Is it from the knowledge of the unseen if someone claims that the moon will be eclipsed on such a day at such an hour, and what is the ruling on those who believe them?
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The questioner : The questioner asks, O honorable Shaykh: If someone claims that the moon will be eclipsed on such a day at such an hour, is this a claim to the knowledge of the unseen? And what is the ruling on those who believe him?
The Shaykh : Yes, if the astronomers say that the moon will be eclipsed on such a night, or the sun, and they specify it to the minute, then this is not from the knowledge of the unseen. Rather, this is what the people of calculation can perceive through their calculations. For this reason, they rule on its beginning, end, and manner. They say the eclipse is partial or total at such an hour, at such a minute, on such a night, in such a month. This is not from the knowledge of the unseen, but rather it is what is perceived through calculation. Many scholars have explicitly stated this, including Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him).
The questioner : The questioner says, "Your Eminence, the Shaykh."
The Shaykh : As for the questioner's statement, "So do we believe them?" Yes, we believe them if we know their expertise and understanding in this calculation. As for merely any person saying that the eclipse will occur on such a day, or the lunar eclipse on such a night, we do not believe him. Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, if the astronomers say that the moon will be eclipsed on such a night, or the sun, and they specify it to the minute, then this is not from the knowledge of the unseen. Rather, this is what the people of calculation can perceive through their calculations. For this reason, they rule on its beginning, end, and manner. They say the eclipse is partial or total at such an hour, at such a minute, on such a night, in such a month. This is not from the knowledge of the unseen, but rather it is what is perceived through calculation. Many scholars have explicitly stated this, including Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him).
The questioner : The questioner says, "Your Eminence, the Shaykh."
The Shaykh : As for the questioner's statement, "So do we believe them?" Yes, we believe them if we know their expertise and understanding in this calculation. As for merely any person saying that the eclipse will occur on such a day, or the lunar eclipse on such a night, we do not believe him. Yes.