MUNJID

MUNJID; A NAQSHABANDIYYA COMPUTATION METHOD

DETERMINING DATE BY SIGHTING OF MOON AND MUNJID COMPUTATION

A.    The Interpretation of Determining Date by Sighting of Moon and Munjid Computation

1.      The Intepretation of Munjid Computation

Munjid1[1] computation is determining of the beginning of lunar month applied by

Naqshabandiyah Sufism in Pauh V, Padang in West-Sumatera. It has a guidance table.

2.      The Interpretation of Determining Date by Sighting of Moon

Determining date by sighting of moon is derived from sighting and moon (crescent). Sighting

is a derived word from راي meant seeing,2[2] namely seeing visually or looking with naked ayes.

3[3] The terminology meaning of it is an activity seeing an object (read: moon/crescent) visually

to establish the limitation of one month with another. 4[4]

B.     The Legal Ground of The Determining Date by Sighting of Moon and Munjid

Computation

1.      The Legal Ground of Munjid Computation

a.       Surah al-Baqarah of Qur’an verse 183:

ا ك�ت�ب� ع�ل�ى الذ�ين� م�ن� ي�ام� ك�م� ن�وا ك�ت�ب� ع�ل�ي�ك�م� الص� ا الذ�ين� آ�م� �ي�ه� ي�ا أ

ون� ب�ل�ك�م� ل�ع�لك�م� ت�تق� ق�

1[1] It is not clear where the munjid name came from. The leader of Naqshabandiyah Pauh V doesn’t know where it was from. But, he said that munjid computation system had used since the first time it came, 1906.

2[2] Aḥmad Warson Munawir, Kamus al-Munawir Arab-Indonesia Terlengkap, (Bandung: Pustaka Progressif, 1997), p. 460.

3[3] Toto Saksono, Mengkrompomikan Hisab dan Rukyat, (Jakarta: Amythas Publitica), p. 84.

4[4] Departemen Agama, Almanak Hisab Rukyat, (Jakarta: Departemen Agama, 1981), p. 15.

Translation: O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those

before you that ye may ward off (evil). (QS. Al-Baqarah [02]: 183)

According to Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V Padang truth, the word of من قبلكم in the

above verse has two interpretations. The first meaning of preceding religious member is the

religious members of prophet Dāud as. They fasted near the whole year. One day fasting and one

day breaking fasting.5[5]

The second interpretation is following the previous year fasting. The Naqshabandiyya Sufism

has it own computation calendar stowing the days to start every month in every year from the

first lunar month year. So, this year fasting only follows the preceding year fasting measuring. It

is just running until the doomsday. 6[6]

b.      Ḥadīth of the prophet saw transmitted by Muslim from ʿImran bin Ḥuṣain:

ع�ب�ة� ع�ن� اب�ن� دث�ن�ا ش� ر- ح� ع�ف� د� ب�ن� ج� م دث�ن�ا م�ح� ث�نى ح� د� ب�ن� ال�م� م دث�ن�ا م�ح� ح�

ان� ب�ن� ر� د�ث� ع�ن� ع�م�33 ا ي�ح�33 ف533 م�ع�ت� م�ط�ر� ال� س�33 ير� ق�33 خ� ف� ب�ن� الش�33 ر� أ�خ�ي م�ط�33

ا م� ي� الله� ع�ن�ه� ض� ي�ن- ر� ص� ل- ه�ل� ح� ج� ال� ل�ر� لم� ق� لى الله� ع�ل�ي�ه� و�س� ن النب�ي ص� أ�

�ذ�ا ه� إ ال� ل�33 ق�33 ال� ف� ال� ال ق� ع�ب�ان� ق� ي�ئ5ا ي�ع�ن�ي ش� ر� ش� ه� ذ�ا الش ر� ه� ر� م�ت� م�ن� س� ص�

ي�ن� )رواه المسلم( و� ي�و�م�ا أ� م� ي�و�م5 ان� ف�ص� م�ض� ت� ر� ]7[7أ�ف�ط�ر�

Translation: did you fast the end of this month (namely Shaʿban)? The man answered; no. Then,

the prophet saw talked; when you finish fasting Ramaḍān so fast two days as s change of them.

(It was transmitted by Muslim)

5[5] Personal interview with Murshīd Syafri Malin Mudo, Padang, 8th and 12th April 2010.

6[6] Personal interview with Murshīd Syafri Malin Mudo.

