Harmonization of Sharia and Science: The Dialectics of Determining the Hijri Calendar in Indonesia
Keywords:
Falak, hilāl, hijri monthAbstract
In Indonesia, establishing when each Hijri month commences has become a source of ongoing disagreement, particularly among prominent Islamic institutions like Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, alongside governmental bodies including the Ministry of Religion. These divergent perspectives stem from variations in the methodologies and criteria employed for hilal (new crescent) sighting, which signals the start of lunar months. This study explores how Islamic jurisprudence and astronomical science interact within Indonesia’s framework for determining lunar month beginnings. By employing a literature review that integrates both scientific and theological perspectives, three distinct types of interaction between Islamic law and astronomy emerge. Initially, astronomical knowledge functions as a bridge, converting jurisprudential principles into empirically verifiable standards for identifying when Hijri months begin. This demonstrates how these two fields depend on one another to reach conclusions grounded in both religious teaching and observable data. Additionally, Indonesia’s process for establishing lunar month commencements reveals intricate connections between jurisprudence and science, characterized by varied viewpoints among religious scholars and scientists regarding crescent observation criteria. Finally, Islamic jurisprudence provides authoritative validation for astronomical findings in rukyatul hilāl practices by establishing a witness framework, wherein fiqh scholars define witness qualifications and employ sworn testimony to authenticate empirical scientific evidence confirming lunar visibility. This study offers comprehensive insight into the multifaceted interplay between Islamic law and astronomy in Indonesia’s determination of Hijri month beginnings.
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