What is the translation of the word ‘مده/أمده’ in the following Hadith?
قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إن الله قد أمده لرؤيته، فإن أغمي عليكم فأكملوا العدة
Answer
This narration is recorded in Sahih Muslim (Hadith: 1088) on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma). The Hadith explains that there is no consideration given to the size of the moon, rather the start/end of the month is based on the sighting of the moon.
مده/أمده means ‘Allah has deferred the [start] of the [new] month to [the physical] sighting of the moon’
(Sahih Muslim with Al Minhaj, Hadith: 2524, Fathul Mulhim, Hadith: 2504/2505)
In this particular case, it was regarding the start of Ramadan. Therefore the explanatory translation will be, “Allah has extended/deferred the end of the month of Sha’ban until you physically sight the moon, which will then signal the start of Ramadan.”
(Refer: Mirqatul Mafatih, Hadith: 1981)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar