Every year, as the month of Ramadan approaches, the proponents of visual observation and astronomical calculations raise a debate about what date Ramadan begins. What arguments do the parties give to argue their case?

The Quran says:

“In the month of Ramadan, the Qur'an was sent down - the right guidance for the people, clear evidence of the right guidance and discernment. Those of you whom this month finds must fast. And if someone is sick or on a journey, then let him fast the same number of days at another time. Allah desires ease for you and He does not desire hardship for you. He wants you to complete a certain number of days and praise Allah for having guided you to a straight path. Perhaps you will be grateful” (Quran, 2:185).

Historical facts testify that in the distant past, Muslims often began and ended fasting in different days. The dates of the celebration of two great holidays also moved: Eid al-Fitr (Uraza Bayram) and Eid al-Adha (Kurban Bayram).

In the modern world, in the presence of all kinds of means of communication, mankind has been able to come to a common opinion about what date Ramadan begins, but this does not happen. Neither satellite television, nor the Internet, nor telephone communications will be able to unite states separated by political borders and the borders of religious movements and madhhabs.

When does Ramadan start? New moon - the beginning of a new month

According to the Muslim calendar, a new month begins with a new moon. Many Sharia norms are associated with the beginning of a new month. In his work "The Purposes of Shariah" Sheikh Yusuf al Qardawi suggests relying on visual observation of the moon as a way of ascertaining the beginning of the month. He also quotes an authentic hadith:

“... Do not start fasting until you see it (the young month), but if it is cloudy, then bring the count (add the number of days of Shaaban) to thirty” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim). In another version of the hadith it is said: "... And if the sky is hidden from you behind the clouds, then complete the thirty days (sha'ban)" (Al-Bukhari, Muslim).

In Arabic, the new moon is hilal. Interpretation of the word - " the moon reflects light, it is not dark, it "shines"". The glow makes it visible to humans. The new Muslim month cannot be started without seeing the new moon. Therefore, the beginning of the month of Ramadan should be based on direct observation of the sky and on the expectation of the appearance of the new moon.

New moon scientists

The new moon is the first appearance of the moon in the sky in the form of a narrow crescent after the astronomical new moon. And since the geographical latitude of the place of observation of the moon and the location of the moon in orbit change, the time interval between the astronomical new moon and neomenia, the first appearance of the narrow crescent of the moon, also changes.

To explain this phenomenon, let us add that at the new moon we see the part of the moon illuminated by the sun, that part which gradually increases until the full moon, and then decreases again.

With regard to the phenomenon of the new moon, Muslims need to understand whether astronomical calculations can be used to determine the beginning of the lunar month, since the task - when Ramadan begins - determines the dates of Uraza and holidays.

Classical schools of fiqh on the method of determining the beginning of Ramadan

The official theological position of the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi and Hanbali madhhabs is that astronomical calculations are an unreliable way to determine the beginning of the month. The start time of Ramadan must be confirmed in two ways: real observation and vision or counting up to 30 days.

The words " fa mann shahida minkumuash-shahra” (“that of you whom this month will find” or “which of you is at home this month”) is interpreted by most scholars as a requirement to literally see the new month.

This interpretation is confirmed by the instructions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):

“Start fasting when you see the new moon, and break your fast when you see it again. If it is hidden from you behind the clouds, then count thirty days of the month of Shaban ”(Bukhari).

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) also said:

“Fast when she (the moon) appears, and stop fasting when she (the moon) appears. If the sky is covered, then add the number of days ”(the months of Sha’ban up to 30 days) (Muslim).

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned the holy month of Ramadan and said:

“Do not fast until you see her (the moon) and do not stop fasting until you see her (the moon). And if the sky is covered with clouds or clouds, then complete 30 days (of the month of Sha'ban) ”(Bukhari, Ahmad).

