Saturday 4th May 2024 | Sabt 25th Shawwal 1445 [?]
Crescent Moon Visibility of Muharram 1439 AH

The crescent visibility map below for Muharram 1439 shows that moon will be born on 20 September 2017 at 05:30 GMT/UT, but it will not be visible by the naked-eye anywhere in the UK/Morocco region on that date. However, on 21 September 2017 the moon will be easily visible throughout most of the world. Hence, the month of Muharram is most likely to start from 22 September 2017, InShaAllah.

Visibility Map for Muharram 1439 AH (a)

Visibility Map for Muharram 1439 AH (b)

When to Observe the Crescent Moon of Muharram 1439 AH

Please look for the Hilal of Muharram 1439 AH on 20 September 2017 (29th Dhul Hijjah) after sunset from the western horizon as per Sunnah and report your results (positive or negative) via our website Observation Report Form.

Results of Crescent Moon Observations for Muharram 1439 AH

ICOUK Moon Report

20 Sep 2017
United Kingdom

Bolton

Not seen after sunset: On 20 Sep 2017, ICOUK member Mr Muhammad Arshad Dar from Bolton City in the Lancashire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.

Mr Muhammad Arshad Dar commented: "Sky was totally covered with thick clouds. Crescent was not seen".


London

Not seen after sunset: On 20 Sep 2017, ICOUK member Shaykh Sulayman Gani from London City in the Surrey County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye.

Shaykh Sulayman Gani commented: "The three of us attempted to observe the Hilal from the 3rd floor of Croydon Masjid. The western horizon was totally cloudy ".


York

Not seen after sunset: On 20 Sep 2017, ICOUK member Eng Qamar Uddin from York City in the North Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Totally Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye or Telescope.

Eng Qamar Uddin commented: "On Wednesday 20th September 2017, the Hilal of Muharram 1439 was not sighted from York by naked eye or telescope as it was totally cloudy".


Saudi Arabia

Abha

Not seen after sunset: On 20 Sep 2017, ICOUK member Hafiz Dr Ayyub Patel from Abha City in the Aseer County (Saudi Arabia) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was not seen by Naked-eye or Binoculars.

Hafiz Dr Ayyub Patel commented: "NOT SEEN. heavy clouds on the eastern horizon but [the] western direction was clear. Sunset was at 6.09pm local time and moon set was reported as being 6.29pm. We could NOT see the young crescent by naked eye or binoculars".


21 Sep 2017
United Kingdom

Manchester

Seen after sunset: On 21 Sep 2017, ICOUK member Mr Maqsood Fazel from Manchester City in the Greater Manchester County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye and Binoculars.

Mr Maqsood Fazel commented: "Seen first with binocs then with naked eye. Low and faint due to bright twilight sky".


Preston

Seen after sunset: On 21 Sep 2017, ICOUK member Dr Mohammad Ramtoola from Preston City in the Lancashire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Clear, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye and Binoculars.

Dr Mohammad Ramtoola commented: "Moon was sighted Thursday 21st September at 7.30pm in Lytham and Preston UK. Sky was clear with scattered clouds on the horizon. Moon was easily visible".


York

Seen after sunset: On 21 Sep 2017, ICOUK member Eng Qamar Uddin from York City in the North Yorkshire County (United Kingdom) mentioned that the sky was Partly Cloudy, the crescent was Seen by Naked-eye.

Eng Qamar Uddin commented: "I was traveling away from York today, as the weather forecast was totally cloudy. However, I was surprised to hear from an astronomer colleague (Mike) I was with yesterday (20/9/2017) that he went to the YAS Observatory and was able to sight the moon by naked eye. He used his DSLR camera to take a photo of the horizon before sunset and of the crescent moon (using zoom lens) after sunset. The attached mobile phone photo off camera screen shows the moon in the wrong orientation but it was clearly seen(and it should be about 1 o'clock to 7 o'clock orientation)".


Announcement for start of Muharram 1439 AH

On Wednesday 20th September 2017 (29th Dhul Hijjah 1438 AH) the Hilal of Muharram 1439 was not sighted in the UK/Morocco region. We have also received a negative sighting report from Morocco Awqaf Ministry (login to view).

Therefore, the month of Dhul Hijjah 1438 AH will complete 30-days and the month of Muharram 1439 AH will start from Friday 22nd September 2017, making Ashura (10 Muharram) to fall on Sunday 1st October 2017, InShaAllah.

Significance of Ashura (10 Muharram)
1. Narrated Ibn `Abbas (R): When the Prophet (ﷺ) arrived at Medina he found that the Jews observed fast on the day of 'Ashura'. They were asked the reason for the fast. They replied, "This is the day when Allah caused Moses and the children of Israel to have victory over Pharaoh, so we fast on this day as a sign of glorifying it." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "We are closer to Moses than you." Then he ordered that fasting on this day should be observed. (Bukhari) http://sunnah.com/bukhari/63/168 
2. Abdullah b 'Abbas (R) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had said: If I live till the next (year), I would definitely observe fast on the 9th, and the narration transmitted by Abu Bakr is:" He meant the day of Ashura." (Muslim) http://sunnah.com/muslim/13/173 
3. Abu Qatadah (R) narrated that: the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Fast the Day of Ashura, for indeed I anticipate that Allah will forgive (the sins of) the year before it." (Tirmidhi) https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi/8/71
Note that Saudi Arabia may announce the Muharram hilal on their SPA www.spa.gov.sa website.