7[7] Imām Ḥusain Muslim bin Ḥajjāj al-Quṣairy al-Naisabury, Ṣaḥiḥ Muslim, (Beirut: Dar al-Kitab

al- ʿAraby, 2003), p. 455, ḥadīth 2752.

The ḥadīth indicated that Ramaḍān and Sha Shaʿban ban are not separated each other.

2.      The Legal Ground of Determining Date by Sighting of Moon

a.       QS. Yāsin verses 39 and 40:

د�يم� ون� ال�ق� ج� تى ع�اد� ك�ال�ع�ر� ن�از�ل� ح� ن�اه� م� در� م�ر� ق� ال�ق� م�س�.و� ال الش

ل�ك- ار� و�ك�لW ف�ي ف� اب�ق� النه� م�ر� و�ال اللي�ل� س� ا أ�ن� ت�د�ر�ك� ال�ق� ي�ن�ب�غ�ي ل�ه�

ون� )يس: ب�ح� (40-39ي�س�

Translation: and for the moon We have appointed mansions still she return like an old shriveled

palm-lead. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor doth the night outstrip the day the float

each in an orbit. (QS. Yāsin [36]: 39-40).

Allāh direction through his creature (read: moon) was interpreted as a determining date by

sighting of moon method by Naqshabandiyya Sufism followers. They looked at the moon

journey phases to ensure the truth of their computation.

b.      Surah al-Fajr verse 1-5:

ر� ) ج� ال�ف� ر- )1و� ل�ي�ال- ع�ش� ت�ر� )2( و� ال�و� ع� و� ف� ر� )3( و�الش �ذ�ا ي�س� اللي�ل� إ ( و�

ر- )4 ج� مf ل�ذ�ي ح� (5-1( )الفجر: 5( ه�ل� ف�ي ذ�ل�ك� ق�س�

Translation: by the dawn. And ten nights. And the even and the odd. And the night when it

departed. The surely is an oath for thinking man. (QS. Al-Fajr [89]: 1-5).

According to the indication of these verses, determining that by sighting of moon is executed

in the both even and odd nights. The even night meant is the 10 th night. In the night is ensured

whether the shape of moon agrees with it age based on the computation. Whereas determining

date by sighting moon is executed in the 8th night of the month. Determining date by sighting of

moon in the odd night aims to see full moon when it shines in the sky perfectly.

C.    The Method of The Determining Date by Sighting of Moon and Munjid Computation

1.      Munjid Computation

a.       A glance of the Munjid computation

The Naqshabandiyya Sufism doctrines emphasize the unity of God, Islamic law, and taṣawuf

aspects.8[8] The Naqshabandiyya Sufism followers are attentive Shafiʿī school of thought in the

doctrines application. Although they use the Shafiʿī thought but they do not abolish other school

of thoughts. They explore them and compare each other. They study Ḥanafī, Ḥanbalī, and Malikī

thoughts. It is committed to avoid the polemic in the society and claimed the truth one another. 9

[9] The passive attitude of Nqshabandiyya Sufism followers made all elements of it unconcerned

on the fulmination people said about them. Even though the admonition from the government.

One of the differences which often appeared by them is beginning of the lunar month,

Ramaḍān, ʿĪdul Fitri, and ʿĪdul Aḍḥa. The Naqshabandiyya Sufism followers in Pauh V Padang

always either begin the fasting of Ramaḍān or end it earlier from the government decision.

The difference occurred because the method used to establish the beginning of lunar month

has being different from another. The government has been using the actual sighting method

10[10] while Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V Padang has been using a calendar and perfected by

determining date by sighting of moon.11[11]

Naqshabandiyya Sufism calendar named annual almanac Munjid computation method. The

almanac has been applying since the first time it was built by Sheikh H. Muhammad Thāib in

1906 . The annual almanac is a sheet of paper which is full of column and table.12[12] Each

8[8] Fuad Said, Hakikat Tarikat Naqshabandiyah, (Jakarta: PT. Al-Husna Zikra, 1996), p. 6.

9[9] Personal interview with Murshīd Malin Mudo.

10[10] Aḥmad Izzuddin, Fiqih Hisab Rukyat; Menyatukan NU dan Muhammadiyah dalam Penentuan

Awal Ramadhan, ʿĪdul Fitri dan ʿĪdul Aḍḥa, (Jakarta: Erlangga, 2007), p. 91.

11[11] Aḥmad Izzuddin, Fiqih Hisab Rukyat, p. 91.

