AssalaamsWW, I was quite suprised when i read this the other day. Im still cautious that ELM and ICC will find 18d very difficult to adopt. Very. Not in termss of fiqh but in terms of telling their many thousands of musallees who come from far and wide in Ramdhan for Tarawi that after tarawi they only have about an hour or less to finish their suhoor. That is gonna be one massive challenge they both will have. They did have 18d before but the last time they probs had Suhoor at 18d was about 25ish years ago when both their masjids were no where as huge and prominent as they are now.

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http://www.croydonmosque.com/pdf/The_History_of_the_UK_following_the_Saudi_Arabia.pdf

ن.
صلاةً وسلاماً دائمين إلى يوم الدين، وآله وصحبه ومن تبعهم بإحسان، وسلم تسليماً آثيراً، أما بعد:.
The History of the UK following the Saudi Arabia Moonsighting Decision

Allah has stated in the Holy Qur’aan: ‘They ask you (Muhammad ) about the crescent moons. Say:
They are signs to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the pilgrimage.’ (s2, v189)
The Shari'ah (laws) of Islam have classified the regulation of time (months) by means of sighting the Moon.
Every person who has the faculty of sight can look at the sky and determine the start of the new month.
Despite great leaps being made in the Astronomy and the scientific calculation of the ‘birth’ of the new moon,
they are not regarded as verified proofs in Islam.

In the same manner, the days of Hajj, Ramadhan and the Eids are dependant upon the sighting of the moon
(Muhaqaq Ru’yat Basari). There is only ‘One’ moon in the world. Yet, Allah has used the plural word
meaning ‘crescent moons’ in the above verse of the Qur’an. This will mean that throughout the World,
wherever the crescent moon can be sighted on the 29th night then the following day will be the start of the new
month. If for some reason the crescent moon is not sighted in an area, they will complete 30 days in that
region and then start the new month. This verse of the Qur’an makes it clear that there is no requirement for
the Muslims to celebrate Eid or Ramadhan etc uniformly throughout the World on a single day.

Those individuals that go for Hajj, they will abandon the monthly timetable of their region and adopt that of
Makkah. It may be questioned: if the date that is found in Saudi Arabia is not regulated according to the true
requirements of the Shariah then what will become of their Hajj. If there is no way to correct this wrong doing
(in not ordaining the Islamic month by the ‘true sighting of the crescent moon’) of the government then it is
understood that the fasting and Hajj will be accepted Insha’Allah. The inhabitants of Saudi Arabia and visiting
Hajis etc will not be at fault for carrying out their worship according to the dates stipulated by the government.
However, it is not permissible for those from other regions to follow Saudi Arabia’s announcements. (Tuhfatul Al
Ma’ee Sharah Sunan Tirmidhi vol 3, p68 by Shaykh-ul-Hadith Mufti Saeed Ahmad Palanpuri, Darul Uloom Deoband)

In 1972 the intention was made to change the Shariah sighting criteria for the ‘New Moon’:

Alhamdulillah for 1400 years from the time of the Prophet the entire Ummah was using the means of
sighting the crescent moon to regulate the months of the year. In 1972 the Saudi government sent an
invitation to the different regions of the Muslim World for the Senior Scholars to attend a conference. In this
conference, without a specific agenda being outlined, the Saudi government opened the discussion on the
matter of the entire Muslim World following the announcement of Saudi for a united day for Ramadhan and the
two Eids. For this, the Saudi government would be responsible to formulate whatever systems and procedures
were required to ensure this could be fulfilled. Together with this, it was recommended that the new month
announcement be reliant upon the ‘birth of the new moon’ ( القمر الجد يد ) rather than the sighting of the crescent
moon. This would allow the Saudi government to announce the new moon before it was possible to be sighted
anywhere in the World. (Tuhfatul Al Ma’ee Sharah Tirmidhi vol 3, p56)

Amongst the attendees of the Saudi conference was Mufakirul Islam Shaykh Sayed Abul Hassan Ali Nadwi
رحمه الله and Shaykh Manzoor Nomani رحمه الله . These two were the renowned Scholars of the Islamic world at the
time (both had spent time with Hadhrat Maulana Shaah Muhammad Ilyas Kandhalwi رحمه الله in the work of
Da’wah Tabligh). After attending the conference they returned to Surat Rander Chunarwa Masjid, India. Here
a conference of the Scholars of India was arranged. They explained that they were invited by the Saudi
government to a conference without a stipulated agenda. They explained the desire of the Saudi government
to adopt the ‘Birth of the New Moon’ calendar and also that all the Scholars present in the conference had
unanimously rejected this concept due to it being against the Shari’ah. The two Shaykhs stated that the Saudi
government nonetheless intended to initiate a great fitnah ignoring the opposition of the Scholars. They
explained, the Saudi government will adopt this new system from the following year, as predicted it came to
pass and remains the case to this day.

