Moon Sighting Dispute

Let's Look at the Moon

While the world moves ahead, stepping over the moon with technological advancements, we still treat its sighting as a mystery, embroiled in debates about whether Eid should be declared by sighting the moon or simply when the right time for Eid arrives. But what does religion say about this?

Let’s try to understand this by comparing the moon sighting issue with the way we determine prayer times. In the Quran and Hadith, prayer times are established based on the movement of the Earth. For example, in Surah Hud (11:114), it states:

"And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds drive away evil deeds. This is a reminder for those who remember."

Similarly, Surah Al-Isra (17:78) mentions:

"Establish prayer at the decline of the sun until the darkness of the night..."

Now, here’s the question: if it's cloudy and you can't see the sun, do you stop praying? No. Instead, you rely on your clock to perform your prayers at the scheduled time because you've already determined prayer times based on the Earth's movement, not the visibility of the sun.

The same logic applies to Eid. If on the 29th or 30th of Ramadan, clouds obscure the moon and it's not visible, do you delay Eid? No, you proceed because you're certain the moon has risen after the 30th day. The issue, then, is not whether the moon is visible, but whether it's time for Eid. The moon isn't some magical entity without which Eid is impossible. If a person were on the moon, would they celebrate Eid every day?

In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:189), the Quran clarifies the purpose of the moon:

"They ask you about the new moons. Say, 'They are measurements of time for the people and for Hajj.'"

This makes it clear: the moon is simply a tool for measuring time. Its significance lies in tracking time, much like a clock. The sighting of the moon signals the end of a month, nothing more. The Quran only mandates fasting for a full month.

Turning to Science:

The moon revolves around the Earth like a satellite and completes one orbit in 27.321 days. During this period, the sunlight hits the moon at various angles, creating the phases we observe. 

 A complete cycle of these phases, visible to us, takes 29.53 days. Since the Earth is also in motion, the frame and angle from which we observe the moon change. It takes an additional 2.2 days for the moon to return to the same position in the sky because the Earth has shifted in its orbit. This means we can see the moon complete its phase cycle in either 29 or 30 days, depending on the additional fraction of a day.

The Debate Around Moon Sighting:

Some individuals exploit this confusion. For instance, certain religious figures outright reject scientific findings, yet conveniently use data provided by astronomers like Dr. Shahid of Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO). They dismiss some scientific zones but accept others when it supports their argument, while claiming their own moon sighting methods never fail scientifically. If that’s the case, then science should hold even greater value. Are we deliberately trying to remain ignorant, or are we truly ignorant? We are a smart nation, but sadly, we put in too much effort to act otherwise.

A Social Issue:

Eid is not just a religious festival; it's a social event. Unity within society comes from celebrating joys and sorrows together. Imagine the people of Peshawar and Islamabad celebrating Eid together as one, rather than one fasting while the other rejoices. Just like in Europe and America, where on December 25th, the entire continent celebrates Christmas together, this collective joy creates a sense of unity. It’s like the difference between celebrating a victory in a stadium, surrounded by cheering fans, and watching it alone on TV — the collective experience amplifies the happiness.

But in contrast, our moon sighting debates make it seem like one group lives in the Arctic and the other in the Antarctic. If these religious leaders would take a moment to observe the nature of the moon and sun in those regions, perhaps they'd gain some insight. We are already a divided nation in many areas, from Karachi to Khyber. The few things that can unify us — like cricket or Eid — are sacrificed at the altar of narrow-mindedness.

A Rational Solution:

The solution is simple: let science handle the matter. It can ensure that the entire country celebrates Eid on the same day, using scientific certainty rather than subjective sighting. If certain scholars refuse to accept this, then it's time to disband the central moon sighting committee. Why have a central authority if its decisions can't even be supported by its own logic? Let each person, each region, decide for themselves. If that’s the preferred route, then so be it — everyone can observe Eid whenever they see fit.

This is not just about sighting the moon — it’s about unity, logic, and progress. If we let science guide us, we can have clarity and cohesion in our celebrations, rather than continued division over something as predictable as the moon.