An Islamic Legal Analysis Of The Astronomical Determination of the Begining Of Ramadan
Assalaamu'alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakaatu,
May the peace of Allah and His blessings be upon you.
Attached is a research paper authored by Shaikh Mokhtar Maghraoui on the permissibility of using astronomical calculation to determine the month of Ramadan. Attached, as well, is a summary of the main arguments in the research paper.
The recent 2006 decision by the Fiqh Council of North America on this matter has raised many concerns. The paper addresses those concerns. Shaikh Mokhtar was part of the Fiqh Council for about 5 years. He left last year.
Shaikh Mokhtar, as you might know, is a much respected and loved scholar in North America. He is thoroughly versed in the Islamic sciences. And his doctorate joined between the fields of physics and engineering.
This paper is an important contribution to the issue of astronomical calculation and moonsighting . The analysis is scholarly, balanced and compelling – and is offered with the hope of furthering a healthy and constructive discussion of this issue.
Please take the time to read it and send it to others. For future reference, inshaa'Allaah it will be available at www.zawiyah.net shortly. Please, also, remember Shaykh Mokhtar and his family in your du'aa.
Your brother,
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