This matter has been written about in detail by Shaykh-ul-Hadith Mufti Saeed Ahmad Palanpuri Sahib حفظه الله
(Darul Uloom Deoband) in a monthly leaflet called ‘Al-Furqan’ distributed in Lucknow, India.
Saudi Arabia has created a timetable based on Greenwich New Moon calculations; this calendar known as the
Umm Ul Qura calendar, many a time sets the beginning of the new month one day before the sighting of the
crescent moon. In reality the 29th date of this calendar could actually be the 28th date. On this 28th date, Saudi
accepts the false testimony of witnesses and makes an announcement of Eid or the start of Ramadhan one or
two days before the entire globe. The reality is the moon has not usually been sighted anywhere on the entire
Earth. In doing so it starts Ramadhan in Sha’baan, and declares Eid in Ramadhan, therefore unlawfully
missing one obligatory fast. Thus, anywhere where Saudi is blindly followed a great fitnah ensues.

In 1984, there was an international conference held in London Central Masjid & Cultural Centre
(Regents Park) for the purpose of discussing the Moon Sighting criteria of the UK:

This meeting was attended by approximately 350 Scholars from various Countries around the World, among
the participants were: The Grand Mufti of Egypt, Scholars from Europe and also numerous Scholars from the
UK who were specifically chosen from their association or work within a certain group of the Muslims (Da’wah
Tabligh, Brelvi, Salafi etc), from the side of Jamiatul Ulama Britain, Mufti Aslam was invited, the foundation for
sighting of the crescent moon to establish the new Islamic month in the UK was that the moon had to be
sighted with the naked eye (Muhaqaq Ru’yat Basari). The outcome of the conference was that all the Scholars
present unanimously agreed to abide by the agreed criteria. There were 30 senior Scholars from the UK
present, all of whom confirmed their agreement to adopting the criteria by signing their names to it. The
agreed criteria was then sent to the Grand Mufti of India, Hadhrat Mufti Abdur Raheem Lajpuri رحمه الله . The
acceptance and confirmation of the criteria of 1984 is mentioned in the book Fatawa Raheemiya by Hadhrat
Mufti Abdur Raheem Lajpuri .رحمه الله

However, even after the conference, the unanimous agreement and all the following events, the very next
year, Jamiatul Ulama Britain & Hizbul Ulama UK broke their oath and unanimous agreement to the United
Moon Sighting Criteria which was written at the Regents Park Masjid conference.

In 2006, I (Muhammad Yusuf Danka) attended a meeting with the Director General of London Central Masjid
Dr Ahmed Dubiyan. This meeting was attended by 20 management members of the West London Masajid
and Shaykhul Hadith Molana Samirud-Deen Qasmi حفظه الله from Manchester. In this meeting, Dr Dubiyan
stated: ‘In our own Masjid here, there was a meeting and we in UK agreed to unite on the moon sighting
announcements and criteria for this country, however, the Jamiatul Ulama Britain & Hizbul Ulama UK changed
their minds the very next year, from this, our own attendees complained to us why we were not following
Saudi when others who were not Arab did so, this made matters very difficult for us, even after being from a
Saudi background, we (London Central Mosque) have no objection in not following the Saudi announcement.
If today, the Scholars of this country agree to unite on the specific criteria, we are ready to adopt that also.

Prior to 1986, the UK followed the Moon Sighting announcements from Morocco. After 1986, a
division arose, caused by the blind following of Saudi Arabia:

In Ramadhan 2007, Shaykh-ul-Hadith Mufti Saeed Ahmad Palanpuri Sahib حفظه الله was present in Masjid Quba
Stamford Hill, London. He related in detail during a lecture, the following matter, he was invited to a Masjid in
Bolton in 1985, at this time, due to the lack of technology, the news of the moon sighting was received from
Morocco via Telex. That year due to inclement weather, news from Morocco was delayed. The people of
Bolton in the absence of news offered the Taraweeh prayer and still waited for news. No news was
forthcoming, so the people returned home and fasted the following day. The next morning, a shopkeeper was
appointed to receive the telex from Morocco, opened his shop at 10am and found a telex stating the moon had
been sighted in Morocco yesterday. In Bolton Eid was then announced and performed the following day. As
News broke late in the morning, the Scholars were unanimous on this decision apart from Moulana Yaqub
Kawi Sahib of Dewsbury and a few others with him who did not break their fast. Nevertheless, everybody
celebrated Eid together on the following day.

Jamiatul Ulama Britain & Hizbul Ulama UK became annoyed at Moulana Yaqub Kawi’s حفظه الله refusal to break
his fast. Mufti Saeed Ahmad Palanpuri Sahib حفظه الله sat down with both groups and attempted to resolve the
dispute. However, of the two groups, none was willing to back down therefore reconciliation was not possible.
In the end, Mufti Saeed Ahmad Palanpuri حفظه الله returned to India and the dispute remained unresolved.
Instead of the matter being resolved or some compromise being reached, the division became more
exacerbated. In opposition, to Molana Yaqub Kawi, Jamiatul Ulama Britain & Hizbul Ulama UK, stubbornly
announced that they would follow the Saudi government sightings whatever the circumstances. This marked
the beginning of the adherence of Saudi Arabia’s moon sighting in England which continues to this present
day. It is only due to the stubbornness of Jamiatul Ulama Britain & Hizbul Ulama UK that a great Fitnah
endures. This is even after, the Scholars from all quarters and groups fully understand the reality of the
Shariah deficiencies of the Saudi moon sighting announcements. Remember, there are numerous references
in the Holy Qur’an of stubbornness and its potential to corrupt the Deen.

