165 / WHAT TO SAY UPON SIGHTING THE CRESCENT MOON

The sunnah contains a supplication that a Muslim is encouraged to say upon sighting the crescent moon of each month. In it, one asks the Lord—glorified is He—to make the month whose crescent has appeared a month of blessing, faith, safety, and Islam. It is a blessed supplication that a Muslim would do well to make whenever he sees the crescent moon.

Al-Tirmidhī narrated from Talha—may Allah be pleased with him—that “when the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—saw the crescent moon, he would say: ‘O Allah, cause it to rise over us with blessing and faith, safety and Islam. My Lord and your Lord is Allah.’”1

Before examining the meanings of this blessed supplication, let us pause briefly to contemplate this magnificent sign, which testifies to the greatness of the Lord—glorified is He—and the perfection of His power. Ibn al-Qayyim—may Allah have mercy on him—said:

“Consider the moon and the wondrous signs it contains: how Allah first reveals it as a slender thread, after which its light increases and is gradually perfected night after night until it becomes full, complete, and perfect. It then begins to wane until it returns to its original state. Through this, people’s appointed times in their livelihoods, acts of worship, and rites are made known; months and years are distinguished; and the reckoning of the world is established—all in addition to the wisdoms, signs, and lessons it contains, which none can enumerate but Allah.”2 End quote.

Allah has counted this among His tremendous signs and mighty proofs in the Noble Quran. Allah Most High says: “A sign for them is the night: We strip the day from it, and suddenly they are in darkness. The sun travels toward its appointed destination. That is the decree of the Almighty, the All-Knowing. As for the moon, We have ordained for it