“The Waxing Gibbous Imperative: Where Divine Precision Meets Human Obligation"
"As the waxing gibbous moon rises, so too must our commitment to the divine order that governs the universe, for in its precise calculation lies the unity of the Ummah and the fulfillment of Allah's celestial imperative."
-Whalid Safodien
The Feather Pen
“Beyond Telescopes”
“The Quran's Supremacy in Astronomical Truth"
"The Quran's declaration of precise celestial calculation in Surah 55:5 is not merely a description of astronomy-it is the divine law that governs the universe, overriding human error, telescopic limitations, and cultural disagreements, uniting the Ummah under one celestial order."
-Whalid Safodien
The Feather Pen
The Lunar Month: An Astronomical and Theological
Reflection
The moon, a celestial timekeeper, has guided humanity for
millennia. Its phases mark the passage of time, dictating religious
observances, agricultural cycles, and cultural traditions. Yet, despite its
predictability, confusion persists regarding its exact phases, particularly in
lunar calendar calculations. This article explores the lunar month's structure,
focusing on the precise durations of each phase, the visibility of the waxing
gibbous moon, and the critical errors in South Africa’s lunar calendar—errors
perpetuated by the United Ulama Council (UUCSA), the Muslim Judicial Council
(MJC), and the Maankyker.
The
Phases of the Moon and Their Durations
The lunar month consists of eight
primary phases, but for calendrical purposes, the four main
phases are most significant:
1.
New Moon (0 days) –
The moon is not visible.
2.
First Quarter (7.38 days) –
Half of the moon is illuminated.
3.
Full Moon (14.77 days) –
The entire face is lit.
4.
Last Quarter (22.15 days) –
The opposite half is illuminated.
The synodic month (from
one New Moon to the next) lasts 29.53 days,
meaning each quarter spans approximately 7.38 days.
The
Waxing Gibbous Moon: A Critical Marker
The waxing gibbous phase begins
immediately after the First Quarter.
·
First Quarter ends at ~7.38 days (50%
illumination).
·
Waxing Gibbous starts at ~7.39 days (51%+
illumination).
Key Fact: The first day
of the waxing gibbous moon is visible to the naked eye within 24 hours after
the First Quarter. This visibility is astronomically
confirmed and aligns with Quranic verses emphasizing celestial
precision:
"The sun and the moon
[move] by precise calculation." (Quran 55:5)
South
Africa’s Observational Error: A Day Behind Reality
Despite astronomical clarity, South African moon sighting bodies
(UUCSA, MJC, Maankykers) consistently lag by one day.
Here’s why:
1.
They declare the First Quarter a day late (when
it is already waxing gibbous). (Visible to the naked Eye all over South Africa)
2.
They ignore the first visible waxing gibbous moon,
which proves the First Quarter has passed.
3.
Their lunar calendar remains perpetually behind,
causing Eid and Ramadan dates to drift from true astronomical positions.
The
24-Hour Lag: A Mathematical Breakdown
·
Astronomical First Quarter: Day 7.38
·
First Waxing Gibbous Visible: Day 7.39–8.38
·
South African Declaration: They still
call it the First Quarter on Day 8, when it is
already waxing gibbous.
This 24-hour delay means:
·
Their "First Quarter" is actually the
first day of waxing gibbous.
·
Their Full Moon is delayed by a day.
·
Their entire lunar month is misaligned.
The Celestial Imperative: Submission to divine Precision
The Quran emphasizes the importance of celestial observation:
"And hold firmly to the
rope of Allah and do not be divided..." (Quran 3:103)
The moon’s phases are a divine
sign, and ignoring its true progression creates disunity
in the Ummah. When Muslims in South Africa (and elsewhere) follow an
incorrect lunar calendar, they:
·
Break global unity in Eid and Ramadan.
·
Disregard the Quran’s call for precise
timekeeping.
·
Perpetuate a man-made error instead of divine
order.