12[12] Syafri Malin Mudo, Almanak Tahunan Metode Hisab Munjid, Padang: Naqshabandiyah sufism Pauh V, t.th.

column or table is written with the names of month and day. According to the Buya Syafri

information –murshīd of Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V Padang- this almanac was brought by

Sheikh H. Muhammad Thāib from Mecca. 13[13]

Although it was carried from Mecca, there is a possibility that the almanac was written by

Indonesia astronomer, because it has 3 lines of explanations written using Melayu-Arabic letter.

The explanations are:

انله بالعن حسب اهل تقويم, مك هيمفنكن حروفي تاهون دعن

حروفي بوالن ي33ع دكهن33دقكي ايت دعن ب33برافي بيالعن اع33ك ح33روفي

تاهون ايت دان حروفي بوالن ايت, مك دموالي بيالعن فد حاري خمس

هيعك سمفاي بيالعن جمله حروفي بوالن دان باراع افي يع تافت ن33ام

ه33اري دعن فعحابس33ان بيالعن اع33ك ايت بكيت ل33ه سترس33ث س33مفاي

[14]14حاري قيمة.

Read: this is the computation number of the astronomer, so be assemble the year letter and

month letter which looked for with the number of year and the number of month, so count the

number from the Thursday until the end of number lays in the number of month and day. That is

the way until the day.

Syamsul Bahri Khatib, a chairman of the Indonesia Scholars Assembly of Padang

municipality, said that there is a possibility that the almanac formulated by ar-Raniri or ʿAbd.

Rauf.15[15] But, this statement cannot be confirmed yet because Naqshabandiyya Sufism

murshīd doesn’t have the book meant. I also cannot find it. The definite thing, murshīd of

Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V Padang accepted the almanac from his murshīd without calling

where it was from.

13[13] Personal interview with Murshīd Syafri Malin Mudo.

14[14] Syafri Malin Mudo, Almanak Tahunan Metode Hisab Munjid.

15[15] Personal interview with Syamsul Bahri Khatib, Padang, 12th April 2010.

The router of Sheikh Muhammad Thāib and Naqshabandiyya Sufism followers ensures that

whatever their murshīd said is the truth. It must not be called into question again. It just needs to

be followed. The same thing is be valid on the almanac.

b.      Fasting based on the Munjid computation

The annual almanac of Munjid computation method is one of the computation classic

methods which the number of month days are in rotation between 30 and 29. The odd month has

30 days and the even month has 29 days.16[16] The regular rotation has gone on since the 1st of

lunar month year. The decision has not been changed since the first time it was applied in Pauh

V Padang. The following is a number day sequence in every lunar month’s based on

Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V almanac:

The name of month Even/odd

Muḥarram 30

Safar 29

Rabiʿu al-Awal 30

Rabiʿu al-Akhir 29

Rajab 30

Shaʿban 29

Ramaḍān 30

Shawāl 29

Zulkaʿdah 30

Zulḥijjah 29

Table 1. The even and odd of lunar month number (Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V)Taken from: Syafri Malin Mudo, Preparing Ourselves to Welcome Ramaḍān, an article, p. 2

16[16] Syafri Malin Mudo, Almanak Tahunan Metode Hisab Munjid.

Ramaḍān is the 9th of lunar month, so it has 30 days. Because of the previous formulation,

the Naqshabandiyya Sufism followers also fast as long as 30 days in Ramaḍān. They never

fasted 29 days and would never.

According to the explanation of Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V murshīd, fasting as long as

30 days in Ramaḍān is a Muslim obligation based on the surah al-Baqarah verse 183. The word

of من قبلكم (the previous member of a religious community) means the prophet Dāud as.

and his followers. They fasted a day and broke fast a day. The prophet Muhammad saw ever

fasted as the same manner. So what is it the relation with the 30 days fasting?

The prophet Dāud as. fasting is a year fasting. It is a doctrine in the Naqshabandiyya Sufism

Pauh V.17[17] We, the prophet Muhammad saw community, are obligated to do it well.18[18] So

how we can get the same merit?

Their doctrine also refers to the ḥadīth of the prophet saw transmitted by Muslim who

recorded it from Ayyūb:

دث�ه� �نه� ح� ي� الله� ع�ن�ه� أ ض� ار�ي� ر� �ن�ص� �ي�وب� األ� ب�ي أ� ول� الله� ع�ن� أ س� أ�ن ر�

وال- تpا م�ن� ش� �ت�ب�ع�ه� س� ان� ث�م أ م�ض� ام� ر� ال� م�ن� ص� لم� ق� لى الله� ع�ل�ي�ه� و�س� ص�

ر� )رواه المسلم( ي�ام� الده� [19]19ك�ان� ك�ص�

Translation: whoever fast the whole Ramaḍān and added 6 days in Shawāl. So he/she fasted a

year. (It was transmitted by Muslim).

