Islam and the moon?

Question

I was doing some research on why Mohammad decided to change the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to Mecca when I ran across an Islamic website called http://moonsighting.com/
It's dedicated to lunar statistics in order to fascilitate using the moon as a tool regarding Muslim worship protocols. I was under the impression that this was a pre-Islamic pagan Arab custom. More on that later...but for now, would a knowledgable Muslim apologeticist care to explain to me why the moon is still used to control worship?

Thanks be to God.

Answer 1

"And from among His Signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Do not bow down (prostrate) to the sun nor to the moon, but only bow down (prostrate) to "Allah" Who created them, if you (really) worship Him." [Quran 41:37]

A true Muslim considers Muslims, Jews and Christians to be fellow people of the book under the God of Abraham being that all are children of Abraham. It is true, the moon is a symbol grafted into the religion much like all of the symbols of other religions. We do not worship the symbol, but God. It is like having a picture of your sister - you don't talk to the picture, you call her and talk to her on the phone, but certain things, a picture, a place, maybe a cup you had tea with her, remind you of her, but you cannot communicate with her via the inanimate objects.

Answer 2

The lunar callendar is no less legitimate than the solar callendar. Easter, for example, is determined using the lunar callendar.

It is certainly true that Moon worship was common in pre-muslim arabic society. Indeed, it is even argued by some scholars that the cult of Allah was origianally dedicated to worshipping the moon god (just as the cult of Jehova was origianally dedicated to worshipping a mountain god). However, I'm not sure I understand why the continued use of the lunar callendar (which, by the way is only used in a very limitted sense) casts any aspertions on Islam. God made the moon (according, of course, to theists) so why not use it to determine, for example, the length of a festival?

Answer 3

The reason the Moon has precedence is becuase the Muslim calendar is based on moon cycles and does not rely the sun. Chrisitianity did the same thing with its calander be following the Roman solar model. Thsi is the only reason. As for the Crescent as an Islamic symbol: God is seen as a guiding light and in Arabia, a country where one must travel at night if at all, the moon is their only guide to where they are going. It is a symbol of God's guidance. This symbol is not official however and is not accepted by Islamic scholars becuase they do not see Islam as needing symbols. It was also used as the herald of the Ottoman Empire which came to symbolize Islam to most Europeans in the last few centuries.

Answer 4

I am obviously NOT a Muslim.

However I can explain to you that many religions use the lunar calendar, for fixing the dates of religious holy days and other important occasions. It is an ancient tradition and is followed by the Chinese and the Jews as well as the Muslims. For many people in the world, the phases of the moon are very significant. This is a knowledge lost in the decadent west, especially in the cities, where the nights are full of light contamination.

Answer 5

Muslims use the Lunar calender to count days like the United States uses the Solar Calender to determine holidays like Labor Day, or Christmas. The moon sighting is for Ramamdan, Ramamdan occurs the ninth month, we know Ramadan is here when the moon is full. When have no way of knowin this by using the Solar calender. As for prayer we use regular time. Here are some Chapter from the Quran about this. Hope it helps.
The Abrahamic religions uses the moon rather then the sun to count days as far as holidays.

[2:189] They ask you about the phases of the moon! Say, "They provide a timing device for the people, and determine the time of Hajj." It is not righteous to beat around the bush;* righteousness is attained by upholding the commandments and by being straightforward. You shall observe GOD, that you may succeed.

[2:185] Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. GOD wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify GOD for guiding you, and to express your appreciation.

Answer 6

You did not understand moon sighting this is certain. Muslims don't worship moon or moon gods as some morons here try to claim.

Islam calendar is based on Lunar crescent sightings and the prayers timings are calculated using the Sun position during the day.

Answer 7

You seem to have issues about Islam. You need to get that monkey off your back and do something constructive.

For instance, find out a bit about Christianity, since you seem so keen on it. Do you not know how the date of Easter is calculated? Go to the link below, and explain why the Moon is acceptable for controlling Christian worship but a pagan myth when it comes to other people's.

[FYI, I'm a "strong" atheist, and that's because I know more about other religions than most practitioners of them do.]

Answer 8

why dont you continue your research? or is it easier to read an Article and come running to Yahoo to ask people and get a good laugh from those who wanna insult Islam and Muslims?!!

dear tony,
if you are truly looking for the truth then continue your research!!

you will understand all those customs and where they came from.

and for the last time! Muslims do not worship the moon.
who would deny their god, think about it.

Answer 9

Islam
Allah before Islam, was worshippped by the Arabs as the moon God.
The crescent moon is still utilised in their imagery.
Just as the cross was grafted into Christendom, the Moon has been adopted by Islam.

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Answer 10

pwart not interested in muslim etc