|
Why Do We Still Look for the New Moon to Begin Hari Raya?
|
1 |
|
This practice originates from the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), where Muslims were instructed to begin fasting and end fasting upon sighting the new moon.
|
2 |
|
Because of this, moon sighting remains an important part of determining key Islamic dates, including:
|
2 |
|
the beginning of Ramadan;
|
2 |
|
Hari Raya Aidilfitri; and
|
2 |
|
Hari Raya Aidiladha.
|
2 |
|
In Malaysia, the process of observing the new moon is carried out in an organised and official manner.
|
2 |
|
The observation is conducted by the State Moon Sighting (Rukyah) Committees at 29 official observation locations across the country.
|
2 |
|
These sessions are led by the State Mufti, together with Islamic astronomy experts and officers from the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (JUPEM).
|
2 |
|
The observation sites are usually located in coastal areas or elevated locations that provide a clear view of the western horizon during sunset.
|
2 |
|
Once the observations are completed and reports are compiled, the findings are presented to the relevant authorities.
|
2 |
|
The official declaration of the beginning of Ramadan, Syawal or Zulhijjah is then made by the Office of the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, and announced to the nation through an official broadcast.
|
2 |
|
Can We Just Use a Telescope?
|
2 |
|
A common question people ask is whether moon sighting can be done simply by looking through a telescope.
|
2 |
|
The answer is YES. Telescopes and modern astronomical instruments are often used to assist the observation process.
|
2 |
|
These tools help observers detect the very thin crescent moon that may be difficult to see with the naked eye.
|
2 |
|
However, the process is not as simple as pointing a telescope at the sky.
|
2 |
|
Observers must consider several important factors, including:
|
2 |
|
the position of the moon
|
2 |
|
the angle between the sun and the moon
|
2 |
|
the altitude of the moon above the horizon
|
2 |
|
weather conditions such as clouds or haze.
|
2 |
|
All these factors determine whether the crescent moon can actually be seen. Interestingly, the crescent moon we look for during Ramadan or Syawal is not actually the first new moon.
|
2 |
|
In astronomy, the new moon phase occurs when the moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun. At that moment, the side of the moon facing Earth is completely dark.
|
2 |
|
This means the moon cannot be seen at all.
|
2 |
|
The crescent that Muslims attempt to observe is actually the first visible sliver of light that appears after the new moon phase.
|
2 |
|
Sometimes this crescent is extremely thin, only about one percent illuminated and may only remain visible for a few minutes after sunset before it sets again.
|
2 |
|
That is why moon sighting can sometimes be challenging.
|
2 |
|
Even slight differences in weather, haze or the moon’s position can affect whether the crescent becomes visible.
|
2 |
|
If We Already Have a Calendar, Why Do We Still Look for the Moon?
|
2 |
|
At this point, many people might ask a simple question.
|
2 |
|
If the Islamic calendar already exists and scientists can calculate the position of the moon accurately, why do we still need to observe the crescent moon?
|
2 |
|
The answer lies in the combination of religious tradition and scientific knowledge.
|
2 |
|
Astronomical calculations can predict when the moon will appear above the horizon and whether it is likely to be visible. These calculations are used to produce the Islamic calendar that many people refer to throughout the year.
|
2 |
|
However, in Islamic tradition, the beginning of certain months especially Ramadan, Syawal and Zulhijjah is closely linked to the actual sighting of the crescent moon, as practised since the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
|
2 |
|
Because of this, Malaysia adopts an approach that combines calculation and observation.
|
3 |
|
Astronomical data helps determine whether the moon has reached the necessary position to be visible, while the official moon sighting confirms whether the crescent can actually be observed.
|
3 |
|
In other words, the calendar provides a strong prediction, but the moon sighting remains an important final confirmation.
|
3 |
|
Modern astronomy allows scientists to calculate the position of the moon with remarkable precision.
|
3 |
|
Astronomers can predict:
|
3 |
|
when the moon will rise above the horizon
|
3 |
|
how long it will remain visible
|
3 |
|
how bright the crescent will appear.
|
3 |
|
Because of this, Malaysia uses a combination of astronomical calculations and physical observation, an approach commonly referred to as rukyah and hisab.
