1.
Observing the Hilal in Hanafi, Maliki and Hambali Schools.
For those who get the
information that the new month has been fixed somewhere in the world on a
particular day, it is imperative that they approve it and observe Fasting or
Eid according to it. Difference in the horizon is not considered here. If this
principle is accepted, it is possible to observe Fasting or Eid on the same Day
of the week throughout the world. Majority of the Muslims in the world today
belongs to different Schools of Thought. Let us see whether they accept this
principle.
The Book called Madhahibul
Arba', which has evaluated the opinions of different Schools says, "When
seeing of the Hilal is confirmed in any quarter, then fasting becomes
obligatory for those in all other quarters. There is no consideration for the
difference of Mathla'h' (horizon) of the Hilal with the three Imams but the
Shafiys have differed.”(Madhahibul Arba' vol 1, page 550).
Imam Shafiy also opines that
all should accept the decision. He has talked about the Mathla'h' (the Date
line) of which we have mentioned above. Obviously, he has pondered upon the
problem of the Kiblah and the Jumu'a changeover in the world. It is clearly
seen from the writings of the Scholars, who came after the great Imams that they
could not understand what Shafiy (RA) had said. They were influenced by other
incorrect views, which had crept into the books. They have even rejected some
of Shafiy's statements!