Fatwa #4374015 December 2019United States of America
Local Moonsighting
Question
In fatwa #15673, honored Mufti sb has said that “Following Saudi is a Munkar and an open wrong”, and in fatwa #40895 Mufti sb has acknowledged that the Saudi sighting was wrong, while in fatwa #42765 Mufti sb is suggesting to follow global moon sighting (Saudia). In fatwa #43072/43073 Mufti sb is saying that “There are Ulama-e-Haq on both sides. Our advice is you respect and tolerate the different opinions and avoid disputes”.
In my locality there are 2 mosques. One mosque follows Saudi sighting, despite that the fact that Saudi sightings are flawed. Majority of locality go to this mosque. The other second mosque follows the decision of Chicago hilal committee. Both mosques pray together if eid is on same day. Very few families and people pray at the second mosque if eid is on different day. As per fatwa #42765 is it okay for those few families to do eid with the first mosque in case of dispute on eid day or keep supporting the second mosque by praying eid with them on different day. Please advice, keeping in mind that these few families are isolated from rest of the community as they are fasting and rest of the comminity celebrating eid by eating and attending parties.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Brother,
Our disclaimer states: “many of these answers are unique to a particular scenario and cannot be taken as a basis to establish a ruling in another situation or another environment. The Shar'i ruling herein given is based specifically on the question posed and should be read in conjunction with the question.”
The principle position of the Darul Iftaa is that of local moonsighting. The ruling given in Fatwa #42765 was under specific dire circumstances and cannot be taken as a general ruling.
In the enquired situation, we advise you to follow the masjid practicing on local moonsighting.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Hammad Ibn Ismail Jogiat
Student Darul Iftaa
Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.