different nights for the 27th Rajab ?

[Jamil]

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

Imam Sahib the inevitable has happenned again ? We have two different Sunni Jama'ats with two diferent dates for the Miraj night of ibaadat !!

One group says its tonight and one group says its tommorow night, who is right and who is wrong if you can answer this and how do they make or base their decisions differently. This will inevitably mean two different dates for Ramadhaan and Eid and never mind the Wahhabis


Jazakallah for your time and patience.

[Imam]

Assalamu 'alaykum,

The two dates which you have highlighted are based on differing views and opinions on how to determine the commencement of each lunar month. The Messenger of Allah, Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam, instructed the Ummah to commence each lunar month with the actual physical sighting of the crescent, and to complete a full lunar month of thirty days if for example due to cloud cover we were unable to visibly see the crescent. This is a very simple way of determining the commencement of each lunar month, both for the educated and the illiterate alike. The Din is very simple and likes simplicity and Allah, The Exalted, does not allow mankind to bear that which mankind cannot bear but with difficulty. A simple method for a complicated and complex high tech age in which we live.

There are two main opposing views due to the fact that some Scholars have felt the need to re-interpret and re-define the simple words of the Messenger of Allah, Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam, paving the way for the usage of scientific astronomical data, which provides precise advanced scientific calculations/predictions on the position, location, birth and moon setting of the crescent.

This has led to many individual and institutional researches on its acceptability in principle or as supporting evidences to the Shari'ah based methodology as instructed by the Messenger of Allah, Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam. Unfortunately, our 'Ulama are not united on one unified approach/methodology. Those who principally agree to and accept the usage of Greenwich's Astronomical data for the prediction of the commencement of each lunar month of the Islamic Calendar are further divided in how to justify its application in harmony with Shari'ah principles. We in the UK have witnessed several variations of opinions expressed by the 'Ulama in general during the course of the last decade.

However, untill our 'Ulama do not agree upon the Shar'iy method such differences will remain to be seen. The historical Islamic dates, such as Laylatul M'iraj, which we remember and reflect upon are not precise but seen as the most probable and upon which there is overwhelming consensus amongst the classical and subsequent 'Ulama. One solution for you in light of the Qur'an: 'compete with one another over good deeds' and the Sunnah: 'to perform two days of 'Ibadah; fasts' in contradiction to the deeds of the Ahl al-Kitab; People of the Book, is to engage in worship for two consecutive nights. You are sure to find the sacred night for the fullness of reward and your deeds will never be wasted, as Allah, Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, says in Al-Qur'an, "Indeed, Allah, does not waste the reward of the good doers".

Finally, one must remind oneself of the famous Hadith on the tongues of every believer, 'Verily, all actions are according to their intentions'. So let this not be your principle concern tonight but rather try to compromise with sincere intentions in light of the consensus of the Shar'iy principles elaborated upon, which we all endeavour to obey and follow.

And Allah, Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, is the Most Knowledgeable, Merciful and all Forgiving.