There are also many Imams of Masjids and large Islamic centres that state that they cannot oppose the
committees and trustees of their areas. These Imams themselves state that they make Qadha of their
Ramadhan fast, and why shouldn’t they? They are after all obligatory fasts. Even to observe them after their
fixed time without reasonable excuse is a grave sin. The responsibility of the entire Muslim community lies on
the shoulders of the Imam and Management committee, to remain silent on such matters may be the easier
option today, but will no doubt prove difficult to explain tomorrow on the day of Judgement (Qiyamah).

In 2009, a meeting was held in Batley, UK between Wiqaf ul Ulema and Jamiat Ulema Britain for
Uniting the Moon Sighting Announcements of the UK:

In Batley, there was a meeting held of 70 Scholars from the UK to unite the moon sighting announcements of
the UK regions before Ramadhan 2010. This meeting was held for the Scholars specifically associated to the
teachings of Darul Uloom Deoband. It was unfortunate that the representatives of Hizbul Ulema UK refused to
turn up for the meeting. Mufti Aslam stated: ‘Our companions at Hizbul Ulema UK have failed to turn up, at the
same time, they sought to prevent us (Jamiat Ulema Britain) from attending also. However, we seek a
resolution to this problem (moon sighting announcement), for this reason we are here.’

A meeting was called on 5 different occasions. There was an agreement on a number of points of the criteria
to establish the moon sighting announcements. The points that were left to be discussed included: Jame
Ghafeer, Muhqaq Ruy’at e Basari etc. It was agreed that these points would be decided by sending letters to
the large centres of the Deoband Scholars throughout the World. In all, 19 centres were chosen.
Alhamdulillah, letters were prepared by the 3 large groups which represent the Scholars of the UK (Jamiat
Ulema Britain, Wifaq Ul Ulema, Batley Ruy’at Hilal Committee). These 3 letters were prepared and days
before they were due to be sent out, Mufti Aslam of Jamiat Ulema Britain phoned Mufti Yusuf Sacha Sahib in
Batley requesting that no letters be sent out. Mufti Aslam stated that Jamiat Ulema Britain will continue with
the current situation.

Due to this, the entire Muslim Ummah in the UK has suffered again this year. This proves that the
representative of Jamiat Ulema Britain and Hizbul Ulema UK are in no way inclined to follow a united moon
sighting criteria for the UK Muslims. These are the very same groups which, after making a promise and oath,
by signing their names to an agreement of 350 Scholars in 1984 they broke it. And in 2010, the promise they
made in front of 70 Scholars was also broken. Their only desire is to follow the moon sighting criteria of the
birth of new moon (Umm Ul Qura calendar) and make others act upon it also. The reality in the UK is that
there apart from the moon sighting criteria and announcements there are numerous issues to be tackled. Even
in these additional matters the groups of Jamiat Ulema Britain and Hizbul Ulema UK do not come forward for
the sake of the Ummah.

A Sincere Advice to the Muslims in the UK from the Scholars of Darul uloom Deoband:

عن عمر رضى الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلّى الله عليه وسلم إذا أقبل الّليل من ههنا وأدبرالنّهار من ههنا وغربت الشمس فقد أفطر الصّا ئم (متّفق عليه)
Sayyidina Umar narrated that The Prophet stated: ‘When night falls from this direction (pointing to the
eastern horizon) making it dark and the day break finishes from that direction (pointing to the western horizon).
And the sun has completely set, then the fasting person should (with certainty) break his fast. (Jami Tirmidhi, Vol 1, p150 also in Saheeh Bukhari)

As the Arabian Peninsula consists of mountainous regions (the Two Blessed Cities of Makkah and Madinah lie
within mountainous areas) some doubt is created for observers on when the time of sunset actually occurs.
Due to this, the Prophet has given us the criteria to observe the darkness setting in from the eastern
horizon and the daylight receding from the western horizon for the fasting person to break his fast. Shari’ah
states the issues in which doubt is created, according to Islamic jurisprudence should not be adopted. The
Prophet has stated ‘Leave that which is doubtful for that which has no doubt.’ (Al-Tirmidhi and Al-Nasaíi)
On the basis of this Hadith, today in the UK in order to remove all doubts, the Ulama of Deoband have put
forth this guidance. When Saudi makes an announcement regarding the sighting of the moon, we should not
as a matter of convenience follow them. Instead of deciding upon the matter in haste we should rather be
patient and observe the condition in our Country and those near to us geographically. This is because; as the
sun sets observers around the world especially in the continent of Africa can clearly sight the moon straight
after the Saudi sunset. If the information received from the African continent is reliable (Muhaqaq Ruy’at e
Basari) and in line with the Saudi announcement then it is acceptable for us to adopt this sighting in the UK.
However, usually after Saudi has made their announcement the moon is neither sighted in the entire African
or American continents as well as the Indian sub continent. Sometimes the period between Saudis sighting
and that of other countries differ by up to 12 hours or a whole day whereby no sighting of the moon is
witnessed in nearby lands and continents, whereas the moon should be sighted the next day. There are also
known reports of Individuals living within Saudi Arabia who testify to seeing the moon two days after the Saudi
announcement has been made. It is also reported and encouraged by the Sahih Hadith that ‘Ruy’at e Aamah’
(sighting by a large group) is a condition of accepting a sighting of the crescent moon. This criterion of sighting
by a large group is never found in Saudi Arabia. In such a situation, those who do not live under the authority
of Saudi Arabia’s Islamic jurisprudence should not destroy their fast, Eid and Qurbani/Adhiyah.

عن إبن عمر أن رسول الله قال: الشهر تسع وعشرون ليلة فلا تصوموا حتى تروه، فإن غمّ عليكم فأآملوا العدة ثلاثلين (صحيح بخارى
( ص 306 صحيح مسلم ص 347

Sayyidina Ibn Umar relates from Nabi that there are twenty-nine nights in a month, do not fast until you
see it (the Hilal), if it is hidden from you then complete thirty days. (Sahih Bukhari p,306/ Sahih Muslim p,347)
The word in the Hadith ، فلا تصوموا حتى تروه which can mean that when a lot of people sight it (the Hilal) then
fasting should begin. Throughout the lifetime of Prophet ‘Ruy’at e A’amah’ i.e. a large group as could be
understood by this Athar (speech of Sahabah or Tabi’een) was practised. Only on one occasion in Madina
moon was not sighted and Rasulullaah accepted the witnessed statement of a Nomad Arab, but
consideration needs to be taken that the person who accepted the testimony was the Messenger of Allah and
the witness himself was a just Sahabi (in essence, both parties have no element of doubt). The practise of our
Pious Salaf us Saliheen clearly indicates that they insisted upon the ‘Ruy’at e A’amah’.

قلت لعطاء: أرأيت لو أن رجلا رأى هلال رمضان قيل الناس بليلة أيصوم قبلهم أو يفطر قبلهم؟ قال لا، الا ان يراه الناس، أخشى أن يكون
( شبه عليه. (مصنف عبدالرزاق، باب آم يجوزمن الشهودعلى رؤيةالهلال ج 4 ص 130

Ataa bin Abi Riba (Tabi’i) رحمه الله was asked that if a person was to see the Hilal of Ramadhan a night before
the others were able to, should he fast before them, or should he celebrate Eid before them? He replied ‘No,
not until the people ( يراه الناس ) see it. I fear that he is mistaken’. (Musannaf Abdur Razzaq vol 4, p130)
Ataa bin Abi Riba (Tabi’i) رحمه الله was that personality and Scholar of Islam upon whose verdict and statement
Saydinia Ibn Umar and Ibn Abbas would rely. This is the very same Ataa bin Abi Riba رحمه الله who was
the teacher of Imam Abu Hanifa رحمه الله . Imam Abu Hanifa رحمه الله said of Ataa رحمه الله : ‘I have not seen a person
more God Fearing or Knowlegable than Ataa bin Abi Riba ’.رحمه الله

Hadhrat Mufti Sayed Abdur Raheem Lajpuri رحمه الله writes: If the skies are clear the testimony of the two or four
people will not be enough. A testimony of such a large group is essential to the extent that the Qadhi, Aalim or
Mufti is fully confident and satisfied that the Hilal has been sighted, and No doubts remain. ( فتاوىرحيميہ Fataawa
Rahimiyah vol 10, p 169/ 418 / فتاوى محموديہ جلد 3 ص 129 / اوجزالمسالك شيخ الحديث محمد زآريا جلد 5 ص 21 - (احسن الفتاوى جلد 4ص 417
وقيل بلا علة جمع عظيم يقع العلم) الشرعي وهو غلبة الظن (بخبرهم وهو مفوض إلى راى الإمام من غير تقدير بعدد) على المذهب۔
( (درمختار آتاب الصوم- جلد 3 ص 410 / مختصرالقدورى مع الشرح ص 224 ، لعلامه احمدالقدورى هجرى 428
وإذا لم تكن با لسماء علة لم تقبل الشهادة حتى يراه جمع آثير يقع العلم بخبرهم.. لأن التفرد بالروية فى مثل هذه الحالة يوهم الغلط فيجب
التوقف فيه حتّى يكون جمعا آثيرا. (هدايه- جلد 1 ص 125 ، لعلامه على بن أبى بكرالمرغيناني هجرى 592 / نورالإيضاح ص 167 ، لعلامه حسن بن
( عمارشرنبلالى هجرى 1069 / مراقى الفلاح ص 236
وإذا لم تكن بالسماء علة لم تقبل الشهادة حتي يراه جمع آثير يقع العلم بخبرهم لأن التفرد بالرؤية في مثل هذه الحالة يوهم الغلط فيجب التوقف
فيه حتي يكون جمعا آثيرا.....ثم قيل في حد الكثير أهل الملة وعن أبى يوسف رحمه الله خمسون رجلا اعتبارا بالقسامة ...۔ (فتح القدير
جلد 2 ص 328 ، لعلامه إبن همام حنفى 861 هجرى)
شريعت مقدسہ ميں چاند آى رؤيت آيلئے قانون يہ هے آہ اگر( 29 ) انتيس آى رات آو مطلع بالكل صاف هو تو پهر جم غفير آى رؤيت
روزه اورعيد آيلئے ضرورى هے. جم غفيرکى تعداد کے بارے ميں مختلف اقوال ذخيره فقه ميں درج ہيں بعض سے پچاس اوربعض
سے پانچ سو وغيره مروى ہيں البتہ امام علامه إبن عابدين شامى رحمه الله نے تعداد سے قطع نظر آرکے قاضى کے مطمئن هونے آو
ترجيح دى هے ليكن قاضى آا اطمينان بهى دو شرائط کے ساتهہ مشروط هے ( 1) امكان رؤيت ( 2) آثرت شهود.. اسلئے صاف مطلع
( کےدوران تين ياچار آدميوں آى گواهى نا قابل قبول هے-آذافي ردالمختار جلد 2 ص 101 (فتاوى حقانيہ جلد 4 ص 137

