An Islamic Calendar: Possible with Calculation

In the name of Allah the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful.

We praise Allah Almighty and we seek His showering of blessings upon Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allahu ‘alahyee wa Sallam) as well as His blessed family and companions.

After months of research, consultations and discussions and presentations by experts in both Islamic Law and Astronomy, we have come to the following decision on the issue of Islamic Calendar:

Allah Ta’ala says, “It is He Who made the sun to be a shining glory and the moon to be a light (of beauty), and measured out stages for it; that you might know the number of years and the count (of time). Nowise did Allah create this but in truth and righteousness. (Thus) doth He explain His Signs in detail, for those who understand.” (10:05)

Therefore, IMO will be adopting the Calculation system to determine the months and years based on the decision of the Fiqh Council of North America and the Fiqh Council of Canada which is based on many verses of the Holy Qur’an and authentic Hadiths.

We believe as it is crystal clear from the above Ayah and many other similar ones that Allah wants us to know the number of years and the count of time. The moon born before 12:00 Noon UT (Universal Time) will be minimum 18 hours old at the a point just east of I.D.L (International date Line = Where the day starts on Earth in the Pacific) at Sunset.

This is going to lead to unity insha ALLAH of the Muslims one day in the future. Our great Imams; Abu Haneefah, Malik, Ahmad and many others (May Allah have Mercy on them) encouraged and sought that Muslims should unite by following one calendar and with today’s means we can have that as we have it for Salaat times and Hajj and many other things in Islam. We hope that unity in Ibaadaat will happen very soon insha ALLAH.

The movements of the Moon and the Sun are following the pattern that Allah has set and no power can change that. They are fixed until the Day of Judgment al-Hamdulillah.
Allah (Subhanah) says,

“And the sun runs its course for a period determined for it: that is the decree of (Him), the Exalted in Might, the All-Knowing. And the Moon,- We have measured for its mansions (to traverse) till it returns like the old (and withered) lower part of a date-stalk. It is not permitted to the Sun to catch up the Moon, nor can the Night outstrip the Day: Each (just) swims along in (its own) orbit (according to Law).”, (Yaseen: 38-40)

“The sun and the moon follow courses (exactly) computed;”, (Ar-Rahman: 05)

”We have made the Night and the Day as two (of Our) Signs: the Sign of the Night have We obscured, while the Sign of the Day We have made to enlighten you; that you may seek bounty from your Lord, and that you may know the number and count of the years: all things have We explained in detail.”, (Al-Israa: 12)

Undoubtedly, Allah wants us to know the days, months and years. Without the calculation that is more exact than ever before we can know al-hamdulillah as we know the temperature, the time, the sunset and the sunrise…etc.,

We do respect the Shafi’ opinion on local sighting and we believe that ALLAH will reward immensely all the Hilal Committees for their good intentions and their dedication. May Allah bless everyone!

Al-Hamdulillah, we are all Muslim brothers and sisters and we do not want to see any ill feelings because of the difference of opinions. The Companions (Sahaba Kiraam) disagreed on a few issues but yet they loved one another and kept the spirit of the Ummah alive all times.

May Allah accept our deeds!

Eid Mubarak!

Was-Salaamu alaikum!