HILAAL OR THE CRESCENT

It is important to know the meaning of Hilaal because the Islamic month ends and begins when the Hilaal appears. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said in a Hadith:-

“Do not start fasting and do not stop fasting until you do not see the "Hilaal" (crescent).” (Bukhari)

So, that is why we should understand the meaning of Hilaal.

DIFFERENT PHASES OF THE MOON

To understand this, we must know that the moon goes through several phases during its journey. At the beginning of the month, the moon appears very thin and then it continues to expand until it becomes full on the 14th night. Then, it shrinks until it becomes very thin and finally, we do not see it anymore. So, the moon goes through several phases until it reaches its final phase on the 14th night which is called "Badr". Then it starts to shrink.

The phase when the moon is no longer seen is called Muhaaq or Iqtiraan or the birth of the moon. In technical term, it is called A.N.M (Astronomical New Moon). The moon is not seen anywhere in the world when it passes through the phase called Muhaaq or Iqtiraan.

After this phase, the moon enters another phase in which part of its surface begins to illuminate and that can be seen from the earth. The moon is called Hilaal during this phase. One month ends and another month begins with the visibility of this Hilaal. The birth of the moon has nothing to do with the Shar’iah. It is the visibility of the Hilaal that is considered because Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) has attached the beginning of Ramadhan with the "Rou'yah" (visibility) of the Hilaal and it is only the Hilaal that can be seen. As for the birth of the moon, it is something that is invisible. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) cannot give us the command to look for something that is invisible. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:-

"Start fasting at the time of its (moon) visibility and refrain from fasting at the time of its visibility. If there is an obstacle that prevents you from sighting, then complete thirty days of Sha’baan." (Bukhari)

In another Hadith, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: 

“Do not start fasting or stop fasting until you see the Hilaal (crescent)”. (Bukhari)

The Hadith of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) show that according to the principle of Islam, the month ends and begins with the sighting of the moon. The month of Ramadhan also begins when the moon has been sighted. This means that one must start fasting when the moon has been sighted. In a Hadith, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: 

"Do not start fasting until you see the "Hilaal" (crescent) ..." (Bukhari)

If the moon was not sighted, then the thirty days of the month of Sha'baan must be completed. Then, the month of Ramadhan will begin automatically because an Islamic month does not have more than 30 days.

AS FROM WHEN MUST ONE LOOK FOR THE MOON?

According to Islam, an Islamic month has 30 days just as it may also have 29 days. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:-

"The month can have 29 days (also)." (Bukhari)

Therefore, there are two possibilities for the day after the 29th of Shabaan:

a) It may be the 30th of Shabaan.

b) It may be the first of Ramadhan.

Therefore, we should look for the moon on the day after the 29th of Shabaan. Similarly, we must look for the moon on the day after the 29th Roza for the moon of Shawwaal or Eid.

HOW TO ESTABLISH THE VISIBILITY OF THE MOON OF RAMADHAN?

After the 29th of Shabaan, if the weather is clear and there are no clouds on the horizon where the moon is supposed to be sighted, a considerable number of people should testify the visibility of the moon in order to proclaim the end of Shabaan and the beginning of Ramadhan. In this case, the testimony of one or two persons does not suffice.

However, if it is cloudy and it obstructs the visibility of the moon, then the testimony of a person, who is very Deendaar, can proclaim the beginning of Ramadhan and the end of Shabaan. This person, who is very Deeni inclined, may be a man or a woman also.

If the moon was not sighted on the day after the 29th of Shabaan, then one must wait for one more day to complete 30 days. After the 30th of Shabaan, the month of Ramadhan will begin automatically.

[English version of "Le hilaal ou le croisant" – Al Jamiat – Vol.2 No.11]