by those who uphold Allah’s proof and clear signs, who bring the dead to life through Allah’s Book and give sight to the blind through its light. For the earth will never be without someone who upholds Allah’s proof, lest His proofs and clear signs be nullified.

What prompted me to offer this “introduction” was that I observed people, both during their month of fasting and at other times, listening to what certain ignorant practitioners of astronomical calculation say about whether the crescent can or cannot be seen. They base their position on this, either inwardly alone or both inwardly and outwardly.

I have even been told of judges who would reject the testimony of a number of upright witnesses because an ignorant, lying practitioner declared that the crescent could or could not be seen. Such a judge would thus be among those who reject the truth when it comes to them. He might also accept the testimony of an unreliable witness on that practitioner’s word, thereby becoming one of those who eagerly listen to falsehood. For the verse encompasses corrupt judges, as the context indicates where He says:

“They eagerly listen to falsehood and consume unlawful gains.”

Corrupt judges accept falsehood from informants or witnesses whose statements may not rightfully be accepted, and they consume unlawful gains through bribes and other means. How often these two go together!

There are also those who accept the astronomer’s statement neither inwardly nor outwardly, yet harbour resentment over the matter and serious misgivings because of their confidence in him: they question why the Sharia has paid no regard to this, especially if they have acquired some knowledge of calculations concerning the sun and moon