The Moons: Times and Deadlines for Acts of Worship and Transactions

Question:
In the noble verse: (They ask you about the new moons. Say, “They are times for people and for Hajj”), what are these times?

Answer:
Answer: The times for transactions, deadlines, and deferred debts, and the times for acts of worship, such as the times for prayer. When the sun passes the zenith, the midday prayer becomes obligatory. When the shadow of an object becomes equal to its length, the time for the afternoon prayer has entered. When the sun sets, the sunset prayer becomes obligatory. When the twilight disappears, the night prayer becomes obligatory. When the dawn appears, the dawn prayer becomes obligatory. And so on. Allah made them times for acts of worship, just as they are times for transactions. These are the moons. They asked the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), saying: “What is the matter with the crescent moon appearing small, then growing larger, then becoming small again?” Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) answered them with something other than what they asked about. He answered them with the benefits of the moons. It would have been fitting for them to ask about the benefits of the moons, and not to ask about the reality of the moons. Allah guided them to ask about what benefits them and what they have a need for, and not to ask about something they have no need for and which is not among their concerns. They call this the style of the Wise One: to answer the questioner with what he needs, and not to answer what he asked about if there is no benefit in it.