Hadhrat Aqdas Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi قدس سره writes: “If the skies are clear then the testimony of two or
four people will not be sufficient, whether it is for Ramadhan or whether it is for Eid. On the other hand, if so
many people came forward with testimonies, that it becomes clear that they are not lying, nor can such a large
group lie, then the testimonies will be accepted and the new month will commence. (Bahishti Zewar part 3 p6/
Ilm ul figh vol 3 p425/ Ta’limul Islam vol 4, p69)

‘If the skies are clear, a large group is essential for determining Ramadhan and Shawwal.’ (Ma La Budh Minh P93)
‘Imam Abu Hanifa رحمه الله states that a large group is essential when the skies are clear.’ (Rowdat un Naddiyah vol 1,
p292)

To sight the moon is Wajib alal Kifaayah, hence when the skies are clear, not cloudy, and sighting the moon is
possible (Imkan e Ru’yat), then one should practise upon the Wajib alal Kifaayah, and not remain sitting idle,
content on the Moonsighting news of Saudi Arabia. (Fatwa Darul Uloom Kantharia, Mufti Abdullah Kavi)
Our Fuqahah (Jurist), Mutaqudimeen and Salaf us Saliheen have been unanimous on the ‘Ruy’at e A’amah’
principle. In this time of Fitnah the requirements of adopting Muhaqaq Ru’yat e Basari and Jamme Ghafeer
holds great importance.

سيدنا عمر سے روايت هے رسول الله نے ہميں خطاب آرتے هوئے فرمايا تهاآہ:- اُوصيكم بأصحابى ثمّ الذين يلونهم ثمّ الذين
يلونهم ثمّ يفشُوالكذب حتّى يحلفَ الرّجل ولا يُستحلَف ويشهد ولا يُستشهد...الخ (جامع ترمذى ج 2 ص 48 ، صحيح بخارى ج 2 ص 1049 ، مستدرک
حاآم ج 1 ص 114 ، حاآم وذهبى وقالهما صحيح على شرط الشيخين)

The Prophet has said: ‘I advise you to follow my Companions and then of those who come after them and
those who come after them. After this, lies will spread until a person will swear an oath yet nobody will have
requested it from him. A person will witness yet nobody will have requested it from him. (Jami Tirmidhi, vol 2, p48/
Saheeh Bukhari vol 2, p1049/ Hakim, vol 1, p114)

In the famous Islamic monthly booklets known as ‘Al-khair’ Multania 2005’ (Ramadhan Hijri 1426) the senior
Scholars of the sub continent have written extensively regarding the incorrectness of the Saudi announcement
of moon sighting marking the start of Ramadhan and Eid. In this booklet an article makes mention of an
individual who has now joined the effort of Da’wat e Tabligh. This person before joining this effort, knowingly
used to give false testimony, testifying to the sighting of the crescent moon in the Sarhad province (in
Pakistan), however after joining this effort he accepted his mistake and has done Tauba/Istighfar as well as
notified the Ulama requesting Du’a for his and his group’s mischief. (Al-khair, p14)

From the above mentioned incident it is clear how this type of false testimony and its propaganda creates
confusion unifying people on the incorrect moon sighting of Saudi Arabia. This explains how this new Fitnah
has taken hold across the world since the initiation of the Umm ul Qura calendar.

The Islamic Centres of the World that follow the Hanafi Fiqh as taught by the Deoband Scholars have a
spiritual and scholarly connection with three respected institutes: Darul Uloom Deoband, Mazahir ul Uloom
Saharanpur, Jamia Islamia Dabhel, the senior Ulama at these institutions have unanimously and continuously
stated the following:

‘To look for ease and decide upon the Saudi sighting decision for Ramadhan and Eid is not correct, even if a
Fatwa permitting this was obtained, it would be against the principles of the Shari’ah, never should one blindly
follow the sighting of Saudi Arabia. (Fatawa Darul Uloom Deoband, Mazahir ul Uloom Saharanpur, Jamia Islamia
Dabhel, (18/Safar/1424 AH) 20/4/2003)

Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Hadith Moulana Muhammad Zakaria نوّرالله مرقده Witnessing of the Saudi Moon Sighting:

