Unification of Hijri Calendar Under One Maṭla’ : A Case Study of MABIMS Through the Lens of Islamic Jurisprudence and Astronomy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22452/fiqh.vol22no2.7Keywords:
Hijri Calendar, MABIMS, Imkān al-Ru’yah, Islamic JurisprudenceAbstract
The pursuit of a unified Hijri calendar among MABIMS countries (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore) reflects a long-standing goal of fostering regional religious cohesion. While these nations have reached technical consensus on the Imkān al-Ru’yah criterion, specifically a minimum lunar altitude of 3° and elongation of 6.4°, the calendar remains unstandardized due to persistent differences in national practice. Brunei emphasizes local ru’yah (moon sighting), Indonesia employs the wilāyah al-ḥukmi (legal authority) concept, Malaysia integrates both ḥisāb (astronomical calculation) and ru’yah, and Singapore relies solely on ḥisāb. This study investigates the central issue: the core barriers to unification are now less about astronomy and more about legal, religious, and administrative factors. Using qualitative methods, including literature reviews and interviews with MABIMS astronomy and administrative experts, the research analyzes data thematically. Key findings highlight three primary obstacles: robust adherence to state religious authority (ūlil amrī), which reinforces national sovereignty in calendrical decisions; limited infrastructure for real-time sharing of ru’yah data and harmonization of regional fatwas; and varying jurisprudential interpretations concerning maṭla‘ (local horizon) and crescent visibility, each rooted in distinct legal traditions. These factors influence both policy and public perception, hindering unified implementation despite shared astronomical standards. To overcome these challenges, the paper suggests extending the wilāyah al-ḥukmi concept regionally, establishing formal mechanisms for data exchange, and gradually aligning fatwa structures. By synthesizing and organizing existing approaches, the study offers a practical roadmap for integrating fiqh and astronomy to achieve calendar unification within the MABIMS context.
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