Life and Teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
8. The Concept of Ijtihaad in Islam
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estimate can be made in advance as to the date and exact time that
the new moon will be sighted.
Now the situation is such that there is a pressing need for
Ijtihaad. In the case, Ijtihaad would rule that where tradition uses
the word ‘sighting’, the Mujtahid would say that according to the
change in circumstances, this tradition needs to be given a new
interpretation. And that is that the sighting of the moon by the
machines will be held to be as reliable as that of the human eye.
That is, if on the occasion of the beginning of the month the
horizon is not clear and the moon cannot be sighted by the human
eye, a mechanical observation will be relied upon. If the moon has
risen according to the mechanical observation the decision will be
taken that the month of Ramadan has started and the fasting will be
observed.
Let this point be made clear here that, according to modern
research the new moon appears on the 29th of every month.
However, the moon can be sighted only when it is 8 degrees above
the horizon.
In ancient times man had no knowledge of this reality. That is
why in those days sighting by the human eye was the only
dependable source. Now that by means of calculation or the
“mechanical eye” the movement of the moon can be ascertained
with precision, it will certainly be a proper use of Ijtihaad to
establish that the sighting of the moon by the mechanical eye is as
dependable a source as that of the human eye.
