hijri calendar and local pocket calendar books of Bangladesh, full-moon occurs during sunset of the 12th day of the lunar month. A lunar month which do not match with the new-moon and full-moon stages, can not be called a lunar month. For this reason 2/3 Hijri caledars are being used in different places of the world.
5. Holy Hajj : Everybody in the present day world can see through TV that Holy Hajj is being held in the field of Arafa in Mecca on the 9th of Jilhajj every year. Due to 2/3 types of Hijri calendar, this date will vary in other countries. What they will do with the separate dates of 9th Jilhajj ? Hence, it can be said that Eidul Adha salat and ‘Qurbani’ of other two groups are definitely getting spoiled every year. The fate of their Ramadan and Eidul Fitr Salat must be the same. It proves that there will be only one Hijri Calendar in the world.
6. Qiamat or Doom’s day : Everybody knows that Qiamat will occur at-a-time on Friday, 10th of Muharram i.e. ‘Ashura’ throughout the whole world. Due to 3 types of Hijri Calendars and starting/ending of Ramadan in 3 groups, it is not clear which calendar doom’s day will follow. Since Bangaldesh, Indaia & Pakistan always follow the third calendar, there is every possibility of Doom’s day coming to these countries one or two days later. It will be a good luck for us. But there is no guarantee. It proves that there will be only one Hijri calendar in the world.
7. ‘Lailatil Qadr : Sura Q’dar, Ayat 97:1 says, “Inna anjalnahu phi lailatil Q’dar.” It means, “Surely we have revealed this (Qur’an) in the night of power (honour).” This night of power can never be more than one in the world. This indicates that there will be only one calendar in the world.
8.Hadith says; “When the month of Ramadan starts all the doors of the skies and heavens are opened and the hells are closed”-(Bukhari-Muslim). By all considerations, this can not be a piecemeal job, rather single day affair.
9. Hadith says; “On the 1st night of Ramadan Devil and bad Jinns are enchained” (Tirmizi-IbnMaja). It indicates starting of Ramadan on the same day throughout the whole world.
10. Hadith says; “Ummat-e Mohammadi is pardoned on the last night of Ramadan (Eid)”-(Ahmad-Nasayee-Ibn-Maja). This night will also be only one throughout the world.
Many of our prayer’s (rituals) are getting spoiled due to wrong counting of our Lunar months. I refrain from quoting many more examples to shorten the write-up. Muslim Ummah should, therefore, follow a unified single World Hijri Calendar. Until that time, we can blindly follow Saudi Arabia to bring down the level of our losses to a minimum. Let us follow the Islami Sharia properly which is one and the same for all.
Presently, world Muslim Ummah is following 2/3 Hijri Calendars and performing Ramadan/Eid in 2/3 days country wise. Whereas, order of Allah is available in Qur’an to perform Ramadan/Eid worldwide on the same day. But we do not know it, understand it and as such do not obey it. We count a day by 24 hours and within this time perform salat five times. Allah instructed the mankind to count months on the basis of new moons. But we do not do it or knowingly avoid it. We are habituated to count a year by 365 days. As such, our solar year becomes 11 days more in comparison to the Hijri year of 12 lunar months. At present, we can prepare Unified Single World Hijri Calendar on the basis of Qur’an, Sunnah and Astronomical science. Only 4/5 countries including Bangladesh, India and Pakistan count 12 lunar months by naked-eye moon-sighting within their own territory. All other countries in the world follow Hijri Calendar by calculation on the basis of Astronomical science. It is quite possible to perform Ramadan/Eid on the same day, if Hijri Calendar is followed by the world Muslim Ummah. But we do not do this. As a result, our 2 out of 5 main religious functions i.e. Ramadan and Hajj together with many other Fard, Wajib, Sunna & Nafal prayers are getting spoiled.
Some information about preparation of a Real Hijri Calendar :-
1. Hijri year counting:There is no Hadith regarding number of months that will make a Hijri year. The reason is, in Sura At-Tawba, Ayat 9:36 Allah has said about 1420 years before that, “From the day of creation of the skies and earth, the number of months in a year is 12 in His law.” As such, we count a Hijri year with 12 lunar months.
