Sharia review of decision of non-government committees regarding Raut Hillal (Research review in light of Islamic teachings)

رؤیتِ ہلال کے متعلق غیر سرکاری کمیٹیوں کے فیصلے کا شرعی جائزہ (اسلامی تعلیمات کی روشنی میں تحقیقی جائزہ)

Abstract

Islam is religion of nature, therefore, lunar dates have been fixed for all the obligatory orders imposed in Islam associated with specific dates, because lunar calculation is easy and generally understood, and lunar dates belong to sighting the moon, that’s why the moon sighting is necessary, so that the correct implementation on the related orders may be possible. The Shariah has authorized the Qadhi (Judge) to decide the moon sighting and take eyewitnesses from the people, and Qadhi is the person who is nominated by the ruler. In the beloved country Pakistan, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee and its provincial sub-committees were established in 1972 C E. The basic tasks of these committees are sighting the crescent, taking witnesses from the general public and decision making after examining the testimony of witnesses.

This central committee is similar to the position of Qadhi in an Islamic State, and since its chairman has the authority to announce Ramadan and Eid for the whole country, therefore, it is obligatory for the whole country to follow this announcement and without any legitimate reason, disagreement with this decision is not permissible. But unfortunately, in some parts of the country, non-governmental committees are established, that make announcements of Ramadan and Eid crescent after taking testimony from the people, although in the perspective of Shariah, they neither have the right and authority, nor permissible for the people to follow their announcement. As well as acting upon their announcement is cause of anarchy, aggression and conflict among the people.

1. In the article under consideration, the various aspects of this vital issue have been reviewed in the light of Shariah. Research based discussion has been made regarding the terms and conditions for Ruet-e-Hilal, its curriculum and decision-making authority.