The Hijri calendar is calculated by looking at the moon. A new month of the Hijri calendar begins when the new moon rises. Many rules of Islam have to be observed according to this calendar date. So it is important for Muslims to keep track of the Hijri calendar, to see if the new moon rises at the beginning of the month, to keep the news. Allah says in the Qur’an:
The
They ask you about the new moon. Say, it is a time-determiner for people and Hajj. (Surah Baqarah: 189)
Nabiji (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to pray when he saw the new moon. It is the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to recite this dua after seeing the new moon of any Arabic month including Zilhaj, Ramadan, Shawwal.
Talha Ibn Ubaidullah (R.A.) said, Nabiji (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) used to say when he saw the new moon,
God bless you
Pronunciation: Allahumma ahillahu alayna bil amni wal imani wassalamati wal islami rabbi wa rabbukallahu
Meaning: O Allah! May this new moon rise with safety, faith, peace and Islam. (O Moon!) My Lord and your Lord are one God. (Sunan at-Tirmidhi: 3451)
In Sunan al-Darimi, the supplication is also narrated from Ibn Umar (RA):
God bless you رَبُّكَ اللَّهُ
Pronunciation: Allahu Akbar. Allahumma ahillahu alayna bil amni wal iman; Was Salamati Wal Islam; Wat tawfiqi lima yuhibbu rabbuna wa yarza. Rabbana wa Rabbukallah.
Meaning: God is great, O God! May this new moon rise with our safety, faith, peace and Islam. And allow us to do what You love and so that You are satisfied. (O Moon) Our Lord and your Lord is one God. (Sunan Daremi: 1724)
We can recite any one of the above supplications following the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) on seeing the new moon of Zilhaj.
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