If those we trust testify that they saw the moon in the morning in the east during the time of prayer, and on the same day in the evening they saw it in the west
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The questioner : May Allah reward you: Those we trust testified.
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : Those we trust testified that they saw the moon in the morning in the east during the time of prayer, and on the same day, meaning in the evening, they saw it in the west, meaning that the month appeared on the very day they saw it. Does this not contradict the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Ya-Sin 36:40]?
The Shaykh : It appears that this does not contradict it. The meaning of[Ya-Sin 36:40] is that it is not possible for the sun to appear at night, and [Ya-Sin 36:40] means that it is not possible for the night to be in the day. The meaning of the verse is that Allah the Exalted has decreed the night and the day, so it is not possible for one to be in the time of the other. However, He (Exalted and Majestic is He), by His wisdom, causes the night to enter the day and the day to enter the night, but this is an entering like the way a thread is inserted into a needle, meaning that it is gradual. This is the meaning of the verse.
As for what you mentioned, Allah the Exalted says: So perhaps it overtakes the sun, meaning that it is seen to overtake it; it is seen at the beginning of the day and then seen at the end of the day. This does occur. The important thing is that they are trustworthy. Therefore, if it is seen in the morning of the twenty-ninth day, and trustworthy witnesses testify that they saw it on the night of the thirtieth after sunset, then the entry of the second month is ruled upon.
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : Those we trust testified that they saw the moon in the morning in the east during the time of prayer, and on the same day, meaning in the evening, they saw it in the west, meaning that the month appeared on the very day they saw it. Does this not contradict the saying of Allah the Exalted:
It is not allowable for the sun to reach the moon, nor does the night overtake the day
لا الشَّمْسُ يَنْبَغِي لَهَا أَنْ تُدْرِكَ الْقَمَرَ وَلا اللَّيْلُ سَابِقُ النَّهَارِThe Shaykh : It appears that this does not contradict it. The meaning of
It is not allowable for the sun to reach the moon
لا الشَّمْسُ يَنْبَغِي لَهَا أَنْ تُدْرِكَ الْقَمَرَnor does the night overtake the day
وَلا اللَّيْلُ سَابِقُ النَّهَارِAs for what you mentioned, Allah the Exalted says: