Leadnaija
The Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad Muhammad, may be losing grip on Muslims in the Southwest after the League of Imams and Alfas in the region, via the Office of the Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, announced March 1, 2025, as the First Day of Ramadan 1446 AH....TAP HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY..>>
In a communiqué, the League also used the opportunity to announce the possibility sighting of the crescent moon for the month of Ramadan in the year 1446 AH (2025 CE), in accordance with the resolutions of the first session of the Unified Hijri Calendar Committee held in Istanbul from 26-29 Dhul-Hijjah 1389 AH (November 27-30, 1978 CE).
They said it is also based on the confirmation by the International Fiqh Council in its Resolution No. (18) during its third conference in 1986, as well as the outcomes of the scientific symposium held in Paris on 12-13 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1433 AH (February 4-5, 2012 CE), which was titled “The Beginning of Hijrah Months and the Hijrah Calendar.”
The symposium was attended by eminent scholars and experts in jurisprudence and astronomy, and several jurisprudential and astronomical researches were presented.
The league said, “Additionally, this announcement is based on the outcomes of the International Conference on the Confirmation of Lunar Months, attended by scholars of Sharia and astronomical calculations, as well as the resolutions of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy affiliated with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) from 19-21 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1433 AH (February 11-13, 2012 CE), which was attended by a large number of jurists and Muslims astronomers.
Furthermore, it is based on the outcomes of the International Conference on the Unification of the Hijrah Calendar held in Istanbul from 21-23 Sha’ban 1437 AH (May 28-30, 2016 CE), which was attended by representatives from over ninety countries, including ministries of endowments, fatwa councils, scholars, jurists, and astronomers, as well as representatives from most Islamic jurisprudential councils worldwide.
“These conferences established a set of fundamental principles and standards, the most important of which are:
“The basis for the beginning of a month is its confirmation through definitive means.
“Scientific astronomical calculations inform us in advance and definitively about the possibility of sighting the crescent moon, and there can be no contradiction to its confirmation.
“Differences in moon sighting locations are not considered, based on the general ruling: ‘Fast when you see the crescent, and break your fast when you see it” (Agreed upon). The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: ‘Your fasting is the day you fast, your Eid al-Fitr is the day you break your fast, and your Eid al-Adha is the day you offer your sacrifice.’ (Reported by Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi, who authenticated it).”
Based on the above facts, the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland announced the following:
“Precise astronomical calculations for the crescent moon of Ramadan 1446 AH confirm that the conjunction (Astronomical New Moon) will occur at 00:45 (12:45 AM) Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on Friday, February 28, 2025, corresponding to 29 Sha’ban 1446 AH, which is 01:45 (1:45 AM) local time in Nigeria.
“Consequently, the crescent moon will be visible after sunset on 29 Sha’ban 1446 AH equivalent of 28 February 2025 in various parts of the world, either with the naked eye or through telescopes and observation devices.
*Therefore, the first day of the blessed month of Ramadan 1446 AH will, Insha Allah, be Saturday, March 1, 2025, with the first Taraweeh prayer (Ashamu or Ashari) coming up on Friday night, February 28, 2025, Insha Allah.
“We ask Allah Almighty to unite our ranks, bring us together in harmony, and accept our righteous deeds.”
The announcement contradicts the stance of the Sultan of Sokoto who considers himself the leader of Muslims in Nigeria and the one responsible for announcing moon sightings and fasting commencement.
However, the Sultan’s claim has been of late questioned and rejected by Yoruba people in the Southwest who say they don’t recognize him as such, adding that they are not obligated by any temet of Islam to see him as their leader.
This was after the Sultan frowned at the push back against the establishment of Sharia Court and Sharia panels in the Southwest by Muslims, Christians and traditionalists.
Since then, Yoruba people have been implementing measures to erase whatever notion gives the Sultan the impression of being an overlord of the Southwest.