Renowned Shafi'i jurist Shihab Ad-Din ibn Ahmad Ar-Ramli believed that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not rely on calculations and completely rejected them, saying that: Verily, we are an illiterate people and can neither write nor count, but the month (may) be like this and like that”- (meaning that sometimes it consists of twenty-nine, and sometimes - of thirty days) (Bukhari). Really, ordinary people, not living in big cities, it would be difficult to do the calculations. Only a few could understand such matters.

Another reason for the refusal of ancient scientists to engage in calculations of the beginning and end of the month of Ramadan was the connection of astrology (observation of the stars) with magic, which is forbidden by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

Al-Hafiz ibn Hajar(imam, author of 150 works on almost all Islamic sciences) strictly forbids the use of calculations, referring to the statements of the Prophet who warned Muslims against practicing astrology: “ Whoever studies astrology studies part of witchcraft, the more of it, the more witchcraft"(Abu Dawud). So, a Muslim who opposed these commandments of the Messenger of Allah, and began to fast on the basis of calculations alone, had to compensate for the days of fasting.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) wanted people to start the month of Ramadan, being sure that the new moon had already appeared in the sky, and end on the same condition. A real vision of the new moon was the only way for them to be completely sure when the month of Ramadan began.

Many jurists recognize that the vision itself is not the only condition for the onset of the month of Ramadan.

The famous classical scholar of the Hanafi madhhab Sa'ad al-Din Mas'ud bin Umar al-Taftazani argued that all Muslim scholars are unanimous in that the vision of the young moon is only one of the means, but not the goal.

“The meaning of the Qur’anic verse “he who of you becomes a witness of this month” means “he will find this month.” The testimony of the month is only a means. The same follows from the words of the Prophet fast when you see the new moon ". All Muslim scholars agree that the real vision is not an indicator, the indicator is what this vision proves, that is, the coming of a (new) month.

Modern Muslim Lawyer Dr. Mustafa al-Zarqa sure: “It is an established fact that seeing the young moon is not in itself an act of Islamic worship. This is just one of the means to know the time. It was the only way available to a people who could neither write nor count. His illiteracy was the only reason he relied on the naked eye. This is what is stated in the text of the hadith, which is the source of this ruling.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prescribed a real vision with the naked eye, since such a method was available to Muslims of that time to know what date the holy month of Ramadan comes and when it ends. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) also pointed out the reason for this need - the illiteracy of the Ummah in those days. The Muslims of the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) adopted the simplest method. Currently, another method of determining the time of the month of Ramadan has been adopted, and jurists consider it acceptable.

The Qur'an says: "Eat and drink until you can distinguish the white thread of dawn from the black, and then fast until night" (Quran, 2:187).

V modern conditions life, when technological progress accompanies us everywhere, it is quite difficult to literally follow these words. Instead of such landmarks, we use clocks. The time of Zuhr and Asr prayers was calculated by the Muslim Ummah using the shadow of a stick. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) recommended watching the shadow to determine the time of prayers. Now the astronomical clock tells us the time of prayers. Many tasks in the modern world are performed with the help of astronomical calculations, and the science of astronomy itself has become different, getting rid of condemned predictions and magic. One can only be glad that the spirit of Islamic law is flexible in those matters that can be more easily resolved using the achievements of technological progress.

For example, a representative of the modern direction of the Muslim legal school Zian al-Din bin Ibrahim ibn Nujaim states: “Ibn al-Shihna says that the magician and astrologer mentioned in the hadeeth is the one who talks about spirits and claims to know the future. The words of this person cannot be trusted, and to agree with them means unbelief. But calculating the phases of the moon has nothing to do with this. It is based on precise calculations, not fortune-telling or things related to spiritual beings. Do you not see that Allah, praise be to Him, says in the Qur'an: He is the one who gave the sun its radiance and the moon its light and set its periods so that you can determine the number of years and the reckoning [of time]”».

Ramadan in 2016

This year, Uraza will begin on June 6, and the tarawih prayer of 20 rak'ahs will begin to be read in mosques in Russia on June 5. The last day of fasting falls on July 4th. And Eid al-Fitr falls on July 5, the holiday prayer on this day will take place at 7 o'clock in the morning. The dates became known at the meeting of the Ulema Council of the Spiritual Muslim Board of the Republic of Tatarstan, dedicated to the upcoming month of Ramadan.

