Islam And Technology: A Concord Or Contradiction? An Assessment Of Moon Sighting
Technological advancement is a testament to humanity’s striving to make life easier and the world more habitable. Consequently, any religion that does not consider the welfare and wellbeing of its adherents by forbidding things that would make their rituals more accessible and effective cannot be considered godly. Islam is a religion that derives its injunctions from the Qur’an and Hadith, and when not explicitly stated, it can source guidance from Ijmāʿ (consensus of scholars) and Qiyās (analogical deduction). The inclusion of these latter sources shows that Islam recognises the dynamism of human thought, ideas, and practices, which may not be explicitly explained in the two primary sources.
The acceptability of technological advancement has brought about differing views among Muslim scholars, with some being proponents and others opponents of the subject. A vivid example of this debate is the prophetic stipulation, found in numerous Hadith, that before the commencement of a new year’s fasting, the moon must be sighted. However, if the moon is not sighted, Shaʿbān, the month preceding Ramaḍān, should be completed as thirty days, and the following day should be counted as the first day of Ramaḍān. This is the focal point of the Hadith on this subject.
The sighting of the moon with the naked eye has been the traditional mode of confirming the commencement of Ramaḍān from time immemorial. Some companions even went to the tops of hills to sight the moon. However, the use of astronomical tools to observe the celestial body has been a bone of contention. Such tools include optical telescopes, first used by Galileo, and radio telescopes.
Opponents of technological usage claim that such tools can distract from the essence of moon sighting, which should be done directly. They believe that searching for the moon is an act of worship that requires direct human involvement in viewing the natural phenomenon, and that any aid can reduce its spiritual and traditional dimensions. They prefer a straightforward approach where the moon is searched for with the naked eye, without technological intervention. They also argue that technological tools can malfunction and provide incorrect information, resulting in doubt, which the Prophet warned against when he said, “Leave what gives you doubt for what gives you certainty.”
However, reference to Qur’an 2:185, “Allah desires ease for you and does not desire hardship for you,” depicts Allah’s magnanimity and His desire for ease for His creatures. From this verse, one can infer that since technology is meant to bring ease to human life, it can be utilised in all endeavours as long as it conforms with the dictates of Allah.
Consequently, the use of technological tools mentioned earlier is acceptable based on the simplicity they bring to moon sighting and their non-violation of Sharīʿah injunctions. Just as opponents argue that the moon must be seen with the naked eye, the use of these tools also conforms with this stipulation because they clarify objects that are difficult to see with the naked eye. These tools do not change the nature of moon sighting but only enhance vision. In this case, the telescope does not replace the human eye but enhances its ability to see. Despite this submission, it must be noted that any technology that overrides or relegates the prophetic stipulation of seeing the moon cannot be sustained. Knowledge of numerology or astrology that predicts the commencement of Ramaḍān while disregarding the prophetic command cannot be adopted, because it overrides rather than enhances the Prophet’s injunction.
Furthermore, a careful reading of the Hadith where the Prophet instructed that if the moon is not sighted, the preceding month should be completed as thirty days reveals that the Arabic word Ghumma means “not visible.” If something is not visible, it does not mean it is not present, but rather that the observer lacks the capacity to see it. Therefore, the Prophet opted for completing the preceding month as thirty days because they lacked the means to see the moon. In the present day, when we have the means to make what is Ghumma visible, why should these means not be utilised?
Factors that may make the moon not visible include clouds. When clouds are thick, visibility is reduced, and this is the perfect time to utilise the knowledge Allah has granted humanity. For better understanding, an astronomy instrument can be defined as equipment with the capacity to assist human eyesight in observing objects with minimal light contrast, such as the moon. This definition shows that such tools are not replacing the traditional method of moon sighting but enhancing it.
In conclusion, any religion that cannot meet the needs of its adherents, address their issues, and fit into their day-to-day activities and interaction with societal advancement is a fossil religion that cannot stand the test of time. Islam addresses past, present, and future issues, and can stand the test of time. Therefore, technological advancement cannot catch Islam off guard, as it conforms with the dictates of the Qur’an and Hadith. The use of telescopes is acceptable, and if such tools were available in the Prophet’s time, he would have used them, since it is recorded that whenever the Prophet had two options, he chose the easier one. What is the burden of going to the desert or climbing a hill when there is an easier way to achieve the same objective?