|
3 |
|
This ensures that the determination of Islamic months remains both scientifically informed and religiously grounded.
|
3 |
|
For many Malaysians, the moon sighting announcement has become a familiar moment every year.
|
3 |
|
Families gather around the television after Maghrib.
|
3 |
|
Children listen closely.
|
3 |
|
Adults begin calculating whether they need to take leave from work the next day.
|
3 |
|
When the announcement finally confirms the start of Syawal, the excitement begins.
|
3 |
|
Last-minute preparations continue late into the night and the next morning, Hari Raya begins.
|
3 |
|
Every year, as Malaysians wait for the official announcement, a playful question often appears in family WhatsApp groups or casual conversations at home: “Will it be a surprise Raya this year?”
|
3 |
|
Sometimes, even with all the calendars, predictions and preparations, the final answer still depends on a thin crescent moon quietly appearing in the evening sky.
|
3 |
|
Dr. Diyana Hassim Head of Corporate Communications Public Service Department
|
3 |
|
Mengapa Kita Masih Melihat Anak Bulan Untuk Menentukan Hari Raya?
|
4 |
|
Oleh sebab itu, cerapan anak bulan menjadi perkara penting dalam menentukan beberapa tarikh utama dalam Islam seperti:
|
5 |
|
permulaan Ramadan;
|
5 |
|
Hari Raya Aidilfitri; dan
|
5 |
|
Hari Raya Aidiladha.
|
5 |
|
Di Malaysia, proses melihat anak bulan dilakukan secara tersusun dan rasmi.
|
5 |
|
Cerapan anak bulan dijalankan oleh Jawatankuasa Melihat Anak Bulan/ Rukyah Negeri di 29 lokasi rasmi di seluruh negara.
|
5 |
|
Proses ini diketuai oleh Mufti Negeri, bersama pakar falak serta pegawai daripada Jabatan Ukur dan Pemetaan Malaysia (JUPEM).
|
5 |
|
Lokasi cerapan biasanya dipilih di kawasan pantai atau kawasan tinggi yang mempunyai pandangan jelas ke arah ufuk barat ketika matahari terbenam.
|
5 |
|
Selepas cerapan dilakukan dan laporan dikumpulkan, keputusan akan dipersembahkan kepada pihak berkuasa berkaitan.
|
5 |
|
Pengisytiharan rasmi mengenai permulaan Ramadan, Syawal atau Zulhijjah kemudiannya dibuat oleh Pejabat Penyimpan Mohor Besar Raja-Raja, yang akan mengumumkannya kepada seluruh negara melalui siaran rasmi.
|
5 |
|
Bolehkah Kita Menggunakan Teleskop?
|
5 |
|
Ramai juga yang tertanya-tanya sama ada cerapan anak bulan boleh dilakukan hanya dengan menggunakan teleskop.
|
5 |
|
Jawapannya ialah YA. Teleskop dan peralatan astronomi moden memang digunakan untuk membantu proses cerapan.
|
5 |
|
Peralatan ini membantu mengesan anak bulan yang sangat nipis dan sukar dilihat dengan mata kasar.
|
5 |
|
Namun prosesnya tidak semudah menghalakan teleskop ke langit.
|
5 |
|
Para pencerap perlu mengambil kira beberapa faktor penting seperti:
|
5 |
|
kedudukan bulan
|
5 |
|
sudut antara matahari dan bulan
|
5 |
|
ketinggian bulan dari ufuk
|
5 |
|
keadaan cuaca seperti awan atau jerebu.
|
5 |
|
Semua faktor ini akan menentukan sama ada anak bulan boleh dilihat atau tidak.
|
5 |
|
Satu perkara menarik yang mungkin ramai tidak sedar ialah anak bulan yang dicerap sebenarnya bukanlah bulan baharu yang pertama.
|
5 |
|
Dalam astronomi, fasa bulan baharu berlaku apabila bulan berada di antara bumi dan matahari. Pada ketika itu, bahagian bulan yang menghadap bumi berada dalam keadaan gelap sepenuhnya.
|
5 |
|
Ini bermakna bulan tidak dapat dilihat langsung dari bumi.
|
5 |
|
Anak bulan yang dicari oleh umat Islam sebenarnya ialah lengkungan cahaya pertama yang muncul selepas fasa bulan baharu.
|
5 |
|
Kadangkala anak bulan ini sangat nipis, hanya sekitar satu peratus sahaja yang diterangi cahaya matahari.
|
5 |
|
Ia juga mungkin hanya kelihatan beberapa minit sahaja selepas matahari terbenam sebelum bulan terbenam kembali.
|
5 |
|
Sebab itulah proses melihat anak bulan kadangkala menjadi mencabar.
|
5 |
|
Perbezaan kecil dalam keadaan cuaca, jerebu atau kedudukan bulan boleh menentukan sama ada ia kelihatan atau tidak.
|
5 |
|
Jika Sudah Ada Kalendar, Mengapa Masih Melihat Anak Bulan?
|
5 |
|
Pada ketika ini, mungkin timbul satu persoalan.
|
5 |
|
Jika kalendar Islam sudah wujud dan saintis boleh mengira kedudukan bulan dengan tepat, mengapa kita masih perlu melihat anak bulan?
|
5 |
|
Jawapannya terletak pada gabungan tradisi agama dan ilmu sains.
|
5 |
|
Pengiraan astronomi mampu meramal bila bulan akan berada di atas ufuk dan sama ada ia berpotensi untuk dilihat. Pengiraan inilah yang digunakan untuk menyediakan kalendar Islam yang sering dirujuk sepanjang tahun.
|
5 |
|
Namun dalam tradisi Islam, permulaan bulan tertentu khususnya Ramadan, Syawal dan Zulhijjah masih dikaitkan dengan penglihatan sebenar anak bulan, sebagaimana yang diamalkan sejak zaman Nabi Muhammad SAW.
|
5 |
|
Oleh sebab itu, Malaysia menggunakan pendekatan gabungan antara hisab (pengiraan astronomi) dan rukyah (cerapan anak bulan).
|
5 |
|
Pengiraan astronomi membantu menentukan kemungkinan anak bulan boleh dilihat, manakala cerapan rasmi menjadi pengesahan akhir.
|
6 |
|
Astronomi moden membolehkan saintis mengira kedudukan bulan dengan sangat tepat.
|
6 |
|
Ahli astronomi boleh meramalkan:
|
6 |
|
bila bulan akan muncul di atas ufuk
|
6 |
|
berapa lama ia akan berada di langit
|
6 |
|
seberapa terang anak bulan itu akan kelihatan.
|
6 |
|
Atas sebab itu, Malaysia menggabungkan pengiraan astronomi dan cerapan sebenar, yang dikenali sebagai kaedah rukyah dan hisab.
|
6 |
|
Pendekatan ini memastikan penentuan bulan Islam dilakukan secara selaras dengan ilmu sains serta prinsip agama.
|
6 |
|
Bagi ramai rakyat Malaysia, pengumuman melihat anak bulan sudah menjadi satu saat yang sangat biasa setiap tahun.
|
6 |
|
Keluarga berkumpul di hadapan televisyen selepas waktu Maghrib.
|
6 |
|
Kanak-kanak menunggu dengan penuh rasa ingin tahu.
|
6 |
|
Orang dewasa pula mula mengira sama ada perlu mengambil cuti keesokan harinya.
|
6 |
|
Apabila pengumuman dibuat bahawa Syawal telah bermula, kegembiraan pun bermula.
|
6 |
|
Persiapan saat akhir diteruskan hingga lewat malam dan keesokan paginya, Hari Raya pun disambut.
|
6 |
|
Setiap tahun juga, ketika rakyat Malaysia menunggu pengumuman tersebut, biasanya akan muncul satu soalan yang agak lucu.
|
6 |
|
“Raya terkejut ke tahun ni?”
|
6 |
|
Kadangkala, walaupun dengan semua kalendar, pengiraan dan persiapan jawapan akhirnya masih bergantung kepada satu lengkungan cahaya kecil di langit senja.
|
6 |
|
Dr. Diyana Hassim Ketua Komunikasi Korporat Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam
|
6 |