Moonsighting Information

Updated September 8, 2024 @ 7:10am

As per the Majlis' moon sighting committee, sunset Wednesday September 4, 2024 and the daylight hours of Thursday, September 5th marks the first day of the lunar month of Rabi Al-Awwal 1446. The previous month of Safar consisted of 30 days.

​

​

The Majlis has observed the prophetic practice of naked-eye moon sighting for over 25 years, as it is considered a fard kifaayah (communal obligation). To state it more clearly, we, along with other credible individual Muslims and groups, monitor the moon on a monthly basis, specifically its beginning and its end. The Islamic lunar calendar consists of twelve (12) months: 

 

1. Muharram

2. Safar

3. Rabi Al-Awwal

4. Rabi Ath-thaani

5. Jumaada Al-Ulaa (or Jumaada al awwal)

6. Jumaada Al-Ukhraa (or Jumaada al thaani)

7. Rajab

8. Sha’baan

9. Ramadaan

10. Shawwaal

11. Dhul Qi’dah (or qa’dah)

12.  Dhul Hijjah

 

What shouldn’t be lost within the debates concerning moon sighting is that naked-eye sightings are a part of our collective duty to keep track of time. And that time has a direct impact on when we fast, observe ‘iddah (e.g., for a widow), pay zakat, and more.

​

Within the 48 contiguous United States there are four time zones: Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific. Each is progressively 1 hour behind the Eastern time zone. Therefore, if it is 2pm eastern time in Philadelphia, PA, it is 1pm, 12pm, and 11am respectively, for each of the remaining zones. The Majlis focuses its attention on two time zones when determining the beginning and ending of each month: eastern and central. Which includes cities and states such as: New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, Houston, and Chicago. However, these time zones (eastern & central) also include places outside of the U.S. that at times are used to determine a new month.

 

For further information about moon sighting and its particulars, please read the attached file and/or contact the following:​​​