Views of the
Salafi Scholars:
After those who follow the Madhabs, it is the
Salafiys that represent the other groups of the Muslim community. Salafiys have
no objection to act on the Hilal witnessed elsewhere on the Earth. Let us
examine what the Salafiy scholars say:
1. Shaikhul
Islam Ibn Taimiyya (RA) writes:
"The basic principle here is getting the news
about the Hilal. According to the saying of the Prophet: ‘Begin the fasting at
its appearance’. "When one gets the information that it has appeared it is
binding on him as well without any restriction as to the distance."
(Majma' fatawa. Vol, 25 page 107).
2. The
renowned Salafi Scholar Imam Shaukani (RA) writes:
What is reliable is the decision of the Malikiys and
a group of Zaidis. Their Imam Mahdi has chosen it. Imam Qurthubi has quoted
this from his Shaikhs. "When the people of a country see it, it is binding
on the people of all countries." (Nailul Autar 4-269).
3.In Adduraril
Mudie'a, another work of Imam Shaukani(RA) it is said: (published by Ihyaul Turasul
Islam of Kuwait)
"When one country saw it, it is binding on all
the other united countries. He has based this on the clear Ahadith, which
impose fasting at its appearance and celebrating Eid at its appearance. It is an address to the entire community.
Therefore if one of them saw it anywhere he has seen it on behalf of all."
(Addurar.1-134).
Please note that the word Ra'a for seeing has two
meanings; 1. Seeing. 2. Knowing.
This word is used extensively in the Qur'aan in both the meanings. It only
means that when the advent of Ramadan is confirmed at a place by observing the
Hilal or after completing 30 days for Shaban or knowing the time of appearing
of the Hilal by other means, it is binding on all people in the world. The
month of Ramadan would commence on a particular Day of the week and all should
agree that it has begun on that Day.
4. The
renowned scholar Ibn Khudama writes:
"When the people of a country saw the Hilal,
fasting is obligatory on all countries." (Mugni: 3-5). See some of the
evidence he produces. "Muslims are unanimous in that the fasting is
obligatory in the month of Ramadan and if it is proved by strong testimony that
the Day belongs to Ramadan, then fasting on it is compulsory on all Muslims.
Fasting is obligatory for all, just as it is obligatory for the neighboring
countries."
5. Shamsuddin
Muquaddis (736 AH) writes:
"When seeing is confirmed at a place near or
far, fasting is obligatory for all countries. The rule of those who did not see
it is just as of those who saw it even if the Mathla’h (horizons)
differed."(Kitabul Furoo'a).
6. In
Arraulathunnadiyya it is written:
"The evidence to say that fasting is obligatory
on all is the clear Ahadith ordering to fast at its appearance and to celebrate
Eidul Fitre at its appearance. This is an address to the entire community. So
if one of them saw it, wherever it may be, that seeing is enough for all of
them." (Arraulathynnadiyya 1-38).
7. In
Fiqhussunnah it is written:
"Majority of the Scholars asserts that there is
no consideration for the difference of Mathla’h (horizons). When people of a
country saw the Hilal, fasting is compulsory for all countries on the words of
the Prophet (saw), "fast at its appearance and celebrate the Eidul Fitre
at its appearance". This is an address to the entire community. So if
anyone among them saw it, wherever it may be, that seeing is for all of
them." (Fiqhussunnah 2-436)
8. Tuhfathul
Ahvadiyya, a commentary of Turmudi, quoting the view of Imam Shaukani (RA) establishes
that if the Hilal is seen somewhere on the Earth it is binding on all those who
received that information (379/3).
9. In Kithabul
Insaf it is stated: (re-published by the special interest of the King of Saudi Arabia)
"When the people of a country see the Hilal,
fasting is obligatory on all mankind" (Insaf. 3-273).
10. Ibn
Majishoon (RA) says:
"The witnessing will be binding only on the
people of the country in which the witnessing is confirmed except that it is
confirmed with the Grand Imam, then it will be binding on all of them because
in his sight all countries are like one country. Then his decree will be
executed all over." (Fat'hul Barry 5: 601, Bidaya 1: 228).
11. In Nailul
Ma'arib, the revered Imam Shaybani says:
"Fasting of Ramadan becomes obligatory on the
appearance of its Hilal on all mankind and the rule for those who did not see
it is that of those who saw it even if the Mathla’h (horizons) differed."
(Nailul Ma'arib, 1-66)
12. Shaikhul
Islam Mansoor Ibn Yunus (RA) says:
"When the people of a country see the Hilal or
when its appearance is confirmed in a country, fasting becomes obligatory on
all mankind because of his (SAW) saying, 'fast at its appearance', is an
address to the entire community." (Raudul Mar’i’ 1-46).
13. Allama
Abbas Karara says:
"When the Hilal is confirmed in any quarter,
fasting becomes obligatory for the people in all quarters." (Addeen P.56).
This is the opinion of the majority of the Salafiy
Scholars now living in the Gulf countries. The Saudi government is following
this principle for long. When the Ramadan fasting and the Eid are fixed the
Hilal is not necessarily seen in Saudi Arabia, they consider the Hilal of
America or other places for this purpose. Though some of them are against using
the calculations they have no objection in accepting the information of the
Hilal of another place. Hambali Madhab is prevalent there.