2. Lunar month counting :Hadith says that, “You start fasting by seeing new-moon and give up fasting by seeing new-moon.” This Hadith tells us how we shall keep fasting in the month of Ramadan. Rasul (Pbuh) did not give us any ‘sanad’ (permission) to count 12 lunar months with the help of this ‘Saom’s’ Hadith . Again no such Hadtih is said by Rasul (Pbuh) as to how 12 lunar months are to be counted. There is only one reason behind this. And that reason is Sura Baqara, Ayat 2:189 (part) which says, “They ask you about the (12) new-moons. Say, these are the starters (of 12 months) for the mankind and (fixing date) for Hajj”. As such, the mankind will have to start 12 lunar months with the help of 12 new-moons. In that case, we shall get a single lunar month worldwide whereby all of us will be able to start Ramadan or perform Eid on the same day. Qur’an do not tell us to see the new moon. But Saom’s Hadith tells us to see the new-moon, because at that time it was not possible to count lunar months as per instructions of Holy Qur’an. That is why Rasul (pbuh) has shown us the best possible way through Hadith at that time. In the same manner, it can be said that Hadiths for determining Salat timings with the help of shadow of stick were the best possible way at that time. Now, we almost have forgotten the Hadiths of Salat by getting watch. By this, no Hadith can be said to have been abandoned. Although no Hadith is available for using watch, we perform our ‘Salat’ & ‘Saom’ with the help of it. In the same way, by following a unified single lunar month, we can perform ‘Saom/Eid in one day.
3. Counting of Days : Hadith says that, ‘29/30 days make a lunar month.’ For this reason, we need to count days. Again, we find in many Ayats of the Holy Qur’an that one night and one day make a complete day. Moreover, within a complete day of 24 hours, performing five times salat is made compulsory for us by Allah. Muslim Ummah counts a complete day from one sunset to another sunset. As such, presently, we count a day in second, minute and hour by watch, which is also a contribution of Astronomical science.
4. Hijri Calendar: Allah has said in Sura Ar-Rahman, Ayat 55:5 that, “The sun and the moon move according to fixed calculations.” As such, we count a day by sun, a lunar month by moon and a Hijri year by 12 months. This is, in fact, the system of Allah prescribed for the whole mankind of the world and is called Hijri Calendar. But we do not know it or even do not try to understand it. Allah is so great that He has given all of us such a unique natural process for our convenience. But we have accepted the first part of his Ayat (55:5) and kept in abeyance the second part of it. How come, it is possible. We should, therefore, follow this Hijri calendar of Allah and perform Ramadan/Eid etc. on the same day/date throughout the whole world. May Allah bless us all and give proper understanding to follow His guidelines.
Some related facts : –
1. Seeing has got 3 meanings: i) Seeing by naked eye, ii) Seeing by the eye of knowledge and iii) Seeing through dream. An easy example of the first two meanings is Dhaka-London flight. At the beginning of the flight, the plane will be visible for some time by naked eye and at the end it will also be visible for some time by naked eye. But at the middle, the plane will remain invisible to us. For this we are to blame our limited eye sight and not the plane itself. As such, we must have to see the plane by the eye of knowledge, during the unseen period, with the help of telescope or by gathering information through wireless communication.
2.New-moon (Black-moon or Dark-moon) : During the first half day and last half day of any lunar month we shall never see the narrow moon by naked eye from any place on the earth which is 239 thousand miles away from the moon. During rest of the period, we shall see the increasing & decreasing moon by naked eye. But during the new-moon (i.e. back or dark-moon) stage the increasing new-moon and decreasing old-moon exists in the sky. At this time, we shall have to see the moon by the eye of knowledge with the help of telescope or by calculation as per Qur’an (2:189-part, 55:5). This unseen period of the thin moon is called new-moon (Black or Dark-moon).
3. Salat timings : Muslims perform all salats depending upon local position of the sun. Accordingly, Friday’s Jum’a Salat is performed on the same day & date within 24 hours by the world Muslim Ummah, at about 1pm as per local time of every place. In the same way all salats (including Eid salats) are to be performed by maintaining time differences word over. It proves that a Unified World Hijri Calendar is to be followed by us. In that case, Bangladesh will be able to start ‘Saom’ and perform Eid salats 3hours before Saudi Arabia on the same day & date. As a result 1or 2 days delay will be automatically abolished.
