Marife Turkish Journal of Religious Studies

Abstract

In accordance with the act of praying and some judgments of the actions
it is very important to define the beginning of the lunar months correctly in Muslim’s
daily life. Nevertheless one of the current problems of Muslim is their different
definition about the beginning of Ramadan. This differentiation was normal
and reasonable for the past periods. Today, however, with regard to astronomical
developments the declaration of the beginning of Ramadan within three or four
different days can not be justified and not be seen reasonable. By the time of the
holy Prophet the definition of the beginning of the lunar month was based on an
easy and understandable method for practicing of the people. This method based
on the observation of the new moon with eye in order to define the beginning of
the lunar month i. e. Ramadan and under the condition if the new moon is invisible
it must be completed thirty days. So this method of the definition had been
used for ages.
The calculation of the beginning of the lunar month is more reliable today
than the observation of the new moon with eye. Now it must be regarded that the
new moon can be specified by calculation.