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Constellations Thesis Book by Nesrin Zidan

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Researching the lunar crescent visibility

criterion is a widespread practice

among Muslims because the new Islamic

Month requires a sighting of the new

moon after the sun sets on the 29th of Hijri

Month. Should a new moon be sighted

after sunset of the 29th Hijri month, the

next day would be announced as a new

Hijri month. If the new moon is not sighted,

then the current Hijri month would

be deemed complete on the 30th day, and

then a new Hijri month begins the day

after. This practice is inspired by the Babylonians,

who maintained 29 and 30-day

months.

The difference is the need for accurate

data is even more crucial because

Muslims are required to perform their religious

dues following a sacred timeline.

This can be found in religious texts such

as Hadiths. For instance:

Don’t you start fasting until you

witness the Hilal, and don’t you

break your fast until you witness

the Hilal. In the event of clouds,

count it.

According to Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani, this

hadith states that the Lunar Crescent must

be viewed on the 29th day of the current

Hijri month to determine the beginning of

the following Hijri month; otherwise, the

current Hijri month continues until the

30th day.

Fig. 2.20. Al Biruni’s illustration of the

North, South, East, and West directions

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