Shaykh Ul Hadith Moulana Zakaria Kandhalwi نوّرالله مرقده is that personality, who dedicated his entire life in
attaining the very high ranks of Knowledge and Taqwa, he spent the last 10 years of his life in Madinah
Munawarrah and was blessed with passing away there. Whilst residing in Saudi Arabia, Hadhrat has detailed
the inaccuracies of the Saudi moon sighting announcements in his writings, there are numerous beneficial
advices, both spiritual and pertaining to knowledge in these writings of Hadhrat Shaykh .نوّرالله مرقده
Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Hadith Moulana Muhammad Zakaria Kandhalwi رحمه الله has written in one of his letters
addressed to Hadhrat Moulana Yusuf Motala Sahib حفظه الله dated 2nd Shawwal 1393AH (1973): ‘Today,
Monday the 29th of Ramadhan, after Fajr, Moulana Ehsan Sahib حفظه الله (grand scholar and director of Darul
Uloom Raiwind, Markaz Pakistan) brought the news that the moon is high and very easily visible in the sky.
We all became satisfied that we had one more day of Ramadhan, but when Moulana Aftaab bin Moulana Badr
e Alam Meerathee رحمه الله heard the news, he said immediately that the manner of thinking of India/Pakistan
does not work here (in Saudi). He said: ‘I have been here for 28/30 years; there was only one Eid after the 28th
fast, only one after the 30th, and all the rest after the 29th. I had heard that it is common for Ramadhan to last
for 29 days here (in Saudi), but I was satisfied with the Indian way of thinking’. (The Indian way being; if you
have seen the moon in the morning of the 29th day, then that moon cannot be sighted in the same evening.
This is an unalterable fact.) Hadhrat goes on to say: ‘I felt a bit strange whilst performing the Nawaafil after
Maghrib, and Salat ul Isha was delayed for ten minutes compared to Ramadhan, after the Fardh Salat I
quickly started with my Sunnah prayer, but in my first Rakaat I heard the head Qadhi ul Qudhat (head Judge)
here, make an announcement beginning with Salam and some other words, at once I understood that the rule
of the government here (Saudi Arabia) has prevailed (Over the truth)’. (Muhabbat Naamay Vol 2, P539)

On 7th October 2010 I (Muhammad Yusuf Danka) met Hadhrat Moulana Ehsan Sahib in Darul Uloom London,
Chislehurst. I asked for more detail in respect of the above mentioned incident, since Moulana Ehsan was
present and mentioned by Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Hadith Moulana Muhammad Zakaria نوّرالله مرقده in Muhabbat
[quick quote reply]

Naamay. Moulana Ehsan Sahib confirmed that the narration of the incident was indeed true and informed me,

that it was only at the behest of Hadhrat Shaykh نوّرالله مرقده that he and a number of his companions went out to
sight the moon. If they were able to witness the moon on the 29th Ramadhan then it was not possible for the
authorities to announce Eid for the following day. However, an announcement was made later that day
declaring Eid to be on the following day as mentioned above, this caused Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Hadith Moulana
Muhammad Zakaria نوّرالله مرقده a great deal of concern (due to the fact that the moon of the month of
Ramadhan was still visible and the announcement for Eid was made. How could it be that these Pious
Scholars of Truth, who were elevated in knowledge, piety and Taqwa have peace of heart and mind. They had
deep concern for the principles of Islam and the worship of the Masses).

Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Hadith نوّرالله مرقده has also written in Aap Beeti in clear words that the announcement the
Saudi government are not subject to the sighting of the crescent moon, but are in fact based upon and
conform to their Umm ul Qura calendar. The entire world is aware of the fact that to make announcements
according to the ‘birth of the new moon’ is not the way of Islam, but of Judaism.

Hadhrat Shaykh نوّرالله مرقده writes: ‘On the 1st Dhul Hijjah 1396H, 23 November 1976 in the Umm ul Qura
(Saudi governments Birth of the New Moon) Calendar, it is written that Monday will be the 1st Day of Dhul
Hijjah and Hajj (day of Arafat) will be on the Tuesday. In Saudi, the Umm ul Qura calendar is followed.
However, upon reaching Madinah (a few days later) it was announced that Hajj will be on Wednesday. Then
on Friday, it was announced again that Hajj (day of Arafat) would be on Tuesday. (Aap Beeti, vol 7, p211)
The same incident occurred in 2005 also, when after 4 days the announcements were made in conformation
with the Umm ul Qura calendar. Upon this alteration the Scholars of the Muslim World asked what evidence
they had to support their change in announcement of the new moon. Due to the pressure from the Scholars,
the government presented two witnesses, both of whom were older than 80 years old and needed strong
spectacles to see clearly. ( 20/01/2005 الوطن سعودي - وقد وجدهما آبيرين فى السن يتجاوزعمر آل واحد منهما الثما نين ). From this
incident it is apparent that the Saudi Government uses such people to substantiate their claims who cannot
even see the road in front of them clearly. How then can such a person see the new crescent moon to
establish the commencement of the new Islamic month?

Hadhrat Shaykh Moulana Zakaria Kandhalwi نوّرالله مرقده writes: (In India) ‘The witnessing of the crescent moon
occurred on Tuesday night and Ramadhan commenced on Wednesday, however, In Saudi Ramadhan
commenced on Monday’ (a two day difference). (Aap Beeti) Also Hadhrat Shaykh نوّرالله مرقده writes in another
place: ‘on the 27th Ramadhan 1398H (1978), Qadhi Sahib (Abdul Qadir) left Madinah to celebrate Eid in
Chawariya Pakistan. After performing Eid in Makkah, he got on a plane the same day to Karachi Pakistan.
Upon reaching Pakistan, it was the 28th Ramadhan there. (Aap Beeti, vol 7, p249)

These types of incidents have unfortunately become common place. Meaning, the Saudi government moon
sighting announcements are falling two days ahead of nearby Islamic countries that follow the Shariah moon
sighting criteria. Allah has kept the path of the moon such that throughout the world, a difference of one
day is common and possible. However, a delay in two days is impossible. The root cause of these
discrepancies is the inaccurate announcements that are being made by the Saudi government and those
countries or areas that follow the Saudi criteria/sighting.

