'EID-UL-ADHA

SATURDAY - SUNDAY OR MONDAY?

The vast majority of Muslims in Mauritius celebrated the Eid-ul-Adha festival on Monday, 25.07.88. However, some individuals chose to celebrate this festival on Sunday, 24.07.88. Additionally, a certain "committee" from Mahébourg published a pamphlet contesting the celebration of this festival on Monday, 25.07.88. The committee based its argument on a Hadith of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), mentioned in Bukhari and Muslim Sharif, which was translated as follows:

"The month is thus and thus, that is to say, once 29 days and once 30 days."

From this translation, the committee established its theory of 29-30-29-30. According to this theory, if a month has 29 days, the following month will automatically have 30 days, and the month after that, 29 days, and so on. Thus, the committee claimed that since the month of Ramadhan that year was 29 days, according to the theory in question, the month of Zul Qa'dah must also have had 29 days. It therefore argued that the moon of Zul Hijjah should have been visible at the latest on Thursday, 14.07.88, rather than on Friday, 15.07.88. Consequently, the committee asserted that the 10th of Zul Hijjah, i.e. Eid-ul-Adha, could not have been celebrated on Monday, 25.07.88.

Those who are familiar with the Arabic text of the Hadith know that the translation was poorly done. Indeed, the committee made a monumental mistake—misinterpreting the word "marratan" in the text of the Hadith. The word was wrongly attached to the "month," whereas it actually refers to the hand gestures of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam). Those with even a basic knowledge of Arab history know that the Arabs used their fingers to indicate numbers. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) first indicated the number 29 and then 30 with his fingers. The correct translation of the Hadith in question is:

"The month is thus and thus—one time he signifies 29 days, and another time 30 days." (Bukhari Vol. 3/137).

Thus, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) demonstrated with his fingers once the number 29 and another time the number 30. In reality, there is no 29-30-29-30 theory. If this theory were valid, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) would not have commanded his Ummah to look for the new moon to begin the fast of Ramadhan or to celebrate Eid. If the 29-30-29-30 pattern were fixed, one would only need to count the days in a month to determine the duration of the following months.

It is therefore clear that Islamic law prescribes only two ways to determine the end of a month or the beginning of a new one:

1. By the visibility of the new moon.
2. If the new moon is not visible, then by the completion of 30 days of the previous month.

No other method is recognised by Shari'ah to determine the beginning of a new month.

We all know that the moon of Zul Hijjah was not visible on Thursday, 14.07.88. Therefore, the preceding month, Zul Qa'dah, had 30 days. This means that the 10th of Zul Hijjah, i.e. Eid-ul-Adha, fell on Monday, 25.07.88—the date on which, in accordance with Islamic principles, the majority of Muslims celebrated this festival.

Those who chose to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha before Monday, 25.07.88, were, of course, mistaken. It is akin to performing Maghrib Salah before sunset, which, as we all know, is invalid. Consequently, the Eid Salah and Qurbani of these individuals, having been performed before the appropriate date and time, are also invalid.

We sent a letter to our brothers in Mahébourg to enlighten them and, more importantly, to dispel their concerns regarding the celebration of Eid on different days.

Indeed, Shari'ah has not imposed a universal obligation for all Muslims worldwide to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr or Eid-ul-Adha on the same day. The observance of these two festivals is linked to the visibility of the moon. If the moon is sighted on the 29th of the month in a particular country, then a new month begins for the Muslims of that country. However, Muslims in a country where the moon has not been sighted must complete 30 days. This is the principle in accordance with Shari'ah. A Hadith from Muslim Sharif confirms this:

It is narrated that Hadhrat Kuraib (Radiyallahu anhu) came to Hadhrat 'Abdullah bin Abbaas (Radiyallahu anhuma) and informed him that the Muslims of Syria, where Hadhrat Mu'awiyah (Radiyallahu anhu) resided, had seen the new moon on a Friday night. Hadhrat Kuraib (Radiyallahu anhu) himself had also seen it. However, Hadhrat 'Abdullah bin Abbaas (Radiyallahu anhuma) replied that they had seen the new moon on a Saturday, and therefore, they would continue fasting until completing 30 days unless the new moon was sighted on the 29th of Ramadhan. He further stated that this was how Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) had commanded them to act.

From this, we see that Hadhrat 'Abdullah bin Abbaas (Radiyallahu anhuma) was not at all concerned about celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr on a different day from Syria. This does not imply the existence of multiple Islamic calendars.

We also clarified another point for our brothers, again in the light of a Hadith from Muslim Sharif:

Once, a group of travellers returning from Umrah saw the new moon. Some among them claimed that it was a three-day-old moon, while others said it was two days old. When they reported this to Hadhrat 'Abdullah bin Abbaas (Radiyallahu anhuma), he replied that it was Allah Ta'ala who raised it in order for it to be visible.

This Hadith demonstrates that the size or height of the moon has no significance in determining the new month—contrary to the belief of the "committee," which stated in its pamphlet: "On Friday, 15.07.88, the moon was very high."This was another error on their part.

It is unfortunate that some people, despite their lack of knowledge and expertise, take it upon themselves to interpret Hadith. There is no doubt that they cause immense harm to the Muslim community. We all know that merely reading medical books does not make one a doctor. Likewise, simply reading books or translations of Hadith does not make one qualified to interpret them.

Muslims, do not be misled. When it comes to Deen and Imaan, more than anything else, you must take all necessary precautions to protect them. Instead of relying on misinformation, seek guidance from competent and knowledgeable authorities to resolve your religious matters.

May Allah Ta'ala grant us the correct understanding of His Deen and guide us to the Straight Path. (Ameen.)

[English version of "‎Eid-oul-Adhaa" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 9]