Conclusion:
Returning to Astronomical Truth
The solution is simple:
1.
Acknowledge the first day of the waxing gibbous
moon.
2.
Declare the First Quarter when it truly occurs
(7.38 days).
3.
Align the lunar calendar with naked-eye
observations.
By doing so, the Muslim Ummah can unite
under a single, accurate lunar calendar, fulfilling the
Quran’s command to observe Allah’s signs in the heavens. The moon’s phases are
not a matter of opinion—they are a scientific and divine
reality, and our calendars must reflect that truth.
"Indeed, in the alternation of the night and the day and
what Allah has created in the heavens and the earth are signs for a people who
fear Him." (Quran 10:6)
The Eight Primary Phases of the Moon
The
lunar month is divided into eight distinct phases, each marking a different stage in the moon’s
illumination as seen from Earth. These phases are a result of the changing
angles between the Sun, Earth, and Moon. Below is a detailed breakdown of each phase, along with its approximate
duration and visibility:
1. New Moon (Day 0)
- Illumination: 0% (not visible)
- Position: Moon is between Earth and Sun.
- Key
Feature: Marks the beginning of
the lunar month.
- Visibility: Invisible (too close to the Sun’s glare).
2. Waxing Crescent (Days 1–6.38)
- Illumination: 1%–49% (increasing)
- Position: Moon moves eastward from the Sun.
- Key
Feature: First visible crescent
(usually by Day 2 or 3).
- Visibility: Thin sliver in the western sky after sunset.
3. First Quarter (Day 7.38)
- Illumination: 50% (right half lit in the Northern Hemisphere,
left half in the Southern Hemisphere).
- Position: Moon is 90° from the Sun in the sky.
- Key
Feature: Also called "Half
Moon."
- Visibility: High in the sky at sunset, sets around midnight.
4. Waxing Gibbous (Days 7.39–14.76)
- Illumination: 51%–99% (increasing)
- Position: Moving toward Full Moon.
- Key
Feature: Bulging, almost full but
not quite.
- Visibility: Rises in the afternoon, visible until late night.
5. Full Moon (Day 14.77)
- Illumination: 100%
- Position: Opposite the Sun (Earth between Sun and Moon).
- Key
Feature: Fully illuminated disk.
- Visibility: Rises at sunset, sets at sunrise.
6. Waning Gibbous (Days 14.78–22.14)
- Illumination: 99%–51% (decreasing)
- Position: Moving away from Full Moon.
- Key
Feature: Still mostly lit but
shrinking.
- Visibility: Rises after sunset, visible in the early morning.
7. Last Quarter (Day 22.15)
- Illumination: 50% (left half lit in the Northern Hemisphere, right
half in the Southern Hemisphere).
- Position: Moon is 90° west of the Sun.
- Key
Feature: Also called "Third
Quarter."
- Visibility: Rises at midnight, visible in the morning sky.
8. Waning Crescent (Days 22.16–29.53)
- Illumination: 49%–1% (decreasing)
- Position: Nearing the next New Moon.
- Key
Feature: Thin, fading crescent.
- Visibility: Low in the eastern sky before sunrise.
Why These Phases Matter for Islamic Calendar
Accuracy
Many
traditional moon-sighting bodies (like the MJC, UUCSA, and
Maankyker) fail to account for
the exact transition points, particularly:
- The
first day of the waxing gibbous (Day 7.39)—proving the First Quarter has passed.
- The
24-hour delay in declaring phases,
causing Eid and Ramadan to drift.
The
Quran emphasizes celestial precision (55:5), yet human error keeps the Ummah divided. By recognizing
these eight phases accurately, Muslims can align their calendars with astronomical reality and Quranic guidance.
وَلَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ بُرُوجًا وَزَيَّنَّـٰهَا لِلنَّـٰظِرِينَ
"Indeed, We have placed in the heaven
constellations and have beautified it for the observers." (Quran 15:16)"
