السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
Hope you are well.
Today (Sunday 2nd Jan 2022) is 29th Jumādā al-‘Ūlā according to our CMSC, who follow Saudi Arabia for Moon Sighting.
The criteria of the CMSC is to first look for the moon locally here in the UK and if not sighted, then to follow the actual ru’yat of Saudi Arabia. The million dollar question is, on which day do we sight in the UK? Is it today?
I asked this question to a non-Muslim Astronomer 2 days ago. His reply was: ‘Hi Hanif, hope you are well. The next astronomical new moon is on 2nd January at 18:33. No chance of seeing the moon then.’ The above are exactly his words.
Today, I want all our CMSC followers, especially the Muftiyān-e-Kirām and ‘Ulamā to ponder upon this and look into it. How can we sight the moon in the UK today if the astronomical new moon is at 18:33?
I will be very grateful if someone can provide a clarification.
جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا
Request for Du’ās
وَالسَّلَامُ Hanif Dudhwala (Blackburn)