Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti to reject hisab in determining Ramadhan

Riyadh, NU Online
The Council of the Senior Ulema of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia has rejected the hisab (astronomical calculations) system in determining the beginning of Ramadhan and Syawal which closely relates to the fasting and idul fitri holiday for Muslims.

In its intensive meeting as reported by a daily newspaper Al Raya Qatar and newspapers in Saudi Arabia on 23 August 2008, Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah representing the council said that "most ulema have agreed to reject the hisab system in determining the beginning and the end of Hijriyah (Islamic calendar)
, especially Ramadhan. While the correct system is through rukyatul hilal (moonsighting)."<>

The statement is based on a hadits (Prophet's traditions) saying "fast when you sight it [the new moon] and stop fasting when you sight it...(suumu lirukyatilhi waftiruu lirukyatihi)"

He added that the sunnah of Rasulullah (PBUH) was the basis for determining the beginning and the end of Ramadhan by the actual sighting of the new moon (rukyatul hilal) as predicted by Ibn Abbas.

He said that those using astronomical calculations had no such religious justification. The hisab, he added, was unacceptable and had nothing to do with syaria.

The council has so far determined the beginning and the end of Islamic (hijriyah) months by using what called as rukyatul hilal rather than hisab. For that reason the council will hold its itsbat meeting in the end of this month. (mad)