The Significance of Moon Sighting and Stargazing in Islam
The sighting of the moon is a longstanding tradition in Islam that has been practiced for over 1400 years, based on the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This practice of sacred timekeeping is considered a communal obligation, whereby if a group of the community fulfills it, the rest of the Muslim community is absolved. Nevertheless, the companions of the Prophet ﷺ and their students would strive to fulfill this Sunnah by sighting the crescent of the new moon (known as the Hilal) at the end of every month. The term "Hilal" comes from the Arabic word for "to announce loudly", as the person who sighted the moon would proclaim their sighting loudly and with excitement. On such occasions, the Prophet ﷺ made a special supplication.
اللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالأَمْنِ وَالإِيمَانِ ، والسَّلامَةِ والإِسْلامِ ، وَالتَّوْفِيقِ لِمَا تُحِبُّ وَتَرْضَى ، رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكَ اللهُ
translation: O Allah, let the crescent loom above us in peace and faith, safety and Islam, and in agreement with all that You love and pleases You. Our Lord and your Lord is Allah.
transliteration: allaahumma ahillahu ‛alaynaa bil-amni wal-eemaani, was-salaamati wal-islaami, wat-tawfeeqi limaa tuḥibbu watarḍaa, rabunaa wa rabbuk-allaah
Sources: At-Tirmidhi No# 3451; Sahi Ibn Hibban No# 888
The Arabs had various words for the moon, which is a sign of reverence for something in Arabic. For example, the word "Hilal" refers to the moon for the first three days of its birth, after which it is referred to as "Qamar". The word "Badr" is used to refer to the full moon. Even the nights surrounding the moon phases have distinct names, such as "Ayyamul Bidh", which refers to the white days when the moon is at its fullest. The moon was also used to affirm the prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ when it split into two. In a Hadith, the Prophet ﷺ likened our seeing Allah on the Day of Judgment to the seeing of the Qamar, as we would not be able to deny it. Furthermore, in another Hadith, the people of Jannah will enter Paradise with faces glowing like the moon.
Unfortunately, in today's world, we spend too much time looking down at our screens, which has disconnected us from the celestial night sky. Light pollution, distractions, and the quick dopamine hits of social media have made it difficult for us to appreciate the signs of Allah ﷻ. However, as Muslims, we are encouraged to observe the universe around us and study Allah's creation, as it helps us understand His might and power. The companions and students of the Companions were pioneers in astronomy and mathematics, and many of the greatest scholars of Islam were exceptional scientists in their respective fields.
Observing the night sky is an important practice for Muslims, as it helps us understand the order of the universe and brings that order into our dealings and interactions. By studying and observing the universe, we can see that we are part of a greater creation, and that the Creator has not made all this in vain. As Muslims, we are taught to observe and reflect on the creation of Allah ﷻ. Therefore, it is important to detox from technology and observe the night sky, as the Prophet ﷺ and his companions did.
At House of Quran, we aim to encourage students to learn and explore the universe through the lens of the Qur’an. We hope to have regular nights of stargazing and sky watching in the future, and to connect humans to the celestial through the Qur’an. If you would like to support this initiative, please reach out to us via the contact page. Jazāka -llāhu khayran.