Today, the select representatives of Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Hadith نوّرالله مرقده even while living in Madinah
Munawarrah have continued to express their concern for the Saudi moon sighting announcements.

The Concern of the Elders of Nizamudeen Markaz for the Muslims in the UK:

Ameer Tablighi Hadhratjee Moulana Inaamul Hassan Kandhalwi رحمه الله wrote in a letter addressed to the
Dewsbury Tablighi Markaz Shooraa: ‘The Month of Ramadhan and Eid are among the Symbols of Islam.
Therefore we should be very cautious and fearful regarding the decision that is made in regards to these. As
people regard the Jamat e Tabligh as a sincere Jamat, people look for the ruling passed by the Markaz to
formulate their decisions. The entire nation’s fasting is dependant upon the moon being sighted correctly. The
fixed orbits of the sun and moon are clearly mentioned in the Qur’an, where Allah states ‘the sun and the
moon run on their fixed calculated courses (exactly).’(Surah 55, Ayat 6). When claims of moon sighting are
made before there is the slightest possibility of sighting, no credit should be given to these claims and this
position is in accordance with the actions of Jamhoor/the majority of Ulama.” (Hadhratjee Moulana Inamul
Hassan Saheb, Banglawali Masjid, 15th Sha’baan 1407AH(1987)

Hadhrat Moulana Hassan Sahib Walsall حفظه الله stated in 1995 he went to perform Hajj. In the vicinity of
Baitullah (Makkah) he met the Da’ee (caller to Islam), Moulana Umar Sahib رحمه الله Palanpuri. Hadhrat Moulana
Hassan Sahib Walsall complained to him: ‘We are performing Eid on 3 days in the UK. Please do something
about this.’ Moulana Umar Sahib Palanpuri replied: ‘I have written to the Dewsbury Shoora via Moulana
Inamul Hassan رحمه الله . If they do not accept this reasoning now, they will be the ones to answer for their
actions on the Day of Qiyamah.’ (Britannia mi Ruy’at Hilal, p59)

From this we can decisively conclude that all the respected elders of Deoband as well as Hadhrat Shaykh Ul
Hadith Moulana Muhammad Zakaria نوّرالله مرقده , Moulana Inaamul Hassan رحمه الله and Moulana Umar Palanpuri
رحمه الله are of the opinion that, to follow the criteria and announcement of Saudi in the UK is incorrect. It is very
unfortunate and regrettable that we have allowed the advice of the pious and knowledgeable to fall on deaf
ears and due to a conflict of interest amongst a few people, we remain divided. It is a very sad fact indeed,
that as a result of the alliance between Jamiatul Ulama Britain & Hizbul Ulama, the UK, collectively has been
denied ability (Toufeeq) to act upon the correct Shari’ah guidance.

Today, from the main centre of the Tablighi Jamat in Nizamudeen Delhi, India. The Scholars of India are still
trying to explain the matter to the responsible individuals here in Dewsbruy, England. On 31st October 2010, I
(Muhammad Yusuf Danka) met Salman Zafar Shaikh from New York, who is a very knowledgeable personality
in the field of Astronomy (www.hilalsighting.org) as well as being closely associated with the work of the
Da’wah (Tablighi Jamat). I asked him why, due to his close association with Nizamudeen centre in Delhi, he
did not ask them to correct the view of the Dewsbruy Markaz Shura, regarding the following of the Saudi moon
sighting announcements. Brother Salman Zafar Shaikh stated: ‘I (Salman Shaikh) explained in March 2009,
he attended a conference (Jhor) hosted for the North American Tablighi Jamat workers, in Nizamudeen, Delhi.
There he presented Fataawa and proofs from the Senior Ulema Deoband that go against following the Saudi
moon sighting announcements, as well as views from Saudi Astronomers and Saudi Scholars in his paper at
www.hilalsighting.org/papers/salman.pdf to some of the Shura at Nizamudeen, Delhi. To these Fataawas, a
respected elder of Nizamudeen, Hadhrat Moulana Ahmed Laat Sahib حفظه الله mentioned that he had personally
strongly advised Ameer Hafiz Patel Sahib حفظه الله to seek Allaah's help and correct the situation in UK and if
they are not prepared to resolve the situation, then they should completely take leave of this issue (and not
oppose the effort of those who are trying to correct it).