The whole is interpreted as 30 days. The age of Ramaḍān does not refer to the moon

revolution or astronomy calculation. Based on the astronomy, the age of Ramaḍān is not

definite. One time is 29 and another is 30 days.

17[17] Personal interview with Murshīd Syafri Malin Mudo.

18[18] Personal interview with Murshīd Syafri Malin Mudo.

19[19] Imām Ḥusain Muslim bin Ḥajjaj al-Quṣairy al-Naisabury, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, p. 456, ḥadīth 2758.

To get the same merit as the prophet Dāud as fasting, Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V fast

Ramaḍān 30 days as long. The Naqshabandiyya Sufism followers Pauh V ensure that the merit

of previous members of religious community not same with the prophet Muhammad’s saw merit.

The previous community got one merit when he/her did a good deed, yet when we do it, we get

ten merits.

If the age of Ramaḍān is 30 days, so the merits which can be got are:

30 x 10 = 300

In order to be even a year, it is added by 6 days Shawāl fasting. The calculation can be seen

in the following:

6 x 10 = 60

If they are counted up, so:

300 + 60 = 360

A number of lunar month year days are 360, so it is even a year fasting.20[20] The

Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V murshīd, Buya Syafri Malin Mudo, added the other law

background namely ḥadīth of the prophet saw transmittted by Muslim taken from ʿAbdullāh bin

Shaqīq:

ا ي� الله� ع�ن�ه� ض� ة� ر� ل�ت� ل�ع�ائ�ش� ال� ق� يق- ق� ق� أ�ك�ان� ع�ن� ع�ب�د� الله� ب�ن� ش�

ام� ت�ه� ص� ا ع�ل�م� ال�ت� م� ا ك�له� ق� ر5 ه� وم� ش� لم� ي�ص� لى الله� ع�ل�ي�ه� و�س� ول� الله� ص� س� ر�

ان� )رواه المسلم( م�ض� ا ك�له� إ�ال ر� ر5 ه� ]21[21ش�

Translation: I did not know that the prophet fasted a whole month except in Ramaḍān. And I did

not see that he fasted more than fasting in Sha’bān. (It was transmitted by Muslim).

20[20] Syafri Malin Mudo, Mempersiapkan Diri Menyambut Ramadhan, p. 2.

21[21] Imām Ḥusain Muslim bin Ḥajjāj al-Quṣairy al-Naisabury, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, p. 449, hadīth 2718.

To get 360 merits more, Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V followers pray tarawīh as long as

12 times “salam” or 23 “rakaʿāt.” Below is the calculation:

12 x 30 = 360

12 takbir in ʿĪdul Fitri praying symbolized 12 lunar months. If a number of Ramaḍān is only

29 days, so a year merit fasting cannot be got. Doing it means breaking the command written in

the Qurʿan.22[22]

Apart from it, Naqshabandiyya Sufism computation method does not know the leap year. A

number of lunar months are always 29 or 30 days. The leap year concept will break it. So, it will

break it order. Ramaḍān will have 30 days. It contradicts with the main order of fasting done to

get the main purpose, a year fasting merit.

The difference impacts on the beginning and ending of lunar month decision. Certainly,

Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V follower will always start and end one or two days earlier than

others, including the government.

The following question is: how to establish the ʿĪdul Aḍḥā and pilgrimage? It’s sure that the

Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V murshīd cannot send his followers self, because the religious

ministry had mad a decision that the pilgrimage departure must be through the government

legitimate institutions.

On this case, Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V murshīd had decided to gather with the

government program. His follower must obey the government calendar. It is different with the

ʿĪdul Aḍḥā praying committed in Baitul Makmūr prayer-house. ʿĪdul Aḍḥā praying is settled

refers to the annual almanac.

2.      Determining Date by Sighting of Moon in The Style of Naqshabandiyya Pauh V, Padang

22[22] Personal interview with Murshīd Syafri Malin Mudo.

As any other Shafiʿī thought followers, Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V also uses the

determining date by sighting of moon method to establish the beginning of lunar month. Just one

of it has its own method which is different from the ordinary method known by society.

