Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr Date Determination in Indonesia: A Debate Between Methods

The determination of the start of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr (1 Shawwal) in Indonesia continues to be a subject of discussion, revolving around the differing approaches of rukyatul hilal (direct observation of the novel moon) and hisab (astronomical calculation). These differing methods often lead to variations in holiday dates across the archipelago.

Understanding the Two Methods

The debate centers on how to confirm the beginning of a new Islamic month. Rukyatul hilal involves physically sighting the new crescent moon, a practice rooted in the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad. Conversely, hisab utilizes astronomical calculations to predict the moment of the new moon’s birth and visibility.

Nahdlatul Ulama’s Perspective on Rukyat

According to KH Afifuddin Muhajir, Deputy Rais Aam of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board, the term rukyah as referenced in the Prophet’s hadith specifically refers to direct visual observation – rukyah bashariyah – with the human eye, not through scientific calculations. He explains that in Arabic grammar (nahwu), there are distinctions between rukyah bashariyah (visual sighting) and rukyah ilmiyah (scientific knowledge).

Kiai Afifuddin illustrates this with examples: seeing a person (ra’aitu in Zaida) is a rukyah bashariyah, while believing in God (ra’aitu To God able) is a rukyah ilmiyah. Interpreting rukyah in the hadith as a scientific process through calculation is considered inappropriate.

The Role of Hisab: A Supporting, Not Determining, Factor

While acknowledging the ongoing discussion, scholars have formulated a middle ground through the principle of al-math your document fi with us the fil itsbat. This principle dictates that astronomical calculations can serve as evidence to reject a sighting claim (i.e., to state it’s impossible for the crescent moon to be seen), but not to definitively determine the start of a month.

if calculations demonstrate that the new moon is not visible, this can be used as a basis to dismiss a sighting report. However, calculations alone cannot be used to declare the beginning of Ramadan or Eid al-Fitr. Direct observation remains the primary guideline.