Resolutions-of-Islamic-Fiqh-Council-1

Muslim scholars in all schools of thought had the followingviews: The difference in places of moonrise is considered bymany scholars. Ibn Abdul Barr has said that there is consensusamong Muslim scholars that no unified crescent-sighting wouldbe taken for consideration for the far-flung areas such asKhorasan, a region that is far away from Andalus (Spain) andeach region would have its own ruling. The jurisprudence booksin the various schools of thought are full of arguments in favourof difference in places of moonrise. These books can beconsulted for more information.As regards the rational perception, there is no disagreementamong Muslim scholars on the difference in places of moonrise,because it is a thing, which anybody can see. Hence, the religionand reason agree on it. Likewise, the religion and reason agree onmany rulings, which include the prayer-timings. We know thatthe difference in places of moonrise is very natural thing.In light of the above-mentioned facts, the Islamic FiqhCouncil adopted the following resolution:There is no need to call for the unification of the crescentsightingand religious feasts in the Muslim world, because suchunification is not going to ensure their unity, as suggested bymany of those who insist on such unification.The Islamic Fiqh Council thinks that the issue of crescentsightingshould be left to the Ifta and judicial bodies in theMuslim countries, because it is better and more appropriate inview of the Muslims’ general interest.The Islamic Fiqh Council emphasizes that the thing, whichensures the unity and solidarity of the Muslim Ummah is in facttheir agreement to comply with the Qur’an and Sunnah in allareas of the human life.109