According to islam.com.ua

Exist., Number of synonyms: 1 holiday (133) ASIS Synonym Dictionary. V.N. Trishin. 2013 ... Synonym dictionary

Eid al Fitr Arab. عيد الفطر‎‎‎… Wikipedia

Eid al Fitr Arab. عيد الفطر‎‎ Prayer of Muslims in the Crimean mosque Type Islamic otherwise Uraza Bayram is also the Feast of Conversation ... Wikipedia

M. One of the largest Muslim holidays, the feast of breaking the fast, the completion of fasting in the month of Ramadan, when believers sum up the past, perform a festive prayer, and after prayer they gather guests, give gifts, commemorate the dead. ... ... Modern explanatory dictionary of the Russian language Efremova

EID AL ADHA- (Turkish uraza post, bayram holiday) Muslim. holiday on the occasion of the end of the monthly fast of Uraza. It is celebrated on the 1st of Shawwal (the 10th month of Muslims). lunar calendar) and the following days. On the occasion of U. b. worship services are organized in mosques, read ... ... Atheistic Dictionary

Eid al Adha- (2 m), R. Uraza / bayra / ma (holiday) ... Spelling Dictionary of the Russian Language

- (Turkic) holiday of the end of the uraza. Arab Muslims have Eid al-Fitr (the holiday of breaking the fast), Turks have Kyuchuk Bayram (a small holiday). It starts on the evening of the 30th of Ramadan, when it is Muslim. calendar (Hijri) comes on the 1st day of the next month of Shawwal. ... ... Soviet historical encyclopedia

Eid al Adha- (Turk.), Eid al-Fitr (Arab.) a feast of breaking the fast in honor of the completion of the fast in the month of Ramadan, one of the two main Islamic holidays (second Eid al-Adha). It begins on the 1st of the month of Shawwal (the tenth month of the Muslim lunar ... ... Religions of the peoples of modern Russia

Congratulations to all Muslims on the great Holidays of Breaking the Fast Eid al-Fitr Eid al-Fitr!

For a whole month, Muslims sincerely observed the fast: from dawn to sunset they did not eat and drink, abstained from marital duties; profanity and perniciousness. At night, they performed additional tarawih prayers, read the Holy Quran, preached morality and culture, especially celebrated the night of nights - laylat-ul-qadr - the Night of Predestination. The blessed month of Ramadan ends with the Feast of Breaking the Fast Eid-ul-Fitr. In all the mosques of the region in the morning hours of September 9, 2010, Muslims performed a festive service. It is especially pleasing that another Muslim community has appeared in the region.

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh! Praise be to Allah! We give Him praise, ask Him for help and forgiveness, and pray to Him to guide us on the straight path. We resort to the protection of Allah from every evil of bad deeds. I testify that there is no god but Allah, who has no partner, and I testify that Muhammad is His slave and His messenger, may Allah bless and greet him, his family and his companions.

Dear brothers and sisters!

On behalf of the Council of Muftis of Russia, the Centralized Religious Organization of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the European Part of Russia, I cordially congratulate you on the holiday of the end of the fast of the Holy month of Ramadan and the onset of Eid al-Fitr Uraza Bayram, which falls on Shawwal 1, 1431 AH. \ September 9, 2010.

For a whole month, all believers, in the daytime, refrained from taking food, water, but most importantly, sincerely wanting to achieve the mercy of the Almighty from everything vicious and sinful, they observed fasting. Understanding the meaning of Ramadan, they responsibly treated the spiritual content of the fast - to the best of their ability, they worshiped the Almighty, carried out His commands, turned to Him with repentance for their sins, performed the Taraweeh prayer, offered prayers, read and comprehended the Holy Quran, cultivated kindness and compassion in themselves, tried to show mercy and help to those in need, strengthened the bonds of brotherhood.

