السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
It’s Wednesday 6th October/29 Safar 1443 Hijri.
Let’s focus upon Rabī’ ul-Awwal Moon Sighting today.
Time is flying and we are approaching the end of the month of Safar. You may recall that all the Muslims of the UK did not start the month of Safar together. For those following the CMSC, who follow the Umm ul-Qura calendar of Saudi Arabia, it is the 29th of Safar today (Wednesday). Whereas, for those following the Wifāqul ‘Ulamā (WU) and the New Crescent Society (NCS), tomorrow, Thursday 7th October, is 29 Safar, and Moon Sighting night.
You will have noticed that there has been no announcement at all from our CMSC to encourage us to go out to sight the moon tonight. Their criteria states ‘first we try local sighting’. This has never been the case in practice. However, the WU and the NCS promote local sighting on the 29th of every month.
The purpose of my message today is to encourage each and every Muslim of the UK and beyond to revive this very important Sunnah of our Beloved Prophet, صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. To be able to do correct Moon Sighting, it is important to know the basics.
On which day to look? At what time to look? In which direction to look? For how long to look? Which Du’ā to pray upon sighting? How to report your testimony? You will find all the necessary info on the website of the New Crescent Society (NCS), https://fb.com/newcrescentsociety/
They have completed 4 years of UK sighting and have streamed live Moon Sighting for over a year now. Please tune in to their FaceBook live show tomorrow (Thursday) between 6:30pm and 7pm, and join the nation in looking for the moon together.
Regrettably, we are just interested in Moon Sighting at the time of Ramaḍān and the 2 ‘Eids. A very humble request to all brothers and sisters to give this Moon Sighting issue importance every month please.
To ensure we get the dates correct for Ramaḍān and both the ‘Eids, it is vital that we closely follow Moon Sighting for all the 12 months. My next message on Saturday will provide feedback and analysis of the results of this month’s Moon Sighting, اِنْ شَاءَ الَّلهُ.
May The Almighty unite the Muslims of the UK on the issue of Moon Sighting and bless us all with the correct guidance, Āmeen.
جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا
Request for Du’ās
وَالسَّلَامُ Hanif Dudhwala