generally provide a sound basis for judgment, because it is counteracted by the ascendant of the time and other impediments. They say that astrological judgments rest on intuition and conjecture.

We therefore explain to them that their claims concerning the sighting of the crescent and their astrological judgments belong to the same category. Rational evidence establishes that these matters cannot be determined precisely, while scriptural evidence establishes that such practices are forbidden. The Book and wisdom with which Allah sent Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, make us independent of whatever benefit we suppose these practices might offer.

This is why it has been said that their discourse consists either of true knowledge that brings no benefit—and we seek refuge in Allah from knowledge that brings no benefit—or of false conjectures that cannot be trusted; and some conjecture is sinful. Whoever said this spoke the truth. When someone engaged in calculation wears himself out calculating minutes and seconds, the most he achieves is something of no benefit. They undertake this toil only for the sake of astrological judgments, which are false conjectures.

As for discourse concerning matters of religious law, if it yields certain knowledge, it brings benefit in this world and the Hereafter. If it yields a probable judgment—such as ruling on the testimony of two witnesses or acting upon preponderant probabilistic evidence—then this is action based on knowledge. It is a probable judgment for which one is rewarded in this world and the Hereafter.

“Praise be to Allah, who has guided us to this. We would never have been guided had Allah not guided us. The messengers of our Lord certainly came with the truth.”

This is the end of what was found. May Allah bless Muhammad and his family and grant them peace.