Eid, moonsighting & rebellion

Narrator: Abdullah ibn Abbas

Sahih Muslim

Hadith_No 2391

Kurayb said: Umm Fadl, daughter of Harith, sent him (Fadl, i.e. her son) to Mu'awiyah in Syria. I (Fadl) arrived in Syria, and did the needful for her. It was there in Syria that the month of Ramadan commenced. I saw the new moon (of Ramadan) on Friday. I then came back to Medina at the end of the month. Abdullah ibn Abbas asked me (about the new moon of Ramadan) and said: When did you see it? I said: We saw it on Friday night. He said: (Did) you see it yourself? I said: Yes, and the people also saw it so they observed fast and Mu'awiyah also observed fast. Thereupon he said: But we saw it on Saturday night. So we shall continue to observe the fast until we complete thirty (fasts) or we see it (the new moon of Shawwal). I said: Is the sighting of the moon by Mu'awiyah not valid for you? He said: No; this is how the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has commanded us. Yahya ibn Yahya was in doubt (whether the word used in the narration by Kurayb) was Naktafi or Taktafi.

Narrator: Ibn 'Umar

Sahih Bukhari

Hadith 2:359

When 'Abdullah bin Ubai (the chief of hypocrites) died, his son came to the Prophet and said, "O Allah's Apostle, Please give me your shirt to shroud him in it, offer his funeral prayer and ask for Allah's forgiveness for him." So Allah's Apostle (pbuh) gave his shirt to him and said, "Inform me (When the funeral is ready) so that I may offer the funeral prayer." So, he informed him and when the Prophet intended to offer the funeral prayer, 'Umar took hold of his hand and said, "Has Allah not forbidden you to offer the funeral prayer for the hypocrites? The Prophet said, "I have been given the choice for Allah says: '(It does not avail) Whether you (O Muhammad) ask forgiveness for them (hypocrites), or do not ask for forgiveness for them. Even though you ask for their forgiveness seventy times, Allah will not forgive them. (9.80)" So the Prophet offered the funeral prayer and on that the revelation came: "And never (O Muhammad) pray (funeral prayer) for any of them (i.e. hypocrites) that dies." (9. 84)

From the above two ahadith, we need to take a different lesson. 

In the first hadith, Kurayb had a difference of opinion with Abdullah ibn Abbas about the moonsighting. He explained to him his opinion. Ibn Abbas did not accept his opinion. Then what happened? Kurayb celebrated eid on a date picked by Ibn Abbas.

In the second hadith, Umar ibn Khattab had a difference of opinion with the Prophet, pbuh. He vehemently conveyed his opinion to the Prophet so much so he took hold of his hand. The Prophet did not accept his opinion. What did Umar do? He prayed the funeral prayers.

In both cases, there was no rebellion even when there was a difference of opinion. They followed their leaders after their efforts failed.

What do we do these days about eid? The first thing we do is to look for a mosque that celebrates eid on the date you like deserting your community and many times times your family. If you do not find a mosque with the date matching yours, you gather like-minded people and arrange for an eid prayer on your date.  This is in plain words "rebellion," which is haraam. 

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “The best among your rulers are those whom you love and they love you in turn, those who pray (make supplication) for you and you pray for them. The worst of your rulers are those whom you hate and they hate you in turn, and you curse them and they curse you.” 

Someone asked: “O Messenger of Allah! Shall we confront them with swords?” 

The Prophet (pbuh said: “No, as long as they hold prayers among you. If you see from your rulers what you hate, hate the action they do but do not rebel against them.” [Sahîh Muslim] 

Hudhayfah b. al-Yamân asked the Prophet (pbuh): “O Messenger of Allah, we were living in an evil (atmosphere) and Allah brought us good (Islam) and we live in it now. Will there be evil after this good?” 

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Yes.” 

Hudhayfah b. al-Yamân said: “And any good after this evil?” 

He said: “Yes.” 

Hudhayfah b. al-Yamân said: “And any evil after this good?” 

He said: “Yes.” Hudhayfah said: “How will it be?” 

He said: “Rulers after me will come who do not abide by my guidance and Sunnah. Some of their men will have Satan’s heart in a human’s body.” 

Hudhayfah said: “What should I do, O Messenger of Allah, if I live to see that time?” 

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “You should listen and obey them even if the ruler smites your back and takes your wealth.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim] 

Remember, unity is fard. Moonsighting is lesser than fard. Follow your leader and stay with your community. Give up on this idea of holding your own eid salah.

And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided. (The Noble Qur'an, Surah Al-Imran, Vese 103).