British Moon Sighting Testimonies

[ColonelHardstone]

Question: Since Wifaqul Ulama places great emphasis on local (British) Moon Sighting, what is the system and mechanism in place to verify it?

 

 

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

 

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh

 

We would like to begin by extending our gratitude to you for asking this question. May Allah (SWT) give you the best of rewards (Ameen).

 

In a nutshell, this issue was discussed and redeliberated in great detail at the house of (Mufti) Yusuf Sacha (DB) on Saturday the 11

th

of March 2017. Shaykh (DB) explained that Shahadah (testimony) and Khabar (news) are two distinct entities in Islamic law and must be treated as such. There are rules and regulations pertaining to accepting Shahadah (testimony). The Shahadah (testimony) must be accepted in person by a designated person (appointed by a Moon Sighting Committee) and they must forward the accepted Shahadah (testimony) to the Moon Sighting Committee to deliberate and make a final decision. We understand that this list doesn’t cover the entire country (yet) but we hope to provide coverage throughout the country,

Insha'Allah

. In the meantime Muslims should contact their nearest

Wifaqul Ulama

representative for the time being. The issue of accepting Shahadah (testimony) through skype or video conferencing is still under deliberation and it is not an acceptable method at this time.

 

Read about the names of the Ulama and procedure here

[ummtaalib]

Assalaamu 'alaykum warahmatullah

Jazaakallahu khayran Brother CH but I have a query which I have heard some others mention as well

 

In the flow chart, along with Shahada UK there is Morocco and South Africa. What many do not understand is why consider khabar from Morocco and South Africa. If throughout UK the moon has not been sighted shouldn't the month just be declared as 30?