Determining date by sighting of moon method of Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V is an

interpretation of the surah Yāsin verses 39-4023[23]. They explained that the moon has its own

path in the space. It rotates and gets revolution around the earth. It journey cases it shape

changeable. It is looked from the earth surface. There is a time when it gets the perfect shine

from the sun and it comes as a full moon. And there is the other time when its shape looks like a

sickle, it is named a crescent. The new lunar month based on the Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V

is old crescent.24[24]

To see the moon journey phases, Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V refers to surah al-Fajr

verses 1-5 explained about the dawn, night, even, and odd. Then, Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh

V developed it own determining date by sighting of moon method. They concluded that

determining date by sighting of moon applied when it 8 is days long. It is the even night. And it

is done again when it is 15 days old. It is an odd night. Once more, it is applied when it is left 8

days.

Determining date by sighting of moon is executed in different times. When the moon is 8

days long, it is applied in Maghrib time. A half moon will appear in the fontanel exactly. If it is a

half, so the day is the 8th of the month. But, if it is less than a half, so the day is the 7 th of the

month. In contrary, if it is more than a half, the day is the 9th of the month.

23[23] Personal interview with Murshīd Syafri Malin Mudo.

24[24] The command of fasting is on Ramaḍān. Ramaḍān is Perintah puasa adalah di bulan Ramadhan. Sedangkan Ramaḍan sebenarnya telah ada sebelum dilihatnya hilal. Tentu saja perintah puasa juga berlaku. Look Ibn Abbas, “Penentuan Awal Bulan Qomariyah Menurut Thariqat Naqsyabandi”, in Penentuan Awal Bulan Qomariyah di Indonesia: Seminar Nasional, Yogyakarta: Majelis Tarjih dan Tajdid Pimpinan Pusat Muhammadiyah, p. 2.

The Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V has been maintaining the classic computation and

determining date by sighting of moon as well. It murshīd looks at the moon by the naked eye. He

always can see the moon because it executed when the moon is big enough. It is little

possibilities that moon cannot be looked, even it is rain or cloudy. It is different from the

determining date by sighting of moon method looking at the crescent. The crescent is just a slight

curvature. It is impossible to see using the naked eyes. Apart from it, the Indonesia weather is

unpredicted, sometime rainy, foggy, and bold cloudy, makes the looking at crescent process

complicated.

The government team of establishing the beginning of lunar month now uses the telescope to

look the crescent. If the crescent can be looked, so tomorrow is the first day of the new month. In

contrary, if it cannot be observed, tomorrow is the last day of the month running. It is collateral

with the direction of ḥadīth of the prophet saw transmitted by Bukhāry and Muslim which taken

from Abu Hurairah:

ة� ر� ي�33 ر� �ب�ا ه� م�ع�ت� أ ال� س� ي�اد- ق� د� ب�ن� ز� م دث�ن�ا م�ح� ع�ب�ة� ح� دث�ن�ا ش� دث�ن�ا آد�م� ح� ح�

و �ب�33 ال� أ ال� ق�33 و� ق�لم� أ� لى الله� ع�ل�ي�ه� و�س� ال� النب�ي� ص� ول� ق� ي� الله� ع�ن�ه� ي�ق� ض� ر�

إ�ن� ه� ف�3 ي�ت�3 ؤ� وا ل�ر� ر� أ�ف�ط�3 ه� و� ي�ت�3 ؤ� وم�وا ل�ر� لم� ص�3 ه� و�س�3 لى الله� ع�ل�ي�33 م� ص� اس� ال�ق�

ث�ين� )رواه المسام( ع�ب�ان� ث�ال� دة� ش� ل�وا ع� أ�ك�م� ]25[25غ�ب�ي� ع�ل�ي�ك�م� ف�

Interpretation: the prophet talked; fast when you see the crescent and break fast when you see it,

if it is covered, complete Shaʿbān number become 30 days. (It was transmitted by Bukhāry and

Muslim).

ه� ب�ن� د� الل33 ع- ع�ن� ع�ب�33 اف� كf ع�ن� ن�33 ال�33 دث�ن�ا م� ة� ح� ل�م� دث�ن�ا ع�ب�د� الله� ب�ن� م�س� ح�

ان� م�ض� لم� ذ�ك�ر� ر� لى الله� ع�ل�ي�ه� و�س� ول� الله� ص� س� ا أ�ن ر� م� ي� الله� ع�ن�ه� ض� ر� ر� ع�م�

25[25] Imām Ḥāfizh Abi ʿAbdillāh Ibn Ismāʿīl al-Bukhāry, Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhāry, (Jordan: Bait al-Afkār al-Dauliyah, 2008), p. 212, ḥadīth 1906. And Imām Ḥusain Muslim Bin Ḥajjāj Al-Qushairy Al-Naisabury, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, (Beirut: Dar Al-Kitāb Al- ʿArāby, 2003), p. 422, ḥadīth 2122.

