Q: Sheikh, please do not be offended, at our musjid we had an issue. Saudi said they saw the moon, one brother refused to accpt it. He is one of these facy MIT brothers mshaALlah. Why are some people opposed to Saudi moon sighting when we are one ummah? If they see the moon, why do some reject it?
A: The fact that he is from MIT, it shows that he is possibly scientifically inclined, and I appreciate his knowledge and sensitivity, Alhamdulillah.
The phrase ‘global sighting‘ implies actual sighting, not just a claim. Please let that last phrase sink in!Additionally, we live in a society and a culture where expert testimony carries weight. When astronomers assert that the moon cannot be seen before a given time period, and only in one part of the world is the moon always seen prior to it being visible as per religious and scientific standards, then one can call such claims bogus. Thus, the issue is not Saudi or non-Saudi; it is about matching up the sightings with scientific and religious data. If one notices a consistent flaw when working with societies from a given geographic location, either due to their lack of scientific knowledge, or just sheer ignorance, etc., then following such sightings would need to be placed on hold. Additionally, if one uses global sightings as a method, then global would include, as the word implies, global and not just one country. Sadly, to many global means just one location, and this defeats the purposes of ‘global sightings.’
And no, we are NOT One United Ummah, had we been ONE United Ummah, our babies, mothers and the elderly in Palestine would need to go through what they are going through while much of the Muslim world plays politics and dances around the topic of ending human savagery and brutality! So do not fool yourself on this label of Unity through having one day for Ramadan and Eid(s)! Look at it from a more scientific and probabilities angle, while also including the religious components of it as well.
I do appreciate you taking out the time and sending in your inquiry. Seeking your prayers for one and All.
Ramadan Kareem!
Allah Certainly Knows Best.
P.s. If you are local, please drop by for a deeper conversation on this matter with an appointment. Too many angels to it, hard to respond via a mere blog post. Jazakallah!