The Jamiatul Ulama Britain & Hizbul Ulama UK do not act upon the ruling of the Shari’ah in respect of the
moon sighting, nor do they adopt the teachings of the Hanafi Fiqh with respect to the moon sighting criteria.
Their effort by all means is to try to unite the entire Muslim population of the UK upon the incorrect ‘birth of the
new moon’ criteria adopted by the Saudi government. The evidence for the inaccuracies of the Saudi moon
sighting announcements are well documented above in the writings of Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Hadith Moulana
Muhammad Zakaria نوّرالله مرقده and others from amongst his students, these are first hand eye-witnesses. This
is extremely serious, as it ruins the worship of hundreds and thousands of Muslims in the UK and thus has the
potential of destroying the Aakhirah of those individuals. If the moon sighting of the Saudi government was
correct, the great centres of the Indian Subcontinent (which are the closest to Saudi Arabia geographically)
such as : Darul Uloom Deoband, Mazahir ul Uloom Saharanpur, Jamia Islamia Dabhel, Nizammudin Delhi
Markaz and Raiwind Markaz would have been the first to follow it. These are the very teachers and elders of
the Jamiatul Ulama Britain & Hizbul Ulama UK. Why is it then that the Jamiatul Ulama Britain & Hizbul Ulama
UK wish to enforce the Saudi sighting upon the Muslims of the UK when the great Scholars at the centres
mentioned above do not follow the Saudi Government, they have expressly stated their reason for not
following the Saudi sighting is that they ‘do not wish to ruin their worship, and nullify their fast.’ To the extent
that they take the name of Hadhrat Mufti Rashid Ahmed Ludhyanwi رحمه الله , using it to justify their principle of it
not being permissible to use calculations for the commencement of the new Islamic month. However, at the
same time they themselves follow Saudi Arabia leaving aside the advice of their elders mentioned below:
People should not blindly follow Saudi and invalidate their obligatory fast – Sheikh-ul-Hadith Darul
Uloom Deoband, Mufti Saeed Ahmad Palanpuri حفظه الله , (Tuhfatul Al Ma’ee Sharah Sunan Tarmidhi vol 3, p57).

Hadhrat Mufti Rashid Ahmed Ludyanwi رحمه الله stated: ‘The news of the moon sighting in Saudi Arabia reaching
the status of ‘Istifaadha’ (beneficial) is questionable and further, due to the sighting in Saudi Arabia being
against the principles of the Hanafi Fiqh and true logic; it is unacceptable to be accepted for Pakistan.
According to the Hanafi Fiqh, when the skies are clear a large group (Jamme Ghafeer) of witnesses is a
condition. The government of Saudi Arabia in all conditions decide upon one or two witnesses in Ramadhan,
Shawwal and Dhul Hijjah.’ (Ahsan ul Fataawaa Volume 4 Page 426)

Hadhrat Mufti Taqi Usmani Sahib حفظه الله stated; ‘If the Saudi Ruy’at was correct I would have accepted it for
Pakistan, but in reality (Haqiqat) there (in Saudi) they say 'we will look at Shahadat’, irrespective of the fact
that logically the sighting is impossible as the moon is not even born, and the difference between Saudi and
other countries is of two days, as I (Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthamani) do not agree with this opinion, I don't act
upon it," he states further "otherwise we would have agreed with the Saudi judgement”’.
(http://www.deeneislam.com/ur/horiz/h...hp?CID=74&cp=1)

Further in a letter dated 19th Rabi us Thani 1412AH Mufti Taqi Usmani Sahib حفظه الله stated: ‘I have replied to
your letter and I hope that you have now received the earlier letter. In summary, I would like to say that the
inhabitants of Britain in the present circumstances should not consider the moon sighting of Saudi Arabia as
sufficient and they should contact Morocco in case of the weather not being clear. In Saudi Arabia the sighting
of the moon has been accepted before even the birth of the moon on many occasions which is impossible in
my view. I have discussed the situation with many Saudi Scholars and they are also disturbed with these
occurrences. However, since this is in the hands of the Majlisul Qadha Al-A’la (Saudi Supreme Court Riyadh)
they are helpless.’ (To Shaykh Ul Hadith Moulana Samiruddeen, From Mufti Taqi Usmani Darul Uloom Karachi)

It is clear from the statement of Mufti Taqi Uthmani that the Scholars of Saudi Arabia are not subdued in this
matter of moon sighting. There Scholars of Haq in Saudi Arabia have always been against the inappropriate
and incorrect announcements of the government. There Scholars have on numerous occasions met in Abu
Dhabi (UAE) to discuss the incorrect criteria utilised by the Saudi government to announce the new Islamic
month.

To follow the Saudi moon sighting is granting freedom in interpreting the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah without
proof or knowledge. This in the manner that the Ghair Muqalideen are accustomed to. In 11 months of the
year, these two Jamaats (Jamiat ul Ulama Britannia and Hizbul Ulema UK) propagate the teachings of the
Hanafi Fiqh. When the time for Ramadhan comes they seek to blindly follow the Saudi moon sighting
announcement. These originate from Government officials in Riyadh who are acting upon the birth of the new
moon sighting to establish Ramadhan and the Eids! These same officials have taken the unanimous
agreement of the Companions of the Prophet – Ijma Sahaba - of 20 Rakats Taraweeh and replaced it with
8 Rakats everywhere in Saudi except the Haramain! The same people (Ghair Muqalideen) who have taken
the announcement of 3 Talaqs and made it one…making what is impermissible, acceptable!

Are Jamiatul Ulama Britain & Hizbul Ulema UK against the theory of Astronomical
calculation?

Verily, these two groups Jamiatul Ulama Britain Jamiat & Hizbul Ulema UK, state verbally and in their writings
that they do not accept the theory of Astronomical calculations. However, in reality following of Saudi equates
to the contrary, they so completely and uncompromisingly follow Saudi as to leave no room for the sighting of
the crescent moon with the naked eye (Muhaqaq Ru’yat Basari) and witnessing by a large group (Jamme
Ghafeer) to take any precedence. The Saudi moon sighting announcements over the past 30 years have
never once been subject to the mandatory criteria mentioned above. Further to this, t