Asalamu Alaykum, Moulana I am from the UK. Regarding the moon sighting I would like to ask a question. After reading many articles including yourself, I am confused on one aspect: When the sighting of the Saudi system is very doubtful ( impossibility on visibility maps + location of sighting namely Sudayr/Tumair being the same every year + the individual carrying out the sighting not allowing others to see how he actually sights the moon + moon not being sighted to the West many a time after the Saudi sighted) then why do the ulama say the following of Saudi is simply marjooh, not preferred? Is it not more than that? Also there is the desert atmospheric dust problem as stated on the below channel which also casts doubt on low altitude sightings of the moon. The above info is from many sources including the YouTube channel ‘The Humble Heart’ by brother Muadh Khan. Why are the Deobandi ulama in the UK not reverting to the local sighting criteria? Please make dua for myself as I’m going to be involved in a lot of dispute due to this. Jazakallah khair.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Brother,
You have sent us two emails with some variations in both emails. You refer to the different opinions of various Ulama and organizations on the moonsighting issue. You also request for dua as you will be involved in disputes.
There are Ulama-e-Haq on both sides. Our advice is you respect and tolerate the different opinions and avoid disputes.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Hammad Ibn Ismail Jogiat
Student Darul Iftaa
Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.