The Holy Quraan states: ‘They (the people) ask you (O Muhammad) about the new moons. Say (to them), They are indicative of time for the people, and of the Hajj (Pilgrimage)’. (Chapter 2 Verse 189).

This Verse of the Holy Quraan explains that the moon is the medium through which months and days are counted. It is indicative of ‘time’ with which many acts of worship in Islam are connected. Different phases of the moon tell different times and the new moon indicates the beginning of a new month. It is with respect to this the Holy Quraan states:

‘And He (your Lord) has measured it (the moon) by stations (phases), that you might know the number of years and the calculation (of time)’. (Chapter 10 Verse 5).

Although other verses of the Holy Quraan show that years and months can be counted through the medium of the Sun (i.e. through the solar Calendar), yet the Holy Book itself and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be peace) establish that the lunar Calendar is a fixed choice in the Shariah of Islam. This is so especially concerning prescribed acts of worship which relate to a particular month and its dates, for instance, the months of Ramadhan and Hajj, as well as injunctions relating to the days of Hajj, Qurbani, Muharram and Lailatul Qadr etc. which are all connected to the sighting of the new moon as mentioned in Chap 2 Verse 189 of the Holy Quraan.

The Sacred Shariah of Islam has opted for the lunar Calendar because it is based on something which every sightseer can observe on the horizon and be informed accordingly as the knowledge of it is equally easy for the scholars, the non-scholars, the villagers, the city dwellers, the islanders, the dwellers of the deserts and the dwellers of the mountains. This stands in contrast to the solar calendar which depends on meteorological equipment and mathematical computations which cannot become the common personal experience of everyone so easily.

Thus according to the law of Islam, sighting of the new moon is a pre requisite for the beginning of a new month in the Islamic Calendar.


Moon Sighting in Trinidad and Tobago

Over the years Muslims have always looked for the new moon in our island for the month of Ramadhan to commence fasting and that of Shawwaal, the month to celebrate Eid-uI-Fitr. Some have also resorted for information regarding the sighting from outside the country within the Caribbean while a few others would have referred to far off countries.

In almost all the above cases, while the information regarding the sighting of the new moon was eventually attained, it was not void of difficulties. Some of them related to inter communications, others were connected to the reports being authentic or valid and some were associated with the absence of the proper Shariah’s rulings and guidelines in accepting information especially when only one or two persons may have sighted the moon and also when information is related through telecommunication systems, locally, regionally and internationally.

In an effort to climate these problems, the Darul Uloom Trinidad and Tobago has embarked on the task of establishing a competent, sound and stable system of reporting, relating to the acceptance and pronouncements of the sightings of the new moon in Trinidad and Tobago.

So far, the Darul Uloom has already instituted a formal moon committee, which has been reporting and relating all the sightings of the new moon for the past one and a half years on a monthly basis, throughout Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean. Under this central moon Committee many sub-committees were formed through the length and breath of Trinidad and Tobago to work under the Darul Uloom moon committee.

These Sub Committees are given specific Shariah guidelines regarding the moon sighting and will continuously liase with the Darul Uloom moon committee regarding their findings.

In addition, the Darul Uloom has also established a communication system and a link with established and recognized moon committees of other Caribbean Islands regarding the sightings of the new moon.

This was initiated due to closeness of these Islands to Trinidad as well as the fact that they all share the same time-zones. This, therefore, brings about the system of a ‘Regional Sighting’. This method should be accepted since it is more conforming to the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be peace) and it also conforms to the practice adopted by the pious predecessors of Islam.

Note - Regional Sighting was a method which was adopted in Trinidad and Tobago in the past, however due to communication problems as well as the absence of a proper Shar‘i’ system it discontinued. At present, the Darul Uloom has re-established this ‘Regional Connection’ and has officially appointed a moon committee which is guided by the dictates of the Sacred Shariah. A system of communication has also been fixed in other Caribbean islands with their moon comimttees.

As such, a proper system of local and regional sighting, conforming to the sacred teachings of the Shariah, has now been established by the Darul Uloom Trinidad and Tobago. Muslims are advised and encouraged to communicate with the institute regarding moon sightings, especially for Ramadhan and Eid. We assure you that our answers conform to sound Islamic rulings.

Prepared by Darul Uloom Trinidad and Tobago.