the Holy Month of Ramadan
Dear Respected Believers
Salam Alikum - Peace & blessings upon you
As
the Holy Month of Ramadan draws near, it is important for all Muslims to
understand the basics of how this month is determined. Months in the Islamic
calendar follow a lunar system, meaning that the months are determined through
observation of different phases of the moon. As the moon revolves around the
earth, it reflects different amounts of sunlight, so that we see only parts or
the entire moon. At the end of every month, the moon fades away and a new moon
is born. At that phase, the moon cannot be seen in the night sky. With passing
time, the moon changes its position so that it reflects more and more of the
sun's light. When the new crescent moon is seen in this phase, a new month
begins.
On the 29th of the month, Muslims around the globe observe the night sky and try
to sight the new crescent moon and determine the beginning of the month. If the
new crescent moon is sighted on that night, the next day will mark the beginning
of the month. If the moon is not seen on the 29th, the 30th day is considered
the last day of the month. The following day will then be the first day of the
next month.
Our Grand Jurists have different opinions on some of the particulars of moon
sighting, therefore we will briefly address the following topics:
The first issue is in regards to how the new crescent moon is sighted. Jurists, including His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Al-Sistani, hold that the possibility of observing the new crescent moon by the naked eye needs to exist, without the use of any optical aid.
Because most individuals cannot observe the new crescent moon themselves, Islam gives individuals other methods for confirming the beginning of the lunar month. The individual can rely on the testimony of two just men who sighted the new crescent moon in their area. A general consensus among the people as to the beginning of the new lunar month can also be used to verify a sighting, if it is in line with the opinions of the jurist one emulates.
Our jurists have also addressed the question of the validity of astronomical data in determining the new lunar month. Based on the experts who provide astronomical data, they emphasize that their data does not predict the visibility of the moon with certainty (Source: http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/astronomical-information-center/cres-moon-islamic); they can only calculate with high precision the time of birth of the new moon. Therefore, it cannot be relied on with certainty in determining the sighting of the new crescent moon. In addition, we can rely on astronomical data to verify where the new crescent moon cannot be seen.
A sighting of the new crescent moon in a city can be used to determine the beginning of the new month in that city and its vicinity. According to the view of His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayid Ali Al-Sistani, if the new crescent moon was sighted in one area, the sighting can also be used to determine the beginning of the month in areas sharing the same curve of sighting. In such areas, the altitude and size of the new crescent moon is close to one another. (To find out altitude and size of the new crescent moon at any location, please refer to the following site: http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/data-services/alt-az-ushttp://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/data-services/alt-az-us)
Based on
the astronomical data there are no possibilities of the new crescent moon to be
sighted in North America at sunset August 10th, 2010 (please refer to this site:
http://www.crescentmoonwatch.org/assets/F2010Aug10.pdf).
The
Crescent Committee of the Council of Shia Muslims Scholars in North America
will be announcing the details of the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan
soon insha Allah.
We
ask the Almighty God to bless you in this Holy Month, and to shower you with His
Mercy and advance you further in your work.
Salam Alikum
==============================================
U.S.
Naval Observatory
Astronomical Applications Department
Sun and Moon Data for One Day
The following information is provided for Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (longitude W75.2, latitude N40.0):
New Moon on 9 August 2010 at 11:08 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
Tuesday
10 August 2010 Eastern Daylight Time
SUN
Sunrise 6:07 a.m.
Sun transit 1:06 p.m.
Sunset 8:04 p.m.
MOON
Moonset 7:40 p.m. on preceding day
Moonrise 6:43 a.m.
Moon transit 1:34 p.m.
Moonset 8:13 p.m.
Phase of the Moon on 10 August: waxing crescent with 1% of the Moon's visible disk illuminated.
Wednesday
11 August 2010 Eastern Daylight Time
SUN
Sunrise 6:08 a.m.
Sun transit 1:06 p.m.
Sunset 8:03 p.m.
MOON
Moonset 8:13 p.m. on preceding day
Moonrise 8:00 a.m.
Moon transit 2:28 p.m.
Moonset 8:44 p.m.
Phase of the Moon on 11 August: waxing crescent with 4% of the Moon's visible disk illuminated.