السلام عليكم

My name is Abdul Aziz and one of the Administrators at Wifaqul Ulama. Wifaqul Ulama messages and tweets usually carry my contact number which is +447956589613, you can also email me. I will update this link once I have permissions.

If you live in UK, you have my number, come down and have a cup of tea and lets discuss how we can resolve issues for British Muslims. I am not here to abuse anyone or to get abused. However, I am here to answer your queries (if I can) limited to Moon Sighting. If you live outside of UK your views are still important but our priority is 3 million British Muslims.

The Ameer (Maulana) Yasin has been notified that I will be posting some messages about Wifaqul Ulama on this forum.

جزاك اللهُ خيرًا

Why is there a problem with Moon Sighting in Britain?

Question: Please explain as to why there is such a problem with Moon Sighting in Britain? Why do other Ulama differ with you? What can be done to resolve the issue?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh

I would like to begin by extending my gratitude to you for asking this question. May Allah (SWT) give you the best of rewards (Ameen).

My name is Abdul Aziz and one of the Administrators at Wifaqul Ulama. Wifaqul Ulama messages and tweets usually carry my contact number which is +447956589613, you can also email me.

Read the full article here...

Who are Wifaqul Ulama and the Scholars who support it?

Mufti Sajid Patel

(Qari) Muhammad Shoyaib Nurgat

Question: Please explain as to who are Wifaqul Ulama and the Scholars who support it? Can I get the name of some of the major British Scholars who support your stance on Moon Sighting? Why are Wifaqul Ulama only concerned with Moon? Doesn't the Ummah have bigger problems?  

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh

We would like to begin by extending our gratitude to you for asking this question. May Allah (SWT) give you the best of rewards (Ameen).

Moon Sighting is an issue which affects Muslim regardless of their sectarian affiliations. What we mean to imply is that Moon Sighting is required for the establishment of Islamic acts of worships regardless of your affiliations. i.e. you could be  Deobandi, Barelwee, Salafi etc but you still require a system of Moon Sighting. There are many Ulama and bodies in Britain who (MashaAllah) perform specific duties for example Halal certification etc. It is unfair to say to these Ulama that they have confined themselves to the issue of “Halal Food” and neglected other areas of Islam. However, when it comes to Ulama who are involved with Wifaqul Ulama we believe that by the time you reach the end of this small introduction your views that Wifaqul Ulama only concern themselves with Moon will be evaporated, InshaAllah.

Read the full article here
 

Does Wifaqul Ulama consider Hajj in Saudi Arabia to be invalid?

Mufti Sajid Patel

(Qari) Muhammad Shoyaib Nurgat

Question: Since Wifaqul Ulama considers Moon Sighting for Saudi Arabia to be invalid, doesn't it automatically call into question the validity of Hajj. Can I have a direct answer, please?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh

We would like to begin by extending our gratitude to you for asking this question. May Allah (SWT) give you the best of rewards (Ameen).

In a nutshell and in the most direct manner, Wifaqul Ulama DOES NOT question the validity of Hajj NOR its date OR it’s establishment. Wifaqul Ulama has never done so in the past and never will. I hope this answers your question in the most direct and emphatic manner, lets proceed with a detailed analyses of your query and various reasons for the invalidity of such a position from Sharia based sources and common sense.

Read the full article

Scientific Studies on Wifaqul Ulama Methodology:

The Islamic Calendar according to Muslims in the UK

Mufti Syed Amjad M Mohammed

BSc(Hons) BMAIS PGCE PGDipRes PGCHEP FHEA MPhil NPQH

Towards a Unified Approach to Crescent Moon Sighting in the UK

(Dr) Mamnunur Rahman Khan

PhD (Molecular Immunology, Cambridge University)

Wa-Alaikum-Salaam,

Fantastic question, MashaAllah.

In a nutshell the visibility curves are based on past sighting records at a particular location. New moon conjunction is absolutely accurate, sunset and moonset times are accurate but visibility charts that the moon “can be seen by Naked eye or telescope” are computational i.e. based on locational data.

There are minimum thresholds e.g. below around 7 degrees, a moon cannot be seen and also illumination etc.

There is a presentation in the link below by Qamaruddin which explains these factors, see the Interview under "Muslim Experts" below

Does Wifaqul Ulama rely on calculations and advice of Non-Muslims for Sharia matters?

Mufti Sajid Patel

(Qari) Muhammad Shoyaib Nurgat

Question: Please explain as to why does Wifaqul Ulama rely on calculations and advice of Non-Muslims for Sharia matters such as Moon Sighting?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh

We would like to begin by extending our gratitude to you for asking this question. May Allah (SWT) give you the best of rewards (Ameen).

In a nutshell and in the most direct manner, Wifaqul Ulama DOES NOT rely on the advice of Non-Muslims in any Sharia matters including Moon Sighting.

Read full article here

The Scholars and Institutions which you mention are our Seniors and Elders. I am a nobody to approach them (at my level).

At the level of Shaykhul-Hadeeth Maulana Ayub Sahib and others, WIfaqul Ulama always invites Ulama to all meetings and there have been in numerous attempts at dialogue and discussions over the years. This is true for Wifaqul Ulama as well as Batley Ulama.

If any British Muslim wishes to setup a meeting between Ulama, you have my contact details in this thread and I will assist them in any way to make sure that there is (InshaAllah) representation from Wifaqul Ulama.

Moonsighting The Wifaq ul Ulama Way: The Cautious Way

We remind the Muslims that loyalty must be to the commands of Allah and the teachings of his beloved Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam).

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh

5 Year Wifaqul Ulama & Batley Moon Sighting Committee (BMSC) data:

Please see the results which are available for the last 5 years:

1. Year 1437:
   • Faxes from Morocco are displayed for the whole year
   • Twice the decision was based on UK
   • Safar 1437 Moonsighting was unsuccesfull in South Africa but successful in Morocco so we started with Morocco
2. Year 1436:
   • Faxes from Morocco are displayed for the whole year
3. Year 1435:
   • Faxes from Morocco are displayed for the whole year
4. Year 1434:
   • Faxes from Morocco are displayed for the whole year
5. Year 1433:
   • Faxes from Morocco are displayed for the whole year

If you consider the data for almost 5 years you will note that the system has little to do with South Africa.

Also see the presentation about Morocco:

wifaqululama.co.uk/moonsighting/objectwifaq/54-mormoon

جزاك اللهُ خيرًا