The holy month of Ramadan has ended, but the good deeds that we did throughout the month should not stop throughout our lives.

I pray to Allah Almighty to accept our Fasting, nightly taraweeh prayers, all pious deeds, forgive previous mistakes and sins, reward with His great mercy - protection from Hell and the goodness of Paradise.

Peace be upon you, the mercy of Allah and His blessing!

Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin

Chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia,
Chairman of the Spiritual Board of Muslims of the European part of Russia.

(Arabic: Eid al-Fitr) - the feast of breaking the fast, marks the end of fasting in the month of Ramadan. It is called a small holiday as opposed to big holiday- Feast of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha).

The holiday falls at the beginning of the month following Ramadan, i.e., the 1st of Shawwal (the 10th month of the Muslim lunar calendar), and lasts 3 days. In 2010, the first day of the holiday falls on September 9th.

Uraza Bayram is one of the most significant religious holidays for every Muslim. It is directly related to the ideas of spiritual improvement and good deeds. This holiday is celebrated good deeds showing concern for others and compassion for those in need.

Four days before the holiday, they begin a thorough cleaning of the house, court premises, barns, and clean the cattle. After cleaning is over, all family members are required to bathe, put on clean linen and clean themselves up. In the evening, the hostesses prepare traditional dishes. oriental cuisine. Children carry them to their relatives, there is a mutual exchange of treats. This custom is called "so that the house has the smell of food."

Before the holiday, people try to buy food and gifts, decorate and renovate their homes. New curtains, furniture covers, festive clothes are bought. Alms money is also collected in advance, so that the poor, having received this money, could also prepare for the celebration.

Before the holiday, it is necessary to forgive each other insults, try to visit your relatives and friends, asking for forgiveness from them.

On the day of the holiday, it is considered good to get up early, take a bath, dress neatly and smartly, use incense, and be friendly with everyone. On this day, Muslims greet each other with such words: "May Allah send His mercy to you and us!", "May Allah accept our and your prayers!". It is advisable to eat some dates or something sweet on the day of the holiday before reading the holiday prayer.

On the first day of the holiday, common prayers are performed in the mosque or at special sites - prayers. In a khutba read by a mullah or an imam during a common worship service, believers are announced about the "reality" of fasting, and they are instructed to observe it in the future. But before that, every Muslim is ordered to pay a special alms Sadaqat-ul-Fitr. This is the final stage for the acceptance of a perfect fast by the Almighty. It is obligatory for every Muslim who has property in excess of their basic needs. Muslim tradition says that the Prophet himself bequeathed to distribute alms, saying: "The fast of Ramadan hangs between heaven and earth until the servant of God gives the alms that follow from him." The head of the family pays this alms for himself, his wife, children and even servants, if any. Cash payments to those in need are also allowed. Alms are given to the poor either directly or through Islamic charities. After the payment of alms and joint prayer - mutual congratulations and wishes for a happy celebration.

At noon, the main plentiful meal begins. Festive table in Uraza Bayram it mainly consists of sweet dishes, fruits, all kinds of jams. On this day, it is customary to eat tasty and a lot. Then, according to legend, the home table will be rich next year.

After the solemn service, believers go to the cemetery to commemorate the dead, and also visit the tombs of local saints, then the men, having gathered in a group, visit the homes of all the recently deceased and express their condolences to the relatives of the deceased. And the families of those who died Last year arrange a commemoration with the invitation of the mullah, relatives and friends.

Fairs are held on the days of breaking the fast, where folk singers, dancers, puppeteers, jugglers show colorful performances. There is a lively trade in the bazaars, swings are arranged for young people and children. Often the festivities take place near the water. According to tradition, Muslims gather to slaughter geese fattened for the winter near the water. On a holiday, everyone is supposed to help someone in need with something, therefore, during the slaughter of domestic animals, their owners often generously distribute pieces of meat. And all this time music is playing, people are laughing, singing and dancing until late at night.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from open sources