this morning

This morning when I woke up, I was inspired to think about the state of fasting
As usual I am not a scientific person, though sometimes I may draw on arguments/thesis raised by them to ponder on, but as with all things I tend to speak from the heart.
It occurred to me last night when speaking to some of my friends that in fact as a muslim nation, we are celebrating different tines for fast ending ( as far as I know its 3, could be 4 …)

When did we as a collective of those who want to worship God, when did we start to deviate from Gods words to such an extent that there is divisions in how we observe religion: worshipping God?

We don’t have the same start time for starting Ramadan, and hence we don’t have the same end time for ending Ramadan??

These differences might even because of time differences but its not!
Here in Glasgow, some people declared finishing Ramadan, on the 28th Sep, some 29th Sep and some 30th Sep. This one thing amazes me you know…

All because of sighting moon, seeing moon….

Couple of things are facts for me

There is one God
God created one moon. It is this same moon that all of planet earth are trying to “see” to determine Ramadan, just as trying to calculate the months: since Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar…
The earth is round, so by deduction, some may see moon some may not…
The sky is covered with clouds; this can sometimes obscure the view of the moon, even if it is visible to see….

I finished my fast on the 29th sep. Why did I choose to do this despite the other ones?

For me, I have come to the state where I feel it is not mandatory or binding to see the moon to begin the start of a new month….

One
If Ramadan is the start of a new month and calendar runs “lunarly”, then new moon wont even be sighted, its not until a couple of days after the new moon has been created that one may be able to see the crescent shape depending on which part of the world they are in

Two,
The other months of the Islamic year, we do not hear anything of sighting moon to determine the first day of the month… could it be because we are all agreed that the month is 29 or 30, if by that reasoning then why is Ramadan singled out?

I thank God, that in this space age there is now a more accurate way to determine the start of a new moon and to document the stages of the moon – NASA and all that…

Everything I have searched on the internet, says that a new moon started on 7.58pm 30th of August and the next new moon 08:12am 29th of September…. All accurate to degree of plus or minus 1 in the times….

So all scientists are agreed that this is when you get a new moon by these dates….

So why do some of us as a collective wish and insist on following sightings of crescent moon which going by stages of the moon will occur during the 3rd, 4th or 5th day after the moon has been created?

I hope this incited you to find out more and God willing may God guide us to the truth.

My step mum used to say one thing: Olorun lo n mo eni to o n sii n ohun,
Which translated: God knows those who serve him….

Funny enuff, what does the Quran say about the moon (here are 2 translations… Khalifa and Yusuf Ali)

2:189
¨ They ask you about the phases of the moon! Say, "They provide a timing device for the people, and determine the time of Hajj." It is not righteous to beat around the bush; righteousness is attained by upholding the commandments and by being straightforward. You shall observe God, that you may succeed.

¨ They ask thee concerning the New Moons. Say: They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time in (the affairs of) men, and for Pilgrimage. It is no virtue if ye enter your houses from the back: It is virtue if ye fear God. Enter houses through the proper doors: And fear God: That ye may prosper.


6:96
¨ At the crack of dawn, He causes the morning to emerge. He made the night still, and He rendered the sun and the moon to serve as calculation devices. Such is the design of the Almighty, the Omniscient.

¨ He it is that cleaveth the day-break (from the dark): He makes the night for rest and tranquillity, and the sun and moon for the reckoning (of time): Such is the judgment and ordering of (Him), the Exalted in Power, the Omniscient.


10:5
¨ He is the One who rendered the sun radiant, and the moon a light, and He designed its phases that you may learn to count the years and to calculate. God did not create all this, except for a specific purpose. He explains the revelations for people who know.

¨ It is He Who made the sun to be a shining glory and the moon to be a light (of beauty), and measured out stages for her; that ye might know the number of years and the count (of time). Nowise did God create this but in truth and righteousness. (Thus) doth He explain His Signs in detail, for those who understand.


13:2
¨ God is the One who raised the heavens without pillars that you can see, then assumed all authority. He committed the sun and the moon, each running (in its orbit) for a predetermined period. He controls all things, and explains the revelations, that you may attain certainty about meeting your Lord.

¨ God is He Who raised the heavens without any pillars that ye can see; is firmly established on the throne (of authority); He has subjected the sun and the moon (to his Law)! Each one runs (its course) for a term appointed. He doth regulate all affairs, explaining the signs in detail, that ye may believe with certainty in the meeting with your Lord.

36:39
¨ The moon we designed to appear in stages, until it becomes like an old curved sheath.

¨ And the Moon,- We have measured for her mansions (to traverse) till she returns like the old (and withered) lower part of a date-stalk.



For added measure I will add to the end

9:36
¨ The count of months, as far as God is concerned, is twelve. This has been God's law, since the day He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred. This is the perfect religion; you shall not wrong your souls (by fighting) during the Sacred Months. However, you may declare all-out war against the idol worshipers (even during the Sacred Months), when they declare all-out war against you, and know that God is on the side of the righteous.

¨ The number of months in the sight of God is twelve (in a year)- so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred: that is the straight usage. So wrong not yourselves therein, and fight the Pagans all together as they fight you all together. But know that God is with those who restrain themselves.



These are some of what the Quran says, now tell me, who is there other then the Almighty to guide us……???