Ramadhan-sighting of the moon

[Yaseen]

asalamu'alykum

Once again the blessed month of Ramadhan is just over a month away inshallah. It is a time that we all look forward to immensely due to the barakah and virtues of this great month. The feeling of looking forward to ramadhan has however been slightly tarnished by the fact there is a difference of opinion on the method for sighting the moon with some following Saudi and others basing their sightings on astronomical data. Hence, as a result we end up with a scenario whereby people are starting ramadhan and celebrating 'id on different days.

I was wondering whether there is a genuine difference of opinion on the methods used, and hence both parties are right, or is a particular method more valid than the other according to the fuqaha.

Jazakallah khair

Wasalaam

[faqir]

Asalamu alaykum,

There is a genuine difference of opinion on the issue of whether one follows local sighting or global sighting.

As for following Saudi sighting - I have no idea what that is based upon.

The problem is that even with local sighting there is the issue of the use of astronomical data alone which is problematic. I tried to contact the UK ruiyat Hilal committee about their basis for this and they sent me this massive pdf which didn't really support their opinion. If you want to see it I can post it as an attachment (when I figure out how to do so) - I think I've still got it on my computer.

Actually, I might do that anyway to get the opinion of the knowledgable bros on this in the Islam qa section.

Wasalam.

[faqir]

Here it is, in three enstallments:

[faqir]

This is apparently how the UK Ruiyate Committee reaches its decision.....