I wanted to request respected Mufti Ebrahim Desai to please read and if appropriate, post for long term on websites Insha’Allaah my attached material on “Hilaal Sighting in Saudi Arabia & Its Implications Worldwide”, based on personal research and the contributions of several brothers (Jazahum Allahu Khayran). It includes valuable first hand information on the UmmUlQura Calendar and Fatawa of Sheikh Al Othaimeen (RH) of Saudi Arabia, who was kind enough to give us private audience and wrote and gave me one Fatwa directly.
Respected Brother-in-Islam
Assalaamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuhu
I have studied that document and appreciate your efforts in the matter.
The Jurists (Fuqahaa) have differences of opinion on whether
Ikhtilaaf-e-Mataalih is considered (Mu’tabar) or not. According to the
Zaahir-e-Riwaayat (view considered for Fatwa), it is not considered which
means that one reliable sighting anywhere (not only Saudia Arabia) in the
world is valid. However, the problem in the sighting of the moon, as you
correctly stated that there are many errors in the sighting of the moon in
Saudi Arabia. If the errors are rectified and after Shahaadah of an
individual’s sighting the moon, decision is taken in consultation with the
officials of the Hilaal Sighting Committee, then it will be valid for the
entire Muslim Ummah. Similar procedures must be put in place in other
countries as well, as the moon may be sighted elsewhere and not necessarily
Saudia Arabia.
In view of the present discrepancies in moon sighting, the view that
Ikhtilaaf-e-Mataalih is considered may be adopted and each country should
make their own independent decisions. It is incorrect for the Muslims in
North America (especially the Arab brethren) to follow Saudia Arabia’s
ruling on Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha due to the moonsighting being
inconsistent with Shari’ah laws of sighting the moon.
We appreciate Shaykh’s comments in his address to us and humbly request for
your pious Du’aas.
and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.