Study of Islamic Astronomics: Methods and Criteria of Rukyat Hisab Determining the Beginning of the Month in Libya

Abstract

Hisab and Rukyat are two methods of determining the beginning of the month of the Islamic calendar, where the result of the determination will be the Hijri or Qamariyah calendar. Often differences of opinion and determination regarding the determination of the beginning of the month of Qamariyah occur in various countries due to differences in latitude and longitude, weather conditions, provisions of government authority, to the agreement on the criteria for the new moon. It is quite unsurprising that polemics often occur and can be used as a lesson by examining more deeply the criteria for the new moon and the methods used by each country in correlation with the provisions of other countries with a fairly close regional zone. Issues that have reached the realm of ijtihadiy because each country has its own rules and regulations. Libyan Center for Remote Sensing and Space Science (LCRSSS), which is dedicated to research on remote sensing, outer space, and earthquake science, has provided more than 5 research stations to date. The Libyan state determines the beginning of the month of Ramadan, Shawwal and Dzulhijjah with reference to the astronomical aspects of the occurrence of the new moon, namely the conjunction (ijtimak) before dawn, which is carried out through a government research organization (LCRSSS).