Dont Disregard This Beautiful Sunnah I remember when I was a kid, we would go up to the roof of our house on the 29th of Shabaan / Ramadhan and try to look for the new moon
of Ramadhaan/ Shawaal.. It brings backs fond memories to the mind and
I cant help but smile at the happiness and excitement that I felt as a
kid trying to sight the new moon, perching on tiptoes, competing with
my brother to spot it before he could! Ramadhaan…..Will we begin the fasting tomorrow ??? Or will it be the day after ??? Whether Eid will be next day or the day after. Sighting
the moon was such a sweet joyful experience and it was part of the
whole spirit of Ramadhaan. It only added to the whole beauty and
sanctity of the blessed month, and to our Ibaadah and submission to
Allaah. 
By Asma bint Shameem
I also remember the joy, simply at the anticipation of
And when we did actually see it, the delight….indescribable, the giggles…uncontrollable!
And
now, many years later, as another Ramadhaan approaches us, I look
forward to another chance to look for the moon, this time with my kids,
teaching them the importance of this Sunnah, sharing with them their
innocent joy and excitement….their delight at seeing the bright
crescent that brings glad tidings of a blessed month full of mercy and
barakah.
And why shouldnt it be so???
After all, to search for the new moon is an ACT OF IBAADAH and a means of EARNING REWARD from Allaah.
And it is the SUNNAH of our beloved Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam)
The Sunnah is seeing and not mere knowledge of moons existence above the horizon.
The month of Ramadan
does not begin with the birth of the moon. It does not even begin when
it becomes possible to sight the moon. The month of Ramadan, according
to the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam), begins with the
SIGHTING of the moon. This means a human EYE has to see the crescent of
Ramadan. And no one should dare to think that the Prophet (sallAllahu
alayhi wasallam) did not realize that the new crescent of Ramadan could
be behind the clouds.
There are many, many Ahaadeeth encouraging us to look( with our eyes) for the new moon.
The Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) said:
“Do not fast until you see the new moon, and do not stop fasting until
you see it, and if it is concealed by clouds them count out (the thirty
days of Shabaan ) for it.” (Bukhaari, Muslim).
Aaishah (radiy Allahu anha) said, “The Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) used to treat Shaaban as he treats no other month. He would then fast for sighting (the moon) of Ramadhan. Whenever he could not sight it, he would count thirty days (for Shaaban) and then start the fast.” [Abu Dawood].
Sighting the new moon of Ramaadhan is a Fardh Kifaayah
It
is obligatory to witness the new moon for establishing certain acts of
worship. If these acts are obligatory, such as fasting Ramadhan and Hajj,
then witnessing the new moon also becomes obligatory on at least a part
of the Muslim Ummah (Fardh Kifaayah). That is because, “what is
necessary to fulfill the requirements of an obligation is an obligation
itself.”
The Sunnah Dua upon seeing the new moon
The
Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) even taught us the dua to read
when we see the new moon. So make an effort to sight the Ramadan moon
with full attention and eagerness and say this prayer on sighting the
moon:
Allaahu Akbar, Allaahumma ahillahu alayna bil amni wal eemaani, wassalaamati wal-Islaami, wattawfeeqi limaa tuhibbu Rabbanaa wa tardhaa, Rabbunaa wa Rabbukallaahu .
“Allaah is the greatest. O Allaah, let the crescent loom above us in safety, faith, peace, and Islaam, and in agreement with all that You love and pleases You. Our Lord and your Lord is Allaah.”
A neglected Sunnah??
It
is a part of the beauty of Islam anticipating when fasting will start.
When will Eid be? This builds up the excitement and love of these
blessed times. And there is deepest wisdom in how Allah Subhaanahu wa
Taala ordained these issues. This was the way of the Prophet(sallAllahu
alayhi wasallam), the Sahaabah, and the Early generations, including
the Four Imams.
Yet,
it is sad to see many Muslims getting lost in the fast track world of
machines and calculations and neglecting this act of Sunnah, thus
losing out on the chance to earn reward from their Rabb for following
the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) and his guidance.
SO REVIVE THE SUNNAH!
So
work hard to revive the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi
wasallam) and dont belittle it. Practice it yourself, teach it to your
children and others. Reviving aspects of the Sunnah that are being
forgotten is one of the most important charitable deeds that a person
can do during his lifetime and is a deed that will bring an immense
reward
"Whoever
revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is forgotten after my death, he
will have a reward equivalent to that of the people who follow him,
without it detracting in the least from their reward." (Tirmidhi)
He (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) also said: Pay attention to my Sunnah and the way of the Rightly-guided Khaleefahs after me, adhere to it and hold fast to it.(Saheeh Abi Dawud)
For our complete guidance, it is a must for us to learn and follow the Sunnah. If possible, let us invite others to learn and follow the same. We must know that our Creator sent His Messenger (pbuh) with Guidance and the Religion of Truth to make it prevail over all religions and that He promises great rewards for those who support the Truth.
“And
he who brings the Truth and he who confirms (and supports) it -- such
are the men who do right. They shall have all that they wish for, with
their Rabb. Such is the reward of those who do good: so that Allah will
remit from them (even) the worst in their deeds and give them their
reward according to the best of what they have done.” (Qur’an 39:33-35)
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