Caesarean Moon Births : Calculations, Moon Sighting, and the Prophetic Way (Hamza Yusuf)

ISBN: 9780985565954
Author: Hamza Yusuf
Publisher: Sandala (2017 Fourth Printing)
Pages: 63 Binding: Paperback

Description from the publisher:

The sacred practice of moon sighting is one that is deeply rooted in the Islamic tradition. In this scholarly essay, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf skillfully explains the importance of this timeless Prophetic practice and how its abandonment has led to much of the confusion and discord we face today in establishing the lunar calendar. This is essential reading for those who seek clarity on this important matter.

Prior to the advent of electricity; every night held the possibility of a celestial light show. People in even the most urban environments were exposed to the awe and majesty of the heavens; which clearly 'proclaim the glory of God.' The contemplation of the celestial orbs and their movements provided early man with the most direct connection to his Lord. In the Qur'anic story of Abraham, it is his observance of heavenly phenomenon that leads him to his certainty of God's unity and transcendence. Since the time of the Seljuq Turks, the crescent moon has been a sign of Islam.

Discusses:

• The Problem
• The Qur'an and the Moon
• Calendars in Pre-Islamic Arabia
• The Jewish Calendar
• Calenders after the Advent of Islam
• The Meaning of "Crescent" in Arabic
• The Islamic Ruling on Circulation
• Sighting the Crescent Moon
• Early Muslims and Moon Sighting
• Scholars Who Permitted Calculation
• The Five Schools on Moon Sighting
• Magnified Crescents and Confusion : Signs of the Last Day