إ�ن� غ�م ه� ف�33 و� ر� تى ت�33 وا ح� ر� ط�33 ا ال�ه�الل� و�ال ت�ف� و� ر� تى ت�33 وم�وا ح� ال� ال ت�ص�33 ف�ق�33

وا ل�ه� )رواه المسلم( د�ر� اق� [26]26ع�ل�ي�ك�م� ف�

Translation: that the prophet saw talked about Ramaḍān and he said; do not you fast before

seeing the crescent and do not break fast before seeing it, so if it is covered on you, estimate it.

(It was transmitted by Bukhāry and Muslim).

Although the prophet ordered to see the crescent clearly,27[27] yet Naqshabandiyya Sufism

Pauh V has a different interpretation. As explained by the Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V

murshīd, seeing moon is not looking at the crescent. But then, it means observing the moon in

the several times just like written in QS. al-Fajr verses 1-5.

To look the crescent is not easy and it can say that it is impossible to see with the naked eye.

Whereas, Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V argues that using of telescope to observe the crescent

creates the untruth. How it can be no? The command in the ḥadīth is fasting when you see the

crescent. When the crescent can be observed using telescope, why it must wait for tomorrow to

fast? Why is not done at night after looking the crescent directly? Is the order to fast after

observing the moon, isn’t it? It does not mean the next morning.28[28]

Looking at the moon using the Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V method can reckon the moon

position. 3 times observing will help know the new lunar month happening and when the

crescent appearing. In such a way that it is not necessary to look the crescent when it occurring.

D.    The Reason and Purposes of Applying The Determining Date by Sighting of Moon and

Munjid Computation

26[26] Imām Ḥāfizh Abi ʿAbdillāh Ibn Ismāʿīl al-Bukhāry, Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhāry, p. 212, ḥadīth 1906.

27[27] Crescent is the moon in its first quarter was a religious symbol from the earliest times and figured. Read Jacob E Safra dan Ilan Yeshua, The New Encyclopedia Britannica vol 3, (USA: Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc, 2002), p. 728.

28[28] Personal interview with murshīd Malin Mudo.

The Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V followers believe in the doctrine explained that obeying

the murshīd or caliph is the most important thing. They hold the principle that murshīd will never

cause them either laps or get lost from the Allah way.

They also ensure that the pursuance is valid in every lines includes in the beginning and

ending of fasting.29[29] Even though they get ray of the government and society, they has not

been aware of. It followers consider that whom must be obeyed is murshīd, because murshīd is

an heir of the prophet. It explained in QS. al-Nisāʾ verse 59:

.. ن�ك�م� أ�ول�ي األ�م�ر� م� ول� و� س� أ�ط�يع�وا الر ن�وا أ�ط�يع�وا الله� و� ا الذ�ين� آ�م� �ي�ه� ي�ا أ

(59: )النساء

Artinya: O ye who believe! Obey Allah and obey the messenger and those of you who are in

authority… (QS. al-Nisāʾ [4]: 59)

Buya Syafri Malin Mudo explained is the Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V اولى االمر

murshīd or scholars, not the government. The previous verse is interpreted using ḥadīth of the

prophet saw transmitted by Abu Dāud taken from Katsīr bin Qois:

ن�ب�ي�اء� )رواه ابو داود(ث�ة� األ� ر� اء� و� إ�ن ال�ع�ل�م� و�

30[30]

Meaning: and the scholars are the heir of the prophet. (It was transmitted by Abu Dāud).

The word اولى االمر meant scholar, so the belief on the murshīd (scholar -author) is a

necessity. The prophet duty to guide his members was over about 14 centuries ago. Since he

29[29] Lian/Syof, Jamaah Naqsyabandiyah Idul Fitri Hari Ini, an article accessed in 25th September 2010 from http://www.padangkini.com/berita/single.php?id=5748.

