SYAR’I AND ASTRONOMY INTEGRATION TO DETERMINE THE BEGINNING OF HIJRI CALENDAR: A Study of Elongation to Prove the Hilâl Testimony

Abstract

This article was motivated by the fact that most observers in Indonesia are inconsistent in determining the theoretical and practical beginning of the Hijri month. They only consider the aspect of the height of hilâl, but ignore the angle of elongation during the process of observing hilâl. This inconsistency occurs in the theory and practice reflected in the Decision of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. Based on this case, the authors want to analyze the decision, especially the data on the testimony stating that the new moon (hilâl) can be successfully seen, as received from 1962 - 2021 M. The type of research used is qualitative and descriptive using the data analysis technique adapted from the Millis and Huberman theory to obtain the data classification of that decision by using the scientific cum doctrine approach. The results of this study are first; the number of ithbât maṣlaḥî reached 45% and ithbât takâmulî reached 55% of all decrees of the Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. Second; to minimize the number of ithbât maṣlaḥî, a theory of the selection of the hilâl testimony is needed, which is known as the M2P theory.

Digital Hilal Observation: Evaluating the Authenticity of Hilal Testimonials in Indonesia Using the Digistar-6 Planetarium System

“…Additionally, previous research by the author has found many accepted hilal testimonies documented in the decisions whose authenticity is questionable, accounting for 45.5% of all hilal confirmations from 1962-2021 (Nurkhanif et al, 2022). Nearly 90% of this 45.5% lack physical evidence of the hilal (Nurkhanif et al, 2022). However, the hypothesis from these research findings is limited to the reevaluation of astronomical hilal data and does not yet present physical data on the shape of the hilal.…”

“…Upon examination, it appears that there are indications of inconsistencies within the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Indonesia, as stated in the content of the decisions, particularly regarding the consistent application of the conditions under which the hilal can be seen, in accordance with the criteria of imkan al-rukyat that are still agreed upon and applied in Indonesia. Additionally, previous research by the author has found many accepted hilal testimonies documented in the decisions whose authenticity is questionable, accounting for 45.5% of all hilal confirmations from 1962-2021 (Nurkhanif et al, 2022). Nearly 90% of this 45.5% lack physical evidence of the hilal (Nurkhanif et al, 2022).…”

“…In some countries, especially those with a Muslim-majority population like Indonesia, the Ministry of Religious Affairs often holds a Hilal Sighting Confirmation Session. This session is a meeting or forum convened to determine the start of the Hijri lunar month based on moon observation (Nurkhanif et al, 2022).…”