Alhamdulilah. Indeed, all praise is due to Allaah. We praise Him and seek His help and forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allaah from our souls' evil and our wrong doings. He whom Allaah guides, no one can misguide; and he whom He misguides, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no (true) God except Allaah – alone without a partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His 'Abd (servant) and messenger
Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) related that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Fast when they fast, end the fast when they end theirs, and sacrifice the day that they sacrifice."[3]
Al-Bayhaqee relates by way of Aboo Haneefah, who said: 'Ali ibn al-Aqmar related to me, from Masruq, who said: I entered upon 'Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) on the day of 'Arafah, so she said: "Serve Masruq with some gruel, and make it more sweet." Masruq said: "Nothing prevented me from fasting this day except that I feared that it may be the day of Sacrifice." So 'Aa'ishah said to me: "The day of Sacrifice is when the people sacrifice, and the day of ending the fast is when the people end their fast."[4]
Understanding the hadeeth
Imaam at-Tirmithee says after quoting the hadeeth: "One of the people of knowledge has explained this hadith by saying: Its meaning is to fast and end the fast along with the Jama'ah and the majority of people."
As-San'ani said : "In this (hadeeth) is a proof that being in agreement with the people is accepted in establishing 'Eid, and that the individual person who believes that it is the day of 'Eid - because of the sighting of the moon - then it is obligatory upon him to be in agreement with the people, and that the ruling of the people - concerning the Prayer, breaking the fast, and sacrificing - is binding upon the individual."[5]
Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned this meaning and said: "It is said: In it a refutation of those who say that whosoever knows the positions of the moon due to astronomical calculations, then it is permissible for him to fast and end the fast, even if others do not know. It is also said: That the individual witness who sees the moon, but the qadi (judge) has not accepted his testimony, then there is no fasting for him, just as there is no fasting for the people."[6]
Abul-Hasan as-Sindi said, after mentioning the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah which was related by at-Tirmithee: "And its apparent meaning is: That there is no room for individual (opinions) to enter into these affairs, nor to act individually in this. Rather, this affair goes back to the Imaam (the Leader of the Muslims) and the Jama'ah (united body of Muslims under the Imaam). It is obligatory upon the individuals to follow the Imaam and the Jama'ah. From this is that is an individual sights the moon, but the qadi rejects his witness, then the individual has no right in these matters, but rather he must follow the Jama'ah in this."[7]
And this is the meaning which is evident from the hadeeth, and which is emphasised by the fact that 'Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) used it with Masruq when he prevented himself from fasting on the day of 'Arafah, fearing that it could be the day of Sacrifice. So she explained to him that there is no weight given to his individual opinion in this, and that he should follow the Jama'ah. So she said to him:"The day of Sacrifice is when the people sacrifice, and the day of ending the fast is when the people end their fast."
And this is what is befitting for the easy-natured and tolerant Shari'ah (Prescribed Islamic Law), one of the goals of which is uniting the people together, unifying their ranks and keeping away from them all that would split their comprehensive unity - from the individual opinions. So the Shari'ah does not give any weight to the individual opinion in matters concerning 'ibadah jama'iyyah (collective acts of worship), such as Fasting, 'Eid and Prayer in congregation - even if the opinion is correct, from one angle. Do you not see that the Sahabah (the Companions) – may Allaah be pleased with him – used to pray behind each other.
So from them were those who held the view that touching a woman, or the flowing of blood from the body invalidates the wudoo' (ablution), along with those who did not hold this view. From them were those who would complete the Prayer whilst travelling, whilst others shortened. Yet these, and other such differences, did not prevent them from collectively praying behind a single Imaam and deeming it acceptable.
And this is because they knew that tafarruq (splitting-up) in the Religion is more evil than having ikhtilaf (differences) in some opinions. Indeed, the matter with one of them reached the extent that he would not even deem acceptable any opinion which differed with the great Imaam in the major gatherings; such as the gathering at Mina (during Hajj), to the extent that he would totally abandon acting upon his opinion in that gathering - fleeing from that which could result from this evil, because of acting according to his own opinion.
Thus, Abu Daawood relates (1/307) that 'Uthman (may Allaah be pleased with him) prayed four rak'ahs at Mina, so 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) criticised him saying: "I prayed two rak'ahs with the Prophet (peace be upon him), and two rak'ahs with Aboo Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him), and two rak'ahs with 'Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him), and two rak'ahs with 'Uthman (may Allaah be pleased with him) in the beginning of his rule, then he completed it (i.e. by praying four rak'ahs). After that the ways became divided with you all. So I hope from these four rak'ahs, that two of them would be accepted." Then Ibn Mas'ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) prayed four rak'ahs. So it was said to him: "You criticised 'Uthman, yet you prayed four?" So he said: "Differing is evil."[8]
So those who continue splitting-up with regards to the Prayer, and who refuse to follow the local Imaams in some mosques - especially in the witr Prayer during Ramadaan - using as proof that this is against their madhhaab (school of thought), then they should reflect upon the above mentioned hadeeth and athar (narration).
Likewise, those who claim knowledge of astronomy and who, due to their opinion, fast and end their fast alone - preceding or lagging behind the majority of Muslims, not seeing any problem in doing so - should also reflect upon the previously quoted proofs. So all of them should consider, and reflect upon the knowledge that has been mentioned. Perhaps they will find for themselves a cure for their ignorance and self-delusion, so that they may then become a unified rank along with their Muslim brothers - for indeed the Hand of Allah is over the Jama'ah.
And It is Only Allaah Who grants success. May Allaah Exalt the mention of His slave and Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him), and render him, his household and companion safe from Evil.
[1] Taken from 'Al-Istiqaamah', Issue Number 5, Ramadaan 1417H / January 1997CE, http://www.sunnahonline.com/ilm/istiqaamah/jan1997_g.htm
[2]Silsilatul-Ahadithus-Saheehah (1/442-445), the hadeeth authentications have been abridged and edited
[3]Saheeh: Related by at-Tirmithee (2/37). Sheikh al-Albaanee authenticated it in as-Saheehah, Number 224
[4]This chain of narration is jayyid (good) due to what has preceded
[5]Sublus-Salam (2/72)
[6]Tahdhibus-Sunan (3/214)
[7]Hashiyah 'ala Ibn Majah
[8]Its chain of narration is Saheeh (authentic), and something similar to this is related in the Musnad (5/155) of Imaam Ahmad, from Aboo Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him)
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