30[30] Imam Hafizh Abi Daud Sulaiman bin al-Asy’ash al-Sijistani al-Azdi, Sunan Abi Daud, (Beirut: Dar Ibn Hazm, 1998), p. 560, hadith 3641.

died, who must be responsible to his members until the day is the scholar. When the scholars are

not obeyed it means going back on the prophet saw. Disavowing him means against Allah.31[31]

E.     Establishing of The Beginning of Lunar Month Practice

1.      The annual almanac of Munjid computation method

The annual almanac of Munjid Computation becoming guidance for the Naqshabandiyya

Sufism Pauh V to establish the new lunar month is a sheet of paper containing a guidance to

compute. The guidance is ordered by table contained the name of days and months, letter and

digit of the months and years. Clearly, it can be looked below:

د 4 ب 2 و 6 د 4 ز 7 ج 3 ه 5 ا 1 المحرم

احدثلث جمع احد اربعا سب اسني خم المحرم

ز

7ثلث

خم احد ثلث جمع اسني اربعا سب صفار

ب

2اربعا

جمع اسني اربعا سب ثلث خم احد ربع

ج

جمع3ة احد اربعا جمع اسني خم سب ثلث ربع

ه

سب5ت اسني خم سب ثلث جمع احد اربعا جمد

و

اسني6ن اربعا سب اسني خم احد ثلث جمع جمد

ا

1ثلث

خم احد ثلث جمع اسني اربعا سب رجب

ب

خم2س سب ثلث خم احد اربعا جمع اسني سعبان

د

جمع4ة احد اؤبعا جمع اسني خم سب ثلث رمضان

ه

5

31[31] Personal interview with Murshīd Syafri Malin Mudo.

احدثلث جمع احد اربعا سب اسني خم سول

ز

اسني7ن اربعا سب اسني خم احد ثلث جمع ذالقعده

ا

1اربعا

جمع اسني اربعا سب ثلث خم احد ذالحجه

ج

3Table 2. The annual almanac of Munjid Computation

Taken from: The annual almanac of Munjid computation

It can be ensured where it was from. The clear thing is that Buya Syafri Malin Mudo told that

it was brought by Sheikh H. Muhammad Thāib from Mecca. The same information is written on

his article as well. The same annual almanac was endowed by both Sheikh H. Angku ʿAbdul

Munīr and Buya Syafri Malin Mudo.32[32]

As a router of his predecessor, Buya Syafri did not ask about the existence of the annual

almanac of Munjid computation. He received and has been using it to compute as his predecessor

did. Random method of the letter and number arrangement in this table is not clear. But, there are

several things that can be explained, below:33[33]

a.       The first line of which black color, 1-8th columns containing number and Arabic letters (1, 5, 3,

7, 4, 2, and 6) is the digit year.

b.      1st until the last lines, 12 lines, of which gray color consisting Arabic letters and number 7, 2, 3,

5, 6, 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 1, and 3 –looked from up to down are the month numbers.

c.       2 boxes loading bold letters are the first days of Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V community

Ramaḍān fasting in 1430 H and prediction of 1431 H. It was held on Thursday, 20 th August

2009 A.D. It was two days earlier than Computation and determining date by sighting of moon

32[32] Personal interview with Murshīd Syafri Malin Mudo.

33[33] Personal interview with Murshīd Syafri Malin Mudo.

held by Directorate of Religious Ministry decision. The decision meeting decided that Ramaḍān

in 1430 H was held on Saturday, 22nd August 2009.34[34]

d.      2 boxes loading bold-italic letters are the Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V ʿĪdul Fitri celebration

day in 1430 H and prediction of 1431 H. It was held on Saturday, 19 th September 2009, a day

earlier from common people celebrating it on Sunday, 20th September 2009.35[35]

e.       2 boxes loading underline-italic letters are Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V ʿĪdul Aḍḥā

celebration days in 1430 H and prediction of 1431 H.

f.       The box loading bold letter is the prediction of new year 1431 H of Naqshabandiyya Sufism

Pauh V.

g.      The red box, Monday, is the prediction of the beginning of Ramaḍān fasting in 1432 H for

Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V.

h.      The other boxes are the first day of every month of every year in lunar system. It will be valid

until the doomsday.

According to Syamsul Bahri Khatib, Chairman of Indonesia Scholars Committee, the first

line of which black color and the first column counted from right to left in which green color

consisting letters and numbers was ever looked by the prophet when he went to Sidratul

Muntahā. These letters was applied as guidance of arranging this calendar.36[36] But, once more,

its truth can not be authenticated because there is no scientific source explaining it. The news has

been circulating from mouth to mouth, but surprisingly, it is still being a belief.

2.      Computing using the Munjid computation method

34[34] Diah Utami, Tarekat Naqsyabandiyya Kota Padang Hari Ini Sudah Mulai Berpuasa, an article was accessed in 5th September 2009 from http://pro3rri.com/index.php?option=com.

35[35] Teb, Naqsyabandiyya Padang Berlebaran Hari ini, an article was accessed in 25th September 2009 from http://ramadhan.okezone.com/read/2009/09/18/335/258969.

36[36] Personal interview with Syamsul Bahri Khatib.

