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This is the Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) about Eid-ul-Adha which was previously posted on the older version of our website but is now updated in 2008 with fatwas with daleels, links, etc. Changes/Updates in 2008 are noted on the bottom.
Asalamalaykum,
There were some questions asked via the online Feedback Form which some other people in
the community have asked as well about how the Cary Masjid decision was made.
In 2007 there was a 2 day difference in the Eid celebrated by Raleigh and Cary. 2008 related questions are also answerd below.
We hope the FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions) below addresses your concern.
FAQ
Q1.
What is the Cary Masjid's policy about the start of Islamic months &
Eid?
A1. The Cary Masjid's basis for the start of the Islamic months
has been the physical sighting of the moon with the naked eye supported by the
astronomical data for the possibility for moon sighting in North America. This
applies to the start of Ramadan, Shawaal, Zul-Hijja, and the rest of the months
as well.
Q2. Why doesn't the Cary
Masjid do Eid-ul-Adha based on 10th Zul-Hijjah in Saudi Arabia as the Day of
Arafat occurs there?
A2. Eid-ul-Adha is indeed on the 10th of
Zul-Hijjah. However, our cirteria for the Islamic month is based on North
American moon sighting for every month so we do not follow the start of the
month in Saudi Arabia as a basis. A fatwa - Determination of Eid by Mufti Taqi Usmani and another one by Imaam Zaid Shakir - Statement on Eid Day Controversy ) about this has been made available on our website. I
would like to request you read it as it is just over a page in length.
For a very in-depth and thorough 31-page analysis including a scholar from Saudi Arabia, Sheikh AlOthaimeen (section 4.6 & 5.4) recommending local sighting for all 12 months please see this document .
Q3. (2007) Why didn't you do moon sighting in North America
on Sunday December 9th instead of Monday December 10th 2007 as they did in Saudi
Arabia?
A3. Based on our criteria, the start of the month of
Zul-Qidah was Monday November 12, 2007 as reported on www.moonsighting.com and www.chicagohilal.com. Thus the 29th of Zul-Qidah was Monday,
December 10th, 2007. This would make the possible days for Eid-ul-Adha Thursday
(Dec 20) or Friday (Dec 21) based on the start of Zul-Hijjah.
Q4. (2007) Did you go moon sighting here on Monday
night?
A4. Yes, 4 brothers split up and went to two different
locations in the Raleigh/Cary area to sight the moon but did not see
it.
Q5. (2007) Did anyone else in North America
have a confirmed sighting of the moon Monday night?
No. The sources above and on www.moonhotline.com were monitored for any sightings for
Zul-Hijja but there were no confirmed reports for North America.
Based
on this information, we declared the month of Zul-Qidah would have a 30th day on
Tuesday (Dec 11), Zul-Hijjah would start Wednesday December 12, 2007 and Eid
will be on the 10th of Zul-Hijjah, Friday December 21, 2007. This is consistent
with the Mufti Nawal-ur-Rahman Shariah Board of America's
decision which also uses moon sighting in N.A.
Q6. (2007) Does that means there is a 2 day difference
between the Raleigh's Eid-ul-Adha and Cary's Eid-ul-Adha?
A6. Yes.
This is due to different criteria being used. Ours is stated here and a fatwa provided as well. Saudi Arabia's sighting of the moon
on Sunday, which is the basis for their Wednesday Eid, is questionable due to it
being on the 28th of Zul-Qidah and on the basis of the timing of the moon's
birth. Both points are stated on moonsighting.com.
Q7. (2007) I saw the new moon at about after maghrib on
Tuesday, 11th of December which was very clear and big and stayed visible for
some time. New moon is not visible for more than few minutes. Was that the moon
for the 2nd day and Tuesday the first of Zul-Hijjah?
A7. It is
possible for a thicker moon or one that is visible for quite some time to be the
first day's moon. I would like to request you read how this is
possible which addresses this very question.
Q8. (2008) Ok, we know you follow moonsighting in North America and not Saudi Arabia, wasn't there a moon sighting Friday night which would result in a combined Eid on Mon Dec 8th?
A8. There was only one reported sighting in North America on Friday night in Florida by 2 out of 6 people in a gathering. However, at least 4 astronomers refuted this based on the information provided, one astronomer provided details based on two conversations with the person who reported the sighting. But after further inquiries and re-evaluation, we agree with the citings and celebrate Eid-ul-Adha on Mon Dec 8th.
Q9. (2008) We feel those hilaal-based masajid having Eid on Tue are in the rare minority. Are there other organizations and masajid doing the same?
A9. Yes there are. Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) being one of the more public ones, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf's Crescentwatch.org by Zaytuna Institute, Hilal Sighting Committee of North America (formed by numerous organizations and masajid from across the country) to name a few.
Q10. (2008) Is it true that other regional-Hilaal based groups are celebrating Eid on Mon Dec 8th?
A10. Yes. Some organizations believe in including Central America and South America where as others don't (including Cary Masjid). Additionally, they may have different methods of verifying a reported hilaal sighting. The "Links -> Moonsighting" section has many Hilaal based organizations listed of which two are having Eid on Dec 8th including Chicago Hilaal and Toronto Hilal .
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Jazakallahkheir for your
questions. We understand your concern and hope that we have explained and
addressed it. I would like conclude this by letting you know that both of the
masajids have the best of intentions at heart and are basing their actions on
their understanding. I pray to Allah SWT that He guide all of us towards the
right path and to give us all hidayath, Ameen.
History:
December 13, 2007, v1.0
- Article written in Eid-ul-Adha in Dec 2007as "Zul-Hajj Eid-ul-Adha - December 2007 FAQ"
November 28th 2008, v2.0:
a) "Feedback Form" updated to point from old website to new website
b) Link in A2 for "fatwa" updated from old website to new one & a link to a 2nd fatwa by Imaam Zaid Shakir has been added.
c) A6 Link updated to point to 2 fatwas that are available in the Download section of our website.
d) Article renamed to remove "December 2007"
December 2008, v2.1:
a) Edits made to make the content generally applicable versus just 2007 in some places.
b) Q8, Q9, Q10 added specific to 2008
c) Fatwa by Scholars from Saudi Arabia advocating local sighting for all 12 months added to Q2.
December 5th, 2008, v2.2:
a) FAQ updated to reflect Cary Masjid revising Eid-ul-Adha for Mon Dec 8th vs Tue Dec 9th: Q8,Q9,Q10
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May Allah help us
in our efforts
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