4. Full-moon occurs at the middle of the month: – Full-moon generally occurs during sunset of the 14th day of every lunar month. But as per local Hijri calendar and local pocket calendar books of Bangladesh, full-moon occurs during sunset of the 12th day of the lunar month. A lunar month which do not match with the new-moon and full-moon stages, can not be called a lunar month. For this reason 2/3 Hijri caledars are being used in different places of the world.
5. Holy Hajj : Everybody in the present day world can see through TV that Holy Hajj is being held in the field of Arafa in Mecca on the 9th of Jilhajj every year. Due to 2/3 types of Hijri calendar, this date will vary in other countries. What they will do with the separate dates of 9th Jilhajj ? Hence, it can be said that Eidul Adha salat and ‘Qurbani’ of other two groups are definitely getting spoiled every year. The fate of their Ramadan and Eidul Fitr Salat must be the same. It proves that there will be only one Hijri Calendar in the world.
6. Qiamat or Doom’s day : Everybody knows that Qiamat will occur at-a-time on Friday, 10th of Muharram i.e. ‘Ashura’ throughout the whole world. Due to 3 types of Hijri Calendars and starting/ending of Ramadan in 3 groups, it is not clear which calendar doom’s day will follow. Since Bangaldesh, Indaia & Pakistan always follow the third calendar, there is every possibility of Doom’s day coming to these countries one or two days later. It will be a good luck for us. But there is no guarantee. It proves that there will be only one Hijri calendar in the world.
7. ‘Lailatil Qadr : Sura Q’dar, Ayat 97:1 says, “Inna anjalnahu phi lailatil Q’dar.” It means, “Surely we have revealed this (Qur’an) in the night of power (honour).” This night of power can never be more than one in the world. This indicates that there will be only one calendar in the world.
8.Hadith says; “When the month of Ramadan starts all the doors of the skies and heavens are opened and the hells are closed”-(Bukhari-Muslim). By all considerations, this can not be a piecemeal job, rather single day affair.
9. Hadith says; “On the 1st night of Ramadan Devil and bad Jinns are enchained” (Tirmizi-IbnMaja). It indicates starting of Ramadan on the same day throughout the whole world.
10. Hadith says; “Ummat-e Mohammadi is pardoned on the last night of Ramadan (Eid)”-(Ahmad-Nasayee-Ibn-Maja). This night will also be only one throughout the world.
Many of our prayer’s (rituals) are getting spoiled due to wrong counting of our Lunar months. I refrain from quoting many more examples to shorten the write-up. Muslim Ummah should, therefore, follow a unified single World Hijri Calendar. Until that time, we can blindly follow Saudi Arabia to bring down the level of our losses to a minimum. Let us follow the Islami Sharia properly which is one and the same for all.
Engineer Muhammad Enamul Huq has put his scientific evidence in the form of a blueprint for the true explanation of astronomy from the Holy Quran – “Simple knowledge speaks about extraordinary things”. Various Islamic books written by him and his autobiography clearly show that his family education, religious values, deep faith in Allah(swt), perseverance, questioning life, sincerity in studying Quran and Hadith, science practice with religious value, honesty, sincerity, integrity, character strength, responsibility alertness, efficiency, strong personality and research on performing Saom/Eid in ages are extraordinary. He can undoubtedly be called a timewinning revolutionary reformer for the Muslim Ummah in the 21st century due to his thought, research, interpretation and forecasting on observance of Saom and Eid in the light of Quran and Hadith. His outstanding explanation and analysis with evidence from Qur’an, Hadith and Astronomy on Saom/Eid throughout the ages are able to guide the Muslim Ummah in the future. His future prediction given in the front page of the book “LUNAR MONTH” written in 2012- “We shall have to observe Ramadan/Eid on the same day and date”- is now almost 100% on the way to implementation. As a true scientist, he has also proposed the creation of a “UNIVERSAL CALENDAR” for the human race in the light of the Qur’an. He hopes that since the Holy Qur’an is the true words of the Creator of the universe, by His will, his proposal will be fully implemented within the next half century.
SHORT SUMMARY:
The history of Saom and Eid is very long. But I will be brief. In the second year of Hijrah of the Prophet (PBUH), Saom for one month became obligatory on Muslims. Saom is one of the five pillars of Islam. Due to this, at least 78 scientific verses have been revealed in 39 surahs about movement of the earth, moon and sun. It is not easy to know and understand those verses. The function of the Hilal is only to start the month. And Sun’s job is to calculate all times including days, dates, weeks, months and years in both solar calendar and Hijri calendar. All these are said in the Quran and Hadith. And while measuring time, a date and time is taken in 24 hours with day and night. In this way weeks, months and years are calculated. To know how the earth, moon and sun move, it is very important to have good knowledge about astronomy.
The order of the Quran is to observe the Saom/Eid according to the Hilal. Not even once in the Qur’an is it said to see Hilal. But 1400 years ago it was not possible for the people to know astronomical calculations. Due to not knowing this calculation and also due to inability to exchange information, the Prophet (PBUH) advised all his Ummah through various Qawoli and Faili Hadiths to observe the obligatory Saom by observing Halal locally with the naked eye. 1400 years ago, all the Ummahs first lived in Madinah. So all his commands were applicable only to the people of Medina. Gradually, this Ummah has spread across the world through different countries and continents. As a result, all the hadiths of the Prophet (PBUH) have now become applicable to the Muslim Ummah as a whole.
But at present scholars living in different countries are unjustly dividing all the hadiths of Rasul (PBUH) into different countries like country divisions. They say that starting from the time of Rasool (PBUH) for hundreds of thousands of years, cities and towns have observed the Helal in every area. They are not willing to accept that this was done due to inability to calculate the Hilal and lack of communication. As a result, an illegal and undesirable culture has been developed in different countries through local observation of Hilal/Kwmar. By this way, the unity of the world Muslim Ummah is greatly damaged.
In 1986 Islamic Fiqh Academy of OIC has passed two historic resolutions that are quoted below:
First: If sighting of the crescent is established in one country, all Muslims must abide by it. The difference in horizon is not relevant because the ordinance for starting and ending the fasting is universal.
Second: It is mandatory to accept the sighting. However, one may get assistance from astronomical calculation and observatories with the consideration to the sayings of the Prophet(PBUH) and scientific facts.
The above decisions for the proper implementation of the instructions of Quran and Hadith were groundbreaking and correct steps in building unity of the Muslim Ummah. The first decision said that Hilal must be seen globally. As such it cannot be seen locally. All the Muslims of the world must comply with the global Hilal sighting in any country of the world. It also states that Hilal cannot be seen locally, because Saom is a universal worship. However, the local ignorant scholars do not accept it and in most of the cases, they are observing the Hilal or Qmaar in the sky of their own country. Because in the past Saom/Eid were done by observing Hilal locally. All faithful Muslims are suffering greatly due to such disorder. I find no reason to disregard the decisions of international Shariah experts of the Supreme Fatwa Board of the OIC. I think OIC has given this decision in the light of Sahih Sunan Annasai-2116 Hadith. However, for the past 38 years, inconsiderate local scholars are not allowing this decision to be fully implemented.
The second decision of the OIC states that observance of global Hilal is mandatory for all. Then the scientific reality can be accepted in the light of hadith. Its purpose is to follow the lunar calendar made as per astronomical calculation. In view of this decision, Muslim astronomers and Shariah experts of Saudi Arabia’s Umm Al-Qura University prepared the “Umm al-Qura Hijri Calendar” for the next 30 Hijri years in 1999. They prepared it by combining the Hilal calculation as per Holy Qur’an with the Hilal sighting in the Hadith. The Muslim Ummah can follow it and observe the Saom/Eid on the same day and date worldwide. Then there will be no need to see Helal at home or abroad.
Shariah experts at the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) prepared an “Islamic calendar” in 2018 with the help of astronomical calculations, by following the Umm Al-Qura Hijri calendar. I have personally checked that there is no difference between the “Umm al-Qura calendar” and the “Islamic calendar” in the dates of Saom and Eid until 2075. So it can be said that the Muslim Ummah can follow any one of them and observe Saom and Eid on the same day and date all over the world. Then there will be no need to see Hilal anywhere else in the world, inshallah. By doing this, all chaos and confusions regarding Saom and Eid that are currently prevailing in the whole world will go away.