There are several steps to use the annual almanac of Munjid computation. The steps are:37[37]

a.       Look the year letter which will be found!

Example: 1430 H. Its letter is ج.

b.      Determine the month will be looked!

Example: Ramaḍān. It has a letter ه

c.       Pull the year letter from up to down and pull the month letter from side to center. The

concurrence of them is the beginning of month wanted to seek.

Example:

ج 3

سبت

اسنين

ثلث

خمس

جمعة

احد

اسنين

اربعا

خمس سبت ثلث رمضان ه 5

Table 3. Example of establishing the beginning of Ramaḍān 1430 HTaken from: The annual calendar of Munjid system

The result is Thursday. To know the beginning of the following month on it or following

year, so find in the next line or column. When it reaches the last column (د), so get back to the

first column (ا)! It is just like that until the day.

To examine the truth of this system, it can be looked in the paragraph below:

37[37] Personal interview with Murshīd Syafri Malin Mudo.

a.       Determine the year which will be looked for!

Example: 1430 H

Based on the almanac, the year 1430 H reached in letter ج. It number is 3.

b.      Determine the month!

Example: Ramaḍān

Ramaḍān’s letter is ه. It has digit 5.

c.       Count up the digits!

3 + 5 = 8

d.      Calculate from the Thursday until the 8th digit. Thursday is concluded as a starting point because

it was the first day of the first lunar year system.38[38] The calculation are:

1 Thursday

2 Friday

3 Saturday

4 Sunday

5 Monday

6 Tuesday

7 Wednesday

8 Thursday

Table 4. The example of the day calculations to establish the new monthTaken from: The annual almanac of Munjid system

Other way to determine the beginning of lunar month using annual calendar of Munjid

computation system is Putaran Golek Limo method. The way is simple. Present Ramaḍān

calculation is determined based on last year fasting. The distance between present fasting and

last fasting is always 5 days.

38[38] Maskufa, Ilmu Falak, (Jakarta: UIN Syarif Hidayatullah, 2007), p. 183. Based on counting down until 17 years, Thursday, 15th July 622, was the first day in 1 H. This is computation group argument, because on Wednesday, 14th July 622 A.D. crescent had occurred on the true zone. While determining date by sighting of moon group argued that the first day in lunar month was Friday, 16 th July 622 A.D.

Example: the first day of Ramaḍān in 1430 H was Thursday. It is the stepping time to

determine beginning of next fasting by calculating five days from Thursday.

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Table 5. Putaran Golek Limo Munjid computationTaken from: personal interview with Murshīd Syafri Malin Mudo

The simplest way is continuing the columns calculation in annual calendar Munjid system.

Year 1430 H is year ج, year 1431 H is determined by moving to left column (ز).[39]39

3.      Determining date by sighting of moon in the odd and even nights40[40]

The promoter of Naqshabandiyya Sufism Pauh V looks the moon phases in order to check

the truth of his almanac system. To know whether it is right that the beginning of Ramaḍān

fasting in 1430 H held on Thursday, so determining date by sighting moon is executed since the

8th of Shaʿbān. The next is in the 15th and 8 last day of Shaʿbān 1430 H.

To know what the day of 8th Shaʿbān is, so look at the annual almanac. The following is the

example of establishing day in Shaʿbān which determining date by sighting of moon would be

done on it. It aimed to know the beginning of Ramaḍān in 1430 H.

Example: 1430 H was ج and Shaʿbān was د. Pull toward down from the year ج and unite it

with month د which pulled from the right side.

سبت

39[39] Look at the annual calendar of Munjid computation.

40[40] Personal interview with Murshīd Syafri Malin Mudo.

اسني

ن

ثلث

خمس

جمعة

احد

اسني

ن

اربعا جمعةاسني

ن

سعبا

ند 4

Table 6. The example of establishing the 8th day of Shaʿbān in 1431 H.

Taken from: the annual almanac of Munjid system

Wednesday is the first day of Shaʿbān in 1430 H. The next Wednesday was the 8 th day. On

the second Wednesday, the moon is looked. One week interval, on Wednesday 15 th of Shaʿbān

the full moon was looked at in midnight. And it is committed in the 8th last of Shaʿbān. Three

times of observing moon has to be ensured that the moon is in the properly place. If the

observing moon indicates that the moon phases are right, so the annual almanac system is right

and the Ramaḍān fasting in 1430 H begins on Thursday. If the moon shape is less or more than

the properly, so the calendar is drummed up or backdated accord with the shape of moon.

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