The Difference Between the Prepared Schedule and Reality
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The seventh question of Fatwa No. ( 18457 )
Q 7: We have schedules for prayer times in ( Stockholm ), and these schedules include the times of sunrise and sunset. However, when observing with the naked eye at sunrise and sunset, we see a slight difference from the time listed in the schedule. We contacted the observatory center in the city of ( Stockholm ) to inquire about how they calculate the time of sunrise and sunset. This employee stated that no Islamic body in the country has ever contacted them, and they were not informed of the Muslims' need to know the time of sunrise and sunset to utilize it in legal matters concerning prayer times. The times of sunrise and sunset in the Swedish calendar are for other purposes; they do not calculate the time based on the appearance of the edge of the sun, but rather based on the appearance of the center of the sun. Likewise, at sunset, they do not calculate it based on the setting of the last edge of the sun, but on the setting of the center of the sun. One of the conditions for the validity of prayer is the entry of the time
[An-Nisa 4:103] And Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, says to His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), commanding him to establish the prescribed prayers at their times: [Al-Isra 17:78] This is regarding the sun. As for the crescent moon, according to the employee, they determine the date of its appearance through calculations on the computer. They have not attempted to observe the sighting of the crescent moon for a long time, and no Muslim official has ever come to observe the sighting of the crescent moon on any day, neither at the beginning of Ramadan nor in any other month. The Beloved Chosen One (peace and blessings be upon him) says: Sahih Muslim 1081b , narrated by al-Bukhari . In the field of using calculations and observatories, the scholars agreed on the permissibility of using observatories to see the crescent moon, but they differed on establishing the crescent moon through calculation (without sighting ). Some hold that establishing the crescent moon by calculation is not permissible, and that relying on the stars is not valid, because the science of stars is guesswork and estimation. While others say: The intended meaning of sighting is certainty of the birth of the crescent moon, and modern calculation leads to certainty more than sighting. Which means do you prefer in Saudi Arabia ?
A 7: It is not permissible for you to rely on the sighting or timing of the disbeliever's country, neither in your prayer nor your fasting, for the disbeliever's report is not accepted in this matter. Moreover, you mentioned that they have a convention regarding the intended meaning of sunrise and sunset, and regarding the sighting of the crescent moon, that differs from what the Shari'ah brought. This alone is sufficient to disregard their statement. It is obligatory for you to know the times of the five prayers and the sighting of the crescent moon by yourselves, or through the Muslims among you, and this is an easy matter, and there is no hardship in it, praise be to Allah. As for calculation, it is not relied upon for the entry of the month of Ramadan or its exit; due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sunan an-Nasa'i 2124Sahih (Darussalam) , and there are many authentic hadiths in this meaning. And the Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) reported the consensus of the people of knowledge on this. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and his companions.
Q 7: We have schedules for prayer times in ( Stockholm ), and these schedules include the times of sunrise and sunset. However, when observing with the naked eye at sunrise and sunset, we see a slight difference from the time listed in the schedule. We contacted the observatory center in the city of ( Stockholm ) to inquire about how they calculate the time of sunrise and sunset. This employee stated that no Islamic body in the country has ever contacted them, and they were not informed of the Muslims' need to know the time of sunrise and sunset to utilize it in legal matters concerning prayer times. The times of sunrise and sunset in the Swedish calendar are for other purposes; they do not calculate the time based on the appearance of the edge of the sun, but rather based on the appearance of the center of the sun. Likewise, at sunset, they do not calculate it based on the setting of the last edge of the sun, but on the setting of the center of the sun. One of the conditions for the validity of prayer is the entry of the time
Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.
إِنَّ الصَّلاَةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَوْقُوتًاEstablish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur'an of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed.
أَقِمِ الصَّلاَةَ لِدُلُوكِ الشَّمْسِ إِلَى غَسَقِ اللَّيْلِ وَقُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ إِنَّ قُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًاObserve fast on sighting it (the new moon) and break (fast) on sighting it (the new moon)
صوموا لرؤيته وأفطروا لرؤيتهA 7: It is not permissible for you to rely on the sighting or timing of the disbeliever's country, neither in your prayer nor your fasting, for the disbeliever's report is not accepted in this matter. Moreover, you mentioned that they have a convention regarding the intended meaning of sunrise and sunset, and regarding the sighting of the crescent moon, that differs from what the Shari'ah brought. This alone is sufficient to disregard their statement. It is obligatory for you to know the times of the five prayers and the sighting of the crescent moon by yourselves, or through the Muslims among you, and this is an easy matter, and there is no hardship in it, praise be to Allah. As for calculation, it is not relied upon for the entry of the month of Ramadan or its exit; due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
Fast when you see it and stop fasting when you see it, and if it is obscured from you (too cloudy), then complete thirty (days).
صوموا لرؤيته وأفطروا لرؤيته، فإن غم عليكم فأكملوا العدة ثلاثين
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.