What is the ruling on using astronomical calculations in acts of worship?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
He asks: What is the difference between using astronomical calculations to determine the times of prayer and not using them for fasting? Because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said to us:Muwatta Malik 18:1 So we do not contradict the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and we use the calculations. As for the timing of prayer, this is seen and observed. You see the dawn when it appears.
Answer:
And you see the sun when it sets, you see the twilight when it disappears. These are observable matters that you proceed by, which are determined by calculation and known by calculation. As for fasting, it is specific. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Muwatta Malik 18:1 This means that we rely on the crescent moon only. This is the intended meaning.
He asks: What is the difference between using astronomical calculations to determine the times of prayer and not using them for fasting? Because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said to us:
Do not begin the fast until you see the new moon, and do not break the fast (at the end of Ramadan) until you see it
لا تصوموا حتى تروا الهلال ولا تفطروا حتى تروهAnswer:
And you see the sun when it sets, you see the twilight when it disappears. These are observable matters that you proceed by, which are determined by calculation and known by calculation. As for fasting, it is specific. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Do not begin the fast until you see the new moon, and do not break the fast (at the end of Ramadan) until you see it
لا تصوموا حتى تروا الهلال ولا تفطروا حتى تروه
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، ما مشروعية العمل بالحساب في العبادات؟ — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.