The politics of moon-sighting

Although the Islamic precept is clear: when a Muslim leader who is charged with following the procedure for verification declares that the moon has been sighted, Muslims in that community should commence fasting. However, various communities argue over where and when the moon is sighted and whether Muslims in Nigeria should wait until Saudi Arabia […]

Although the Islamic precept is clear: when a Muslim leader who is charged with following the procedure for verification declares that the moon has been sighted, Muslims in that community should commence fasting. However, various communities argue over where and when the moon is sighted and whether Muslims in Nigeria should wait until Saudi Arabia announces commencement of Ramadan before we also begin. Some communities in the rural area insist on fasting only when they see the moon clearly with their eyes and do not commence fasting when the majority of Nigerians begin. They often commence their fast two or three days after the moon has been sighted in their own country. This erodes from the precepts for undertaking an obligatory act of worship.  Every day of fasting they miss is unquantifiable loss for them even if they extend their fast to make up for the lost days.
It is imperative to cite the Prophet’s SAW sermon on Ramadan and its immense benefit. “O People! The month of Allah (Ramadan) has come with its mercies, blessings and forgiveness. Allah has decreed this month the best of all months. The days of this month are the best among the days and the nights are the best among the nights and the hours during Ramadan are the best among the hours. This is a month in which you have been invited by Him (to fast and pray). Allah has honoured you in it. Therefore, you must invoke your Lord in all earnestness with hearts free from sin and evil, and pray that Allah may help you to keep fast, and to recite the Holy Qur’an. Indeed! miserable is the one who is deprived of Allah’s forgiveness in this great month. While fasting, remember the hunger and thirst o¬n the Day of Judgement. Give alms to the poor and needy. Pay respect to your elders, have sympathy for your youngsters and be kind towards your relatives and kinsmen. Guard your tongue against unworthy words, and your eyes from scenes that are not worth seeing (forbidden) and your ears from sounds that should not be heard.
Be kind to orphans so that if your children may become orphans they will also be treated with kindness. Allah Answers if you supplicate, Responds if you call, Grants if He is asked, and Accepts if you entreat. O people! You have made your conscience the slave of your desires. Make it free by invoking Allah for forgiveness.’’
It is therefore important that Muslims address these issues and educate all adherents on the significance of getting the commencement of Ramadan right. A three-day National Conference on “The Challenges of Moon-Sighting in Nigeria: The Way Forward” was organized by Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, in collaboration with Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Sokoto State Ministry for Religious Affairs. The event held at the auditorium of the National Mosque Abuja from July 16 to 19th 2014.
It began with an opening ceremony which was attended by dignitaries. Among them were the Vice-President Arch. Muhammad Namadi Sambo, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Jama`atu Nasril Islam and the Nigeria  Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. Twenty-two papers on topics related to moon-sighting were presented by experts.
There were interactive sessions where numerous views were expressed. Some of these views were captured in a communiqué signed by Professor S. W. Junaidu and Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, Chairman, Local Organising Committee and the Secretary General (JNI) respectively. They are:
– That there is diversity of opinions in determining moon-sighting in Nigeria as manifested in the following positions:
– Only physical sighting of the moon should be used for establishing the commencement of the lunar months of Ramadan and others because this is closer to adhering to the Shari’ah as well as the Qur’an and Sunnah.
– Physical sighting of the moon should be the basis of establishing the lunar months but scientific projection, tools or devices can be employed as a guide.
– Physical sighting should be rejected if scientific projection suggests that the moon could not be sighted.   
– There is concern about lack of unity among Muslims as regards moon-sighting and the observance of Islamic festivals.
– There is lack of strong allegiance to the central leadership of the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.
– Some of the utterances made during Tafsir and preaching sessions in the month of Ramadan are capable of undermining the unity of the Ummah in Nigeria.
– The incessant threats to peace and security in the country are a matter of grave concern to Muslims.
In view of the above observations, the Conference resolved as follows:
– There is a consensus that physical sighting of the moon for the commencement and termination of Ramadan fasting and other Islamic events should be in conformity with Qur`an and Sunnah.
– Science and technology could be employed to assist in sighting the new moon and in ensuring the adherence to the Shari’ah in this regard. The employment of science and technology should be complementary to the physical sighting of the moon.
– For the purpose of eliminating misconception and confusions regarding moon-sighting, a strategy for comprehensive public enlightenment should be put in place.
– A round-table discussion should be organized for the Ulama and other Muslim Scholars to bridge the existing gap on all contentious issues on moon-sighting.
– The conference re-affirmed the allegiance of the Nigerian Muslims to the central leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto and therefore calls on all Muslims in Nigeria to abide by his announcements on moon-sighting.
– The conference called on the Ulama to adhere strictly to the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah during the Ramadan Tafsir and other preaching sessions. In addition, they should avoid provocative and misleading statements.
– The participants agreed and accepted the JNI Tafsir/Preaching Guidelines and promised to abide by it.
– The conference called on Nigerians, irrespective of their religious, ethnic or regional differences, to live in peace with one another and avoid any attitude and action that could breach the peace and security of the nation. It urged the entire Ummah to always live in peace, unity and enjoined them to pray for the peace and stability of Nigeria.
Dignitaries who attended the event include representatives of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Governors of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, the Vice-Chancellor, Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, royal fathers, the Ulama, Muslim scholars, Islamic organisations, members of the academia and other distinguished personalities from all parts of the country.