Moon Sighting- The So Called Calculation vs Actual Sighting Debate

[Aleph]

Oho, aik toh tum hamesha judgemental/emotional hojatay ho :P

Dude, calculation of the moon's orbit was a very precise science even back in the days of Rasulullah (SAW). It was so accurate that lunar calculations back then would need an offset once every 3,300 years! This is unlike Solar calculations that we follow TODAY where we have to add a "leap year" (extra day for Feb) after every 4 years in order to calibrate the calendar properly.

Furthermore, Muslims DID follow calculations even back then. The insistence on the physical sighting though is only apparent to the person who knows this debate in more detail. The birth of the new moon will ALWAYS be an estimation and to follow calculations you would have to assume that the world is flat and that therefore the birth of the new crescent takes place simultaneously across all points on Earth, which is just scientifically hogwash.

So physical sighting is just as scientific as calculations are. It's not a debate of what is more/less scientific, but rather an appreciation of how the relativity of heavenly bodies.

Lastly, please consider the following about the Shawwal moon this time:

1- It was born at around 9 pm Universal Time (Britain).
2- This translates to around 12 midnight KSA time.
3- This translates to early morning Japan time.

So when do these countries individually celebrate Eid? Quite clearly, in Japan it is already morning so they will have to celebrate Eid the NEXT evening (bear in mind that in lunar calendars NIGHT comes BEFORE day; therefore, the new date starts after Maghrib).

Hope this clarifies.

Dude, firstly :doh:.

What confusing arguments that you know something is accurate but you will not follow it.

It is this kind of 'literal-ness' the Muslim world has been dogged with for the last 800 years or so that there has been no single advancement of science from the Muslim world. Somehow, the Muslims world sees science as an enemy where it really is nothing but a tool.

1,500 years ago sightings was the only way to follow lunar calender. Islam follows lunar calender and there is no obligation for which methods to use. Common sense dictates that the most accurate methods of the times should be followed to arrive at a calender - and that's what the Muslim world is against. (Why? I am stumped myself).

I expected more from you. Some how you've made it a part of your faith that practicing 7th century methods for Moon sightings makes a good Muslim, because that's the only reason you'd be sticking to it right? I thought a man of 21st century and especially one educated like yourself would have a better analytic ability. I really did man.

 

[Aleph]

Post # 48 by @Rommel is THE BEST post over here. It shows exactly why this idea of following the solar methodology for the moon's orbit is just crazy!

Please, people:

1- The Earth REVOLVES around the Sun.
2- The moon REVOLVES around the Earth.

These are 2 different things and different points of references! This is why the Jews - who used to follow moon sightings - found it impossible to calibrate their calendars to the solar calendar when they came under the influence of the Romans. With the passage of time they have now changed their calendar completely and follow the solar calculations for their 'lunar' calendar (by adding 11 days to it).

Eid cannot be celebrated on the same day across the Earth simply because it is the moon that is orbiting the Earth and not the other way around.

Tags: @nvra911 @talkingbird2009 @hunter123

 

[Tm10234]

Salaam , bro you are comparing rain prediction with moon location . This has no relation. If there astronomy has no scientific ground then how Grahans perdition becomes true. From your remarks it appears that how are against Wahhabi's . That is triggering element in your mind.

 

[Pakistani1947]

Some how you are not getting the essence of the discussion and you are missing the difference between the path, birth and visibility although they are interlinked but does not necessarily mean that if the new moon is there than it should also be in the visible range.

Following video has a clip from a press conference, by Minister of Science & Technology, Mr. Chaudhry Fawad Hussain. He was describing the process of accurately predicting the sighting of moon, using modern Scientific techniques.

 

[Citizen X]

Salaam , bro you are comparing rain prediction with moon location . This has no relation. If there astronomy has no scientific ground then how Grahans perdition becomes true. From your remarks it appears that how are against Wahhabi's . That is triggering element in your mind.

You do realize this thread is 7 years old!

 

[Pakistani1947]

You do realize this thread is 7 years old!

YES

 

[Citizen X]

YES

Good, but please stop posting from HTV it is the online version of Dr Dabbardoos and Sabir Shakir

 

[Pakistani1947]

Good, but please stop posting from HTV it is the online version of Dr Dabbardoos and Sabir Shakir

I think you did not even watched the video and started commenting. I posted this video because it has a clip from a press conference by Minister of Science & Technology, Mr. Chaudhry Fawad Hussain. He was describing the process of accurately predicting the sighting of moon using modern Scientific techniques.

A piece of advise for you. Sometimes it is not important who is saying but what is he saying:

Narrated Abu Huraira: Prophet Muhammad salallahu alaihi wasallam ordered me to guard the Zakat revenue of Ramadan. Then somebody came to me and started stealing of the foodstuff. I caught him and said, “I will take you to Allah’s Apostle!” Then Abu Huraira described the whole narration and said: That person said (to me), “Please don’t take me to Allah’s Apostle and I will tell you a few words by which Allah will benefit you. When you go to your bed, recite Ayatul Kursi, (2.255) for then there will be a guard from Allah who will protect you all night long, and Satan will not be able to come near you till dawn.” When the Prophet heard the story he said (to me), “He (who came to you at night) told you the truth although he is a liar; and it was Satan.” Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 61 Hadith 530

 

[Citizen X]

I think you did not even watched the video

Yes you are right, I don't watch videos from Crap TV anymore. Even a broken clock is right twice a day, doesn't mean I should start using that as my time piece.