 |
| Hadhramout - Day Ten Of Ramadhan |
It is cloudy over
Hadhramout, on
the Highlands in particular - where the moon is only visible for a few moments and then disappears behind the clouds. Along the coast and over the vast sandy deserts, its is bright all night until it disappears. Yesterday was the tenth day of Ramahan; and the moon was almost full. The moon is very significant in Islam and to Muslims. All religious occasions and festivities are marked and decided by the Lunar Calendar.
 |
| Hadhramaut - Day Ten Of Ramadhan |
There is even a Surah named after the moon:
Surat Al-Qamar (
سورة القمر). The moon is reflected light of the sun - another very important celestial object for Muslims. In
Surat Al-Furqan - 25:61 - it states:
"Blessed is He who has placed in the sky great stars and placed therein a [burning] lamp and luminous moon."
As for the Sunnah and the Hadiths, since the beginning of Islam, the moon has played a very important role:
"Abu Hurairah narrated:....... Observe fast on sighting it (the new moon) and break (fast) on sighting it (the new moon), but if the sky is cloudy for you, then complete the number (of thirty)." Sunnah
"Abu Hurairah narrated that :.......the Messenger of Allah said: "Count the (the appearances of) the crescent of Sha'ban for Ramadan." Sunnah
As the moon continues its majestic process over the sky, we continue celebrating Ramadan. As always, the people of Hadhramaut and most Hadhramis, wherever they may be - celebrate and observe this most holy of months, with more reverence of The Creator and increased piety.